Diagonal bond (Masonry), herringbone work. See Herringbone, a. -- Diagonal built (Shipbuilding), built by forming the outer skin of two layers of planking, making angles of about 45° with the keel, in opposite directions. -- Diagonal cleavage. See under Cleavage. -- Diagonal molding (Arch.), a chevron or zigzag molding. -- Diagonal rib. (Arch.) See Cross- springer. -- Diagonal scale, a scale which consists of a set of parallel lines, with other lines crossing them obliquely, so that their intersections furnish smaller subdivisions of the unit of measure than could be conveniently marked on a plain scale. -- Diagonal stratification. (Geol.) Same as Cross bedding, under Cross, a.

Di*ag"o*nal (?), n. 1. A right line drawn from one angle to another not adjacent, of a figure of four or more sides, and dividing it into two parts.

2. (Engin.) A member, in a framed structure, running obliquely across a panel.

3. A diagonal cloth; a kind of cloth having diagonal stripes, ridges, or welts made in the weaving.

Di*ag"o*nal*ly, adv. In a diagonal direction.

Di`a*go"ni*al (?), a. Diagonal; diametrical; hence; diametrically opposed. [Obs.]

Sin can have no tenure by law at all, but is rather an eternal outlaw, and in hostility with law past all atonement; both diagonal contraries, as much allowing one another as day and night together in one hemisphere.

Milton.

Di"a*gram (?), n. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to mark out by lines; dia` through + &?; to draw, write: cf. F. diagramme. See Graphic.] 1. (Geom.) A figure or drawing made to illustrate a statement, or facilitate a demonstration; a plan.

2. Any simple drawing made for mathematical or scientific purposes, or to assist a verbal explanation which refers to it; a mechanical drawing, as distinguished from an artistical one.

Indicator diagram. (Steam Engine) See Indicator card, under indicator

Di"a*gram, v. t. To put into the form of a diagram.

Di`a*gram*mat"ic (?), a. Pertaining to, or of the nature of, a diagram; showing by diagram. -- Di`a*gram*mat"ic*ly (#), adv.

Di"a*graph (?), n. [Gr. &?; to draw: cf. F. diagraphe. See Diagram.] A drawing instrument, combining a protractor and scale.

{ Di`a*graph"ic (?), Di`a*graph"ic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. diagraphique.] Descriptive.

Di`a*graph"ics (?), n. The art or science of descriptive drawing; especially, the art or science of drawing by mechanical appliances and mathematical rule.

Di`a*he`li*o*trop"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; through, at variance + &?; sun + &?; turning.] (Bot.) Relating or, or manifesting, diaheliotropism.

Di`a*he`li*ot"ro*pism (?), n. (Bot.) A tendency of leaves or other organs of plants to have their dorsal surface faced towards the rays of light.

Di"al (?), n. [LL. dialis daily, fr. L. dies day. See Deity.] 1. An instrument, formerly much used for showing the time of day from the shadow of a style or gnomon on a graduated arc or surface; esp., a sundial; but there are lunar and astral dials. The style or gnomon is usually parallel to the earth's axis, but the dial plate may be either horizontal or vertical.

2. The graduated face of a timepiece, on which the time of day is shown by pointers or hands.

3. A miner's compass.

Dial bird (Zoöl.), an Indian bird (Copsychus saularius), allied to the European robin. The name is also given to other related species. -- Dial lock, a lock provided with one or more plates having numbers or letters upon them. These plates must be adjusted in a certain determined way before the lock can be operated. -- Dial plate, the plane or disk of a dial or timepiece on which lines and figures for indicating the time are placed.

Di"al, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dialed (?) or Dialled; p. pr. & vb. n. Dialing or Dialling.] 1. To measure with a dial.

Hours of that true time which is dialed in heaven.

Talfourd.

2. (Mining) To survey with a dial. Raymond.

Di"a*lect (?), n. [F. dialecte, L. dialectus, fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to converse, discourse. See Dialogue.] 1. Means or mode of expressing thoughts; language; tongue; form of speech.

This book is writ in such a dialect
As may the minds of listless men affect.
Bunyan.
The universal dialect of the world.

South.

2. The form of speech of a limited region or people, as distinguished from ether forms nearly related to it; a variety or subdivision of a language; speech characterized by local peculiarities or specific circumstances; as, the Ionic and Attic were dialects of Greece; the Yorkshire dialect; the dialect of the learned.

In the midst of this Babel of dialects there suddenly appeared a standard English language.

Earle.

[Charles V.] could address his subjects from every quarter in their native dialect.

Prescott.

Syn. -- Language; idiom; tongue; speech; phraseology. See Language, and Idiom.

Di`a*lec"tal (?), a. Relating to a dialect; dialectical; as, a dialectical variant.

Di`a*lec"tic (?), n. Same as Dialectics.

Plato placed his dialectic above all sciences.

Liddell & Scott.

{ Di`a*lec"tic (?), Di`a*lec"tic*al (?), } a. [L. dialecticus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. dialectique. See Dialect.] 1. Pertaining to dialectics; logical; argumental.

2. Pertaining to a dialect or to dialects. Earle.

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Di`a*lec"tic*al*ly (?), adv. In a dialectical manner.

Di`a*lec*ti"cian (?), n. [Cf. F. dialecticien.] One versed in dialectics; a logician; a reasoner.

Di`a*lec"tics (?), n. [L. dialectica (sc. ars), Gr. &?; (sc. &?;): cf. F. dialectique.] That branch of logic which teaches the rules and modes of reasoning; the application of logical principles to discursive reasoning; the science or art of discriminating truth from error; logical discussion.

Dialectics was defined by Aristotle to be the method of arguing with probability on any given problem, and of defending a tenet without inconsistency. By Plato, it was used in the following senses: 1. Discussion by dialogue as a method of scientific investigation. 2. The method of investigating the truth by analysis. 3. The science of ideas or of the nature and laws of being -- higher metaphysics. By Kant, it was employed to signify the logic of appearances or illusions, whether these arise from accident or error, or from those necessary limitations which, according to this philosopher, originate in the constitution of the human intellect.

Di`a*lec*tol"o*gy (?), n. [Dialect + -logy.] That branch of philology which is devoted to the consideration of dialects. Beck.

Di`a*lec"tor (?), n. One skilled in dialectics.

Di"al*ing (?), n. 1. The art of constructing dials; the science which treats of measuring time by dials. [Written also dialling.]

2. A method of surveying, especially in mines, in which the bearings of the courses, or the angles which they make with each other, are determined by means of the circumferentor.

Di"al*ist, n. A maker of dials; one skilled in dialing.

||Di*al"la*ge (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; interchange, change, fr. &?; to interchange.] (Rhet.) A figure by which arguments are placed in various points of view, and then turned to one point. Smart.

Di"al*lage (?; 277), n. [Gr. &?; change, alluding to the change and inequality of luster between the natural joints of the mineral.] (Min.) A dark green or bronze-colored laminated variety of pyroxene, common in certain igneous rocks.

Di"al*lel (?), a. [Gr. &?; crossing.] Meeting and intersecting, as lines; not parallel; -- opposed to parallel. [Obs.] Ash.

Di*al"lyl (?), n. (Chem.) A volatile, pungent, liquid hydrocarbon, C₆H₁₀, consisting of two allyl radicals, and belonging to the acetylene series.

Di`a*log"ic*al (?), a. [Gr. &?; belonging to discourse.] Relating to a dialogue; dialogistical. Burton.

Di`a*log"ic*al*ly, adv. In the manner or nature of a dialogue. Goldsmith.

Di*al"o*gism (?), n. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?;: cf. F. dialogisme. See Dialogue.] An imaginary speech or discussion between two or more; dialogue. Fulke.

Di*al"o*gist (?), n. [L. dialogista: cf. F. dialogiste.] 1. A speaker in a dialogue.

2. A writer of dialogues. P. Skelton.

{ Di*al`o*gis"tic (?), Di*al`o*gis"tic*al (?), } a. [Gr. &?;.] Pertaining to a dialogue; having the form or nature of a dialogue. -- Di*al`o*gis"tic*al*ly, adv.

Di*al"o*gite (?), n. [From Gr. &?; an arguing.] (Min.) Native carbonate of manganese; rhodochrosite.

Di*al"o*gize (?), v. t. [Gr. &?;: cf. F. dialogiser.] To discourse in dialogue. Fotherby.

Di"a*logue (?; 115), n. [OE. dialogue, L. dialogus, fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to converse, dia` through + &?; to speak: cf. F. dialogue. See Legend.] 1. A conversation between two or more persons; particularly, a formal conservation in theatrical performances or in scholastic exercises.

2. A written composition in which two or more persons are represented as conversing or reasoning on some topic; as, the Dialogues of Plato.

Di"a*logue, v. i. [Cf. F. dialoguer.] To take part in a dialogue; to dialogize. [R.] Shak.

Di"a*logue, v. t. To express as in dialogue. [R.]

And dialogued for him what he would say.

Shak.

Di`al*y*pet"al*ous (?), a. [Gr. dia` through, asunder + &?; to loose + &?; leaf.] (Bot.) Having separate petals; polypetalous.

||Di*al"y*sis (?), n.; pl. Dialyses (#). [L., separation, fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to part asunder, dissolve; dia` through + &?; to loose.] 1. (Gram.) Diæresis. See Diæresis, 1.

2. (Rhet.) Same as Asyndeton.

3. (Med.) (a) Debility. (b) A solution of continuity; division; separation of parts.

4. (Chem.) The separation of different substances in solution, as crystalloids and colloids, by means of their unequal diffusion, especially through natural or artificial membranes.

Di`a*lyt"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?;. See Dialysis.] Having the quality of unloosing or separating. Clarke.

Dialytic telescope, an achromatic telescope in which the colored dispersion produced by a single object lens of crown glass is corrected by a smaller concave lens, or combination of lenses, of high dispersive power, placed at a distance in the narrower part of the converging cone of rays, usually near the middle of the tube.

Di*al"y*zate (?), n. (Chem.) The material subjected to dialysis.

Di`a*ly*za"tion (?), n. (Chem.) The act or process of dialysis.

Di"a*lyze (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dialyzed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Dialyzing.] (Chem.) To separate, prepare, or obtain, by dialysis or osmose; to pass through an animal membrane; to subject to dialysis. [Written also dialyse.]

Di"a*lyzed (?), a. Prepared by diffusion through an animal membrane; as, dialyzed iron.

Di"a*ly`zer (?), n. The instrument or medium used to effect chemical dialysis.

Di`a*mag"net (?), n. [Pref. dia- + magnet.] A body having diamagnetic polarity.

Di`a*mag*net"ic (?), a. Pertaining to, or exhibiting the phenomena of, diamagnetism; taking, or being of a nature to take, a position at right angles to the lines of magnetic force. See Paramagnetic.

Diamagnetic attraction. See under Attraction.

Di`a*mag*net"ic, n. Any substance, as bismuth, glass, phosphorous, etc., which in a field of magnetic force is differently affected from the ordinary magnetic bodies, as iron; that is, which tends to take a position at right angles to the lines of magnetic force, and is repelled by either pole of the magnet.

Di`a*mag*net"ic*al*ly (?), adv. In the manner of, or according to, diamagnetism.

Di`a*mag"net*ism (?), n. 1. The science which treats of diamagnetic phenomena, and of the properties of diamagnetic bodies.

2. That form or condition of magnetic action which characterizes diamagnetics.

Di`a*man*tif"er*ous (?), a. [F. diamant diamond + -ferous.] Yielding diamonds.

Di`a*man"tine (?), a. Adamantine. [Obs.]

Di*am"e*ter (?), n. [F. diamètre, L. diametros, fr. Gr. &?;; dia` through + &?; measure. See Meter.] 1. (Geom.) (a) Any right line passing through the center of a figure or body, as a circle, conic section, sphere, cube, etc., and terminated by the opposite boundaries; a straight line which bisects a system of parallel chords drawn in a curve. (b) A diametral plane.

2. The length of a straight line through the center of an object from side to side; width; thickness; as, the diameter of a tree or rock.

In an elongated object the diameter is usually taken at right angles to the longer axis.

3. (Arch.) The distance through the lower part of the shaft of a column, used as a standard measure for all parts of the order. See Module.

Conjugate diameters. See under Conjugate.

Di*am"e*tral (?), a. [Gr. F. diamétral.] Pertaining to a diameter; diametrical.

Diametral curve, Diametral surface (Geom.), any line or surface which bisects a system of parallel chords drawn in a curve or surface. -- Diametral planes (Crystal.), planes in which two of the axes lie.

Di*am"e*tral, n. A diameter. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Di*am"e*tral*ly, adv. Diametrically.

{ Di*am"e*tric (?), Di*am"e*tric*al (?), } a. 1. Of or pertaining to a diameter.

2. As remote as possible, as if at the opposite end of a diameter; directly adverse.

Di*am"e*tric*al*ly, adv. In a diametrical manner; directly; as, diametrically opposite.

Whose principles were diametrically opposed to his.

Macaulay.

Di*am"ide (?; 104), n. [Pref. di- + amide.] (Chem.) Any compound containing two amido groups united with one or more acid or negative radicals, -- as distinguished from a diamine. Cf. Amido acid, under Amido, and Acid amide, under Amide.

Di*am"i*do- (&?;), a. (Chem.) A prefix or combining form of Diamine. [Also used adjectively.]

Di*am"ine (?; 104), n. [Pref. di- + amine.] (Chem.) A compound containing two amido groups united with one or more basic or positive radicals, -- as contrasted with a diamide.

In chemical nomenclature, if any amine or diamine is named by prefixing the nitrogen group, the name of the latter takes the form of amido, diamido, etc., thus ethylene diamine, C₂H₄.(NH₂)₂, is also called diamido-ethylene.

Di"a*mond (?; 277), n. [OE. diamaund, diamaunt, F. diamant, corrupted, fr. L. adamas, the hardest iron, steel, diamond, Gr. &?;. Perh. the corruption is due to the influence of Gr. &?; transparent. See Adamant, Tame.] 1. A precious stone or gem excelling in brilliancy and beautiful play of prismatic colors, and remarkable for extreme hardness.

The diamond is native carbon in isometric crystals, often octahedrons with rounded edges. It is usually colorless, but some are yellow, green, blue, and even black. It is the hardest substance known. The diamond as found in nature (called a rough diamond) is cut, for use in jewelry, into various forms with many reflecting faces, or facets, by which its brilliancy is much increased. See Brilliant, Rose. Diamonds are said to be of the first water when very transparent, and of the second or third water as the transparency decreases.

2. A geometrical figure, consisting of four equal straight lines, and having two of the interior angles acute and two obtuse; a rhombus; a lozenge.

3. One of a suit of playing cards, stamped with the figure of a diamond.

4. (Arch.) A pointed projection, like a four-sided pyramid, used for ornament in lines or groups.

5. (Baseball) The infield; the square space, 90 feet on a side, having the bases at its angles.

6. (Print.) The smallest kind of type in English printing, except that called brilliant, which is seldom seen.

This line is printed in the type called Diamond.

Black diamond, coal; (Min.) See Carbonado. -- Bristol diamond. See Bristol stone, under Bristol. -- Diamond beetle (Zoöl.), a large South American weevil (Entimus imperialis), remarkable for its splendid luster and colors, due to minute brilliant scales. -- Diamond bird (Zoöl.), a small Australian bird (Pardalotus punctatus, family Ampelidæ.). It is black, with white spots. -- Diamond drill (Engin.), a rod or tube the end of which is set with black diamonds; -- used for perforating hard substances, esp. for boring in rock. -- Diamond finch (Zoöl.), a small Australian sparrow, often kept in a cage. Its sides are black, with conspicuous white spots, and the rump is bright carmine. -- Diamond groove (Iron Working), a groove of V-section in a roll. -- Diamond mortar (Chem.), a small steel mortar used for pulverizing hard substances. - - Diamond-point tool, a cutting tool whose point is diamond-shaped. -- Diamond snake (Zoöl.), a harmless snake of Australia (Morelia spilotes); the carpet snake. -- Glazier's diamond, a small diamond set in a glazier's tool, for cutting glass.

Di"a*mond (?; 277), a. Resembling a diamond; made of, or abounding in, diamonds; as, a diamond chain; a diamond field.

Di"a*mond-back` (?), n. (Zoöl.) The salt-marsh terrapin of the Atlantic coast (Malacoclemmys palustris).

Di"a*mond*ed, a. 1. Having figures like a diamond or lozenge.

2. Adorned with diamonds; diamondized. Emerson.

Di"a*mond*ize (?), v. t. To set with diamonds; to adorn; to enrich. [R.]

Diamondizing of your subject.

B. Jonson.

Di"a*mond-shaped` (?), a. Shaped like a diamond or rhombus.

Di*am"y*lene (?), n. [Pref. di- + amylene.] (Chem.) A liquid hydrocarbon, C₁₀H₂₀, of the ethylene series, regarded as a polymeric form of amylene.

Di"an (?), a. Diana. [Poetic]

Di*a"na (?), n. [L. Diana.] (Myth.) The daughter of Jupiter and Latona; a virgin goddess who presided over hunting, chastity, and marriage; -- identified with the Greek goddess Artemis.

And chaste Diana haunts the forest shade.

Pope.

Diana monkey (Zoöl.), a handsome, white-bearded monkey of West Africa (Cercopithecus Diana).

||Di*an"dri*a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. di- = di`s- twice + &?;, &?;, a man, a male.] (Bot.) A Linnæan class of plants having two stamens.

Di*an"dri*an (?), a. Diandrous.

Di*an"drous (?), n. [Cf. F. diandre.] (Bot.) Of or pertaining to the class Diandria; having two stamens.

||Di*a"ni*um (?), n. [NL., fr. L. Diana; either as the name of the Roman goddess, or from its use in OE. as a name of silver.] (Chem.) Same as Columbium. [Obs.]

Di`a*no*et"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;; dia` through + &?; to revolve in the mind.] (Metaph.) Pertaining to the discursive faculty, its acts or products.

I would employ . . . dianoetic to denote the operation of the discursive, elaborative, or comparative faculty.

Sir W. Hamilton.

Di`a*noi*al"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; thought + -logy.] The science of the dianoetic faculties, and their operations. Sir W. Hamilton.

Di*an"thus (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, gen. &?;, Zeus + 'a`nqos flower.] (Bot.) A genus of plants containing some of the most popular of cultivated flowers, including the pink, carnation, and Sweet William.

Di"a*pase (?), n. Same as Diapason. [Obs.]

A tuneful diapase of pleasures.

Spenser.

Di"a*pasm (?), n. [L. diapasma, Gr. &?;, fr. &?;; dia` through + &?; to sprinkle: cf. F. diapasme.] Powdered aromatic herbs, sometimes made into little balls and strung together. [Obs.]

Di`a*pa"son (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. diapasw^n (i. e., "h dia` pasw^n chordw^n symfoni`a the concord of the first and last notes, the octave); dia` through + pasw^n, gen. pl. of pa^s all: cf. F. diapason. Cf. Panacea.] 1. (Gr. Mus.) The octave, or interval which includes all the tones of the diatonic scale.

2. Concord, as of notes an octave apart; harmony.

The fair music that all creatures made . . .
In perfect diapason.

Milton.

3. The entire compass of tones.

Through all the compass of the notes it ran,
The diapason closing full in man.

Dryden.

4. A standard of pitch; a tuning fork; as, the French normal diapason.

5. One of certain stops in the organ, so called because they extend through the scale of the instrument. They are of several kinds, as open diapason, stopped diapason, double diapason, and the like.

||Di`a*pe*de"sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a leaping or oozing through, fr. &?; to leap through; dia` through + &?; to leap.] (Med.) The passage of the corpuscular elements of the blood from the blood vessels into the surrounding tissues, without rupture of the walls of the blood vessels.

||Di`a*pen"te (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?; a fifth; dia` through + &?; five: cf. F. diapente.] 1. (Anc. Mus.) The interval of the fifth.

2. (Med.) A composition of five ingredients.

Di"a*per (?), n. [OF. diaspre, diapre, diaspe, sort of figured cloth, It. diaspro jasper, diaspo figured cloth, from L. jaspis a green-colored precious stone. See Jasper.] 1. Any textile fabric (esp. linen or cotton toweling) woven in diaper pattern. See 2.

2. (Fine Arts) Surface decoration of any sort which consists of the constant repetition of one or more simple figures or units of design evenly spaced.

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3. A towel or napkin for wiping the hands, etc.

Let one attend him with a silver basin, . . .
Another bear the ewer, the third a diaper.

Shak.

4. An infant's breechcloth.

Di"a*per (?), v. t. 1. To ornament with figures, etc., arranged in the pattern called diaper, as cloth in weaving. "Diapered light." H. Van Laun.

Engarlanded and diapered
With in wrought flowers.

Tennyson.

2. To put a diaper on (a child).

Di"a*per, v. i. To draw flowers or figures, as upon cloth. "If you diaper on folds." Peacham.

Di"a*per*ing, n. Same as Diaper, n., 2.

Di"a*phane (?), n. [Cf. F. diaphane diaphanous. See Diaphanous.] A woven silk stuff with transparent and colored figures; diaper work.

Di"a*phaned (?), a. [Cf. OF. diaphaner to make transparent. See Diaphanous.] Transparent or translucent. [R.]

Di`a*pha*ne"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. diaphanéité. See Diaphanous.] The quality of being diaphanous; transparency; pellucidness.

Di`a*phan"ic (?), a. [See Diaphanous.] Having power to transmit light; transparent; diaphanous.

Di*aph"a*nie (?), n. The art of imitating stained glass with translucent paper.

Di`a*pha*nom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; transparent + -meter.] An instrument for measuring the transparency of the air.

Di`a*phan"o*scope (?), n. [Gr. &?; transparent + -scope.] (Photog.) A dark box constructed for viewing transparent pictures, with or without a lens.

Di`a*phan"o*type (?), n. [Gr. &?; transparent + -type.] (Photog.) A colored photograph produced by superimposing a translucent colored positive over a strong uncolored one.

Di*aph"a*nous (?), a. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to show or shine through; dia` through + &?; to show, and in the passive, to shine: cf. F. diaphane. See Phantom, and cf. Diaphane, Diaphanic.] Allowing light to pass through, as porcelain; translucent or transparent; pellucid; clear.

Another cloud in the region of them, light enough to be fantastic and diaphanous.

Landor.

Di*aph"a*nous*ly, adv. Translucently.

Di*aph`e*met"ric (?), a. [Gr. dia` through + &?; touch + &?; measure.] (Physiol.) Relating to the measurement of the tactile sensibility of parts; as, diaphemetric compasses. Dunglison.

{ Di`a*phon"ic (?), Di`a*phon"ic*al (?) }, a. [Gr. dia` through + &?; sound, tone.] Diacoustic.

Di`a*phon"ics (?), n. The doctrine of refracted sound; diacoustics.

||Di`a*pho*re"sis (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to carry through, to throw off by perspiration; dia` through + &?; to carry.] (Med.) Perspiration, or an increase of perspiration.

{ Di`a*pho*ret"ic (?), Di`a*pho*ret"ic*al (?), } a. [L. diaphoreticus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. diaphorétique. See Diaphoresis.] Having the power to increase perspiration.

Di`a*pho*ret"ic, n. (Med.) A medicine or agent which promotes perspiration.

Diaphoretics differ from sudorifics; the former only increase the insensible perspiration, the latter excite the sensible discharge called sweat. Parr.

Di"a*phote (?), n. [Pref. dia- + Gr. &?;, light.] (Elec.) An instrument designed for transmitting pictures by telegraph. Fallows.

Di"a*phragm (?), n. [L. diaphragma, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to fence by a partition wall; dia` through + &?;, &?;, to fence, inclose; prob. akin to L. fareire to stuff: cf. F. diaphragme. See Farce.] 1. A dividing membrane or thin partition, commonly with an opening through it.

2. (Anat.) The muscular and tendinous partition separating the cavity of the chest from that of the abdomen; the midriff.

3. (Zoöl.) A calcareous plate which divides the cavity of certain shells into two parts.

4. (Opt.) A plate with an opening, which is generally circular, used in instruments to cut off marginal portions of a beam of light, as at the focus of a telescope.

5. (Mach.) A partition in any compartment, for various purposes.

Diaphragm pump, one in which a flexible diaphragm takes the place of a piston.

Di`a*phrag*mat"ic (?), a. [Cf. F. diaphragmatique.] Pertaining to a diaphragm; as, diaphragmatic respiration; the diaphragmatic arteries and nerves.

Di*aph"y*sis (?), n. [Gr. &?; a growing through; dia` through + &?; to bring forth.] 1. (Bot.) An abnormal prolongation of the axis of inflorescence.

2. (Anat.) The shaft, or main part, of a bone, which is first ossified.

Di`ap*no"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; outlet for the wind, exhalation, fr. &?; to blow through; dia` through + &?; to blow, breathe: cf. F. diapnoïque.] (Med.) Slightly increasing an insensible perspiration; mildly diaphoretic. -- n. A gentle diaphoretic.

Di*ap`o*phys"ic*al (?), a. (Anat.) Pertaining to a diapophysis.

||Di`a*poph"y*sis (?), n. [NL. See Dia-, and Apophysis.] (Anat.) The dorsal transverse, or tubercular, process of a vertebra. See Vertebra.

Di"arch*y (?), n. [Gr. di- = di`s- twice + &?; to rule.] A form of government in which the supreme power is vested in two persons.

{ Di*a"ri*al (?), Di*a"ri*an (?), } a. [See Diary.] Pertaining to a diary; daily.

Di"a*rist (?), n. One who keeps a diary.

{ Di`ar*rhe"a, Di`ar*rhœ"a }, (d`ar*r"), n. [L. diarrhoea, Gr. dia`rroia, fr. dia`rrei^n to flow through; dia` + "rei^n to flow; akin to E. stream. See Stream.] (Med.) A morbidly frequent and profuse discharge of loose or fluid evacuations from the intestines, without tenesmus; a purging or looseness of the bowels; a flux.

{ Di`ar*rhe"al, Di`ar*rhœ"al } a. (Med.) Of or pertaining to diarrhea; like diarrhea.

{ Di`ar*rhet"ic, Di`ar*rhœt"ic } (?), a. (Med.) Producing diarrhea, or a purging.

Di`ar*thro"di*al (?), a. (Anat.) Relating to diarthrosis, or movable articulations.

||Di`ar*thro"sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to joint, articulate; dia` through, asunder + &?; to fasten by a joint, 'a`rqron joint.] (Anat.) A form of articulation which admits of considerable motion; a complete joint; abarticulation. See Articulation.

Di"a*ry (?), n.; pl. Diaries (#). [L. diarium, fr. dies day. See Deity.] A register of daily events or transactions; a daily record; a journal; a blank book dated for the record of daily memoranda; as, a diary of the weather; a physician's diary.

Di"a*ry, a. lasting for one day; as, a diary fever. [Obs.] "Diary ague." Bacon.

Di"a*spore (?), n. [From Gr. &?; a scattering; dia` through, asunder + &?; to sow, scatter like seed: cf. F. diaspore.] (Min.) A hydrate of alumina, often occurring in white lamellar masses with brilliant pearly luster; -- so named on account of its decrepitating when heated before the blowpipe.

Di"a*stase (?), n. [Gr. &?; separation, fr. &?;, &?; to stand apart; dia` through + &?;, &?;, to stand, set: cf. F. diastase. Cf. Diastasis.] (Physiol. Chem.) A soluble, nitrogenous ferment, capable of converting starch and dextrin into sugar.

The name is more particularly applied to that ferment formed during the germination of grain, as in the malting of barley; but it is also occasionally used to designate the amylolytic ferment contained in animal fluids, as in the saliva.

Di`a*sta"sic (?), a. Pertaining to, or consisting of, diastase; as, diastasic ferment.

||Di*as"ta*sis (?), n. [NL. See Diastase.] (Surg.) A forcible separation of bones without fracture.

Di`a*stat"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; separative. See Diastase.] (Physiol. Chem.) Relating to diastase; having the properties of diastase; effecting the conversion of starch into sugar.

The influence of acids and alkalies on the diastatic action of saliva.

Lauder Brunton.

Di"a*stem (?), n. [L. diastema, Gr. &?;, fr. &?;: cf. F. diastème.] (a) Intervening space; interval. (b) (Anc. Mus.) An interval.

||Di`a*ste"ma (?), n. [L. See Diastem.] (Anat.) A vacant space, or gap, esp. between teeth in a jaw.

Di*as"ter (?), n. [Gr. di- = di`s- twice + &?; star.] (Biol.) A double star; -- applied to the nucleus of a cell, when, during cell division, the loops of the nuclear network separate into two groups, preparatory to the formation of two daughter nuclei. See Karyokinesis.

||Di*as"to*le (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to put asunder, to separate; dia` through + &?; to set, to place.] 1. (Physiol.) The rhythmical expansion or dilatation of the heart and arteries; -- correlative to systole, or contraction.

2. (Gram.) A figure by which a syllable naturally short is made long.

Di`as*tol"ic (?), a. (Physiol.) Of or pertaining to diastole.

Di"a*style (?), n. [L. diastylus, Gr. &?;; dia` through, asunder + &?; pillar, column: cf. F. diastyle.] (Arch.) See under Intercolumniation.

||Di`a*tes"sa*ron (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?; (sc. &?;); dia` through + &?;, gen. of &?; four (sc. &?;.).] 1. (Anc. Mus.) The interval of a fourth.

2. (Theol.) A continuous narrative arranged from the first four books of the New Testament.

3. An electuary compounded of four medicines.

Di`a*ther"mal (?), a. [Gr. &?; thoroughly warm; dia` through + &?; warm, hot. Cf. Diathermous.] Freely permeable by radiant heat.

{ Di`a*ther"man*cy (?), Di`a*ther`ma*ne"i*ty (?), } n. [See Diathermanous.] The property of transmitting radiant heat; the quality of being diathermous. Melloni.

Di`a*ther"ma*nism (?), n. The doctrine or the phenomena of the transmission of radiant heat. Nichol.

Di`a*ther"ma*nous (?), a. [Gr. &?; to warm through; dia` through + &?; to warm, &?; warm.] Having the property of transmitting radiant heat; diathermal; -- opposed to athermanous.

Di`a*ther"mic (?), a. Affording a free passage to heat; as, diathermic substances. Melloni.

Di`a*ther*mom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; warm + -meter. See Diathermal.] (Physics) An instrument for examining the thermal resistance or heat- conducting power of liquids.

Di`a*ther"mous (?), a. Same as Diathermal.

||Di*ath"e*sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to place separately, arrange; dia` through, asunder + &?; to place, put.] (Med.) Bodily condition or constitution, esp. a morbid habit which predisposes to a particular disease, or class of diseases.

Di`a*thet"ic (?), a. Pertaining to, or dependent on, a diathesis or special constitution of the body; as, diathetic disease.

Di"a*tom (d`*tm), n. [Gr. dia`tomos cut in two. See Diatomous.] 1. (Bot.) One of the Diatomaceæ, a family of minute unicellular Algæ having a siliceous covering of great delicacy, each individual multiplying by spontaneous division. By some authors diatoms are called Bacillariæ, but this word is not in general use.

2. A particle or atom endowed with the vital principle.

The individual is nothing. He is no more than the diatom, the bit of protoplasm.

Mrs. E. Lynn Linton.

Di`a*tom"ic (d`*tm"k), a. [Pref. di- + atomic.] (Chem.) (a) Containing two atoms. (b) Having two replaceable atoms or radicals.

Di*at"o*mous (?), a. [Gr. dia`tomos cut through, fr. diate`mnein to cut through; dia` through + te`mnein to cut. Cf. Diatom.] (Min.) Having a single, distinct, diagonal cleavage; -- said of crystals. Mohs.

Di`a*ton"ic (d`*tn"k), a. [L. diatonicus, diatonus, Gr. &?;, &?;, fr. &?; to stretch out; dia` through + &?; to stretch: cf. F. diatonique. See Tone.] (Mus.) Pertaining to the scale of eight tones, the eighth of which is the octave of the first.

Diatonic scale (Mus.), a scale consisting of eight sounds with seven intervals, of which two are semitones and five are whole tones; a modern major or minor scale, as distinguished from the chromatic scale.

Di`a*ton"ic*al*ly (?), adv. In a diatonic manner.

Di"a*tribe (?; 277), n. [L. diatriba a learned discussion, Gr. &?;, prop., a wearing away of time, fr. &?; to rub away, spend time; dia` through + &?; to rub: cf. L. terere, F. trite: cf. F. diatribe.] A prolonged or exhaustive discussion; especially, an acrimonious or invective harangue; a strain of abusive or railing language; a philippic.

The ephemeral diatribe of a faction.

John Morley.

Di*at"ri*bist (?), n. One who makes a diatribe or diatribes.

||Di`a*try"ma (?), n. [NL., from Gr. dia` through + &?; hole.] (Paleon.) An extinct eocene bird from New Mexico, larger than the ostrich.

{ Di`a*zeuc"tic (?), Di`a*zeu"tic (?), } a. [Gr. &?; disjunctive, fr. &?; to disjoin; dia` through, asunder + &?; to join, yoke.] (Anc. Mus.) Disjoining two fourths; as, the diazeutic tone, which, like that from F to G in modern music, lay between two fourths, and, being joined to either, made a fifth. [Obs.]

Di*az"o- (&?;). [Pref. di- + azo-] (Chem.) A combining form (also used adjectively), meaning pertaining to, or derived from, a series of compounds containing a radical of two nitrogen atoms, united usually to an aromatic radical; as, diazo-benzene, C₆H₅.N₂.OH.

Diazo compounds are in general unstable, but are of great importance in recent organic chemistry. They are obtained by a partial reduction of the salts of certain amido compounds.

Diazo reactions (Chem.), a series of reactions whereby diazo compounds are employed in substitution. These reactions are of great importance in organic chemistry.

Di*az"o*tize (?), v. t. (Chem.) To subject to such reactions or processes that diazo compounds, or their derivatives, shall be produced by chemical exchange or substitution.

Dib (?), v. i. To dip. [Prov. Eng.] Walton.

Dib, n. 1. One of the small bones in the knee joints of sheep uniting the bones above and below the joints.

2. pl. A child's game, played with dib bones.

Di*ba"sic (?), a. [Pref. di- + basic.] (Chem.) Having two acid hydrogen atoms capable of replacement by basic atoms or radicals, in forming salts; bibasic; -- said of acids, as oxalic or sulphuric acids. Cf. Diacid, Bibasic.

In the case of certain acids dibasic and divalent are not synonymous; as, tartaric acid is tetravalent and dibasic, lactic acid is divalent but monobasic.

Di`ba*sic"i*ty (?), n. (Chem.) The property or condition of being dibasic.

Dib"ber (?), n. A dibble. Halliwell.

Dib"ble (?), n. [See Dibble, v. i.] A pointed implement used to make holes in the ground in which no set out plants or to plant seeds.

Dib"ble, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Dibbled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Dibbling (?).] [Freq. of Prov. E. dib, for dip to thrust in. See Dip.] To dib or dip frequently, as in angling. Walton.

Dib"ble, v. t. 1. To plant with a dibble; to make holes in (soil) with a dibble, for planting.

2. To make holes or indentations in, as if with a dibble.

The clayey soil around it was dibbled thick at the time by the tiny hoofs of sheep.

H. Miller.

Dib"bler (?), n. One who, or that which, dibbles, or makes holes in the ground for seed.

||Di*bran`chi*a"ta (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. di- = di`s- twice + &?; gills.] (Zoöl.) An order of cephalopods which includes those with two gills, an apparatus for emitting an inky fluid, and either eight or ten cephalic arms bearing suckers or hooks, as the octopi and squids. See Cephalopoda.

Di*bran"chi*ate (?), a. (Zoöl.) Having two gills. -- n. One of the Dibranchiata.

<! p. 408 !>

Dibs (?), n. A sweet preparation or treacle of grape juice, much used in the East. Johnston.

Dib"stone` (?; 110), n. A pebble used in a child's game called dibstones. Locke.

Di*bu"tyl (?), n. [Pref. di- + butyl.] (Chem.) A liquid hydrocarbon, C₈H₁₈, of the marsh-gas series, being one of several octanes, and consisting of two butyl radicals. Cf. Octane.

Di*ca"cious (?), a. [L. dicax, dicacis, fr. dicere to say.] Talkative; pert; saucy. [Obs.]

Di*cac"i*ty (?), n. [L. dicacitas: cf. F. dicacité. See Dicacious.] Pertness; sauciness. [Obs.]

Di*cal"cic (?), a. [Pref. di- + calcic.] (Chem.) Having two atoms or equivalents of calcium to the molecule.

Di`car*bon"ic (?), a. [Pref. di- + carbonic.] (Chem.) Containing two carbon residues, or two carboxyl or radicals; as, oxalic acid is a dicarbonic acid.

Di"cast (?), n. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to judge, &?; right, judgment, justice.] A functionary in ancient Athens answering nearly to the modern juryman.

Di*cas"ter*y (?), n. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; juryman. See Dicast.] A court of justice; judgment hall. [R.] J. S. Mill.

Dice (?), n.; pl. of Die. Small cubes used in gaming or in determining by chance; also, the game played with dice. See Die, n.

Dice coal, a kind of coal easily splitting into cubical fragments. Brande & C.

Dice, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Diced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Dicing.] 1. To play games with dice.

I . . . diced not above seven times a week.

Shak.

2. To ornament with squares, diamonds, or cubes.

Dice"box` (?), n. A box from which dice are thrown in gaming. Thackeray.

||Di*cen"tra (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. di- = di`s- twice + &?; spur.] (Bot.) A genus of herbaceous plants, with racemes of two-spurred or heart-shaped flowers, including the Dutchman's breeches, and the more showy Bleeding heart (D. spectabilis). [Corruptly written dielytra.]

Di*ceph"a*lous (?), a. [Gr. &?;; di- = di`s- twice + &?; head.] Having two heads on one body; double-headed.

Di"cer (?), n. A player at dice; a dice player; a gamester.

As false as dicers' oaths.

Shak.

Dich (?), v. i. To ditch. [Obs.]

Di*chas"tic (?), a. [Gr. &?; to part asunder, fr. &?; in two, asunder, fr. di`s- twice.] (Biol.) Capable of subdividing spontaneously.

Di`chla*myd"e*ous (?), a. [Gr. di- = di`s- twice + &?;, &?;, a cloak.] (Bot.) Having two coverings, a calyx and in corolla.

Di*chlo"ride (?), n. [Pref. di- + chloride.] (Chem.) Same as Bichloride.

Di*chog"a*mous (?), a. (Bot.) Manifesting dichogamy.

Di*chog"a*my (?), n. [Gr. &?; in two, asunder + &?; marriage.] (Bot.) The condition of certain species of plants, in which the stamens and pistil do not mature simultaneously, so that these plants can never fertilize themselves.

Di*chot"o*mist (?), n. One who dichotomizes. Bacon.

Di*chot"o*mize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dichotomized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Dichotomizing (?).] [See Dichotomous.] 1. To cut into two parts; to part into two divisions; to divide into pairs; to bisect. [R.]

The apostolical benediction dichotomizes all good things into grace and peace.

Bp. Hall.

2. (Astron.) To exhibit as a half disk. See Dichotomy, 3. "[The moon] was dichotomized." Whewell.

Di*chot"o*mize, v. i. To separate into two parts; to branch dichotomously; to become dichotomous.

Di*chot"o*mous (?), a. [L. dichotomos, Gr. &?;; &?; in two, asunder + diate`mnein to cut.] Regularly dividing by pairs from bottom to top; as, a dichotomous stem. -- Di*chot"o*mous*ly, adv.

Di*chot"o*my (?), n. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?;: cf. F. dichotomie. See Dichotomous.] 1. A cutting in two; a division.

A general breach or dichotomy with their church.

Sir T. Browne.

2. Division or distribution of genera into two species; division into two subordinate parts.

3. (Astron.) That phase of the moon in which it appears bisected, or shows only half its disk, as at the quadratures.

4. (Biol.) Successive division and subdivision, as of a stem of a plant or a vein of the body, into two parts as it proceeds from its origin; successive bifurcation.

5. The place where a stem or vein is forked.

6. (Logic) Division into two; especially, the division of a class into two subclasses opposed to each other by contradiction, as the division of the term man into white and not white.

Di*chro"ic (?), a. [See Dichroism.] Having the property of dichroism; as, a dichroic crystal.

Di*chro"i*scope (?), n. Same as Dichroscope.

Di"chro*ism (?), n. [Gr. &?; two- colored; di- = di`s- twice + &?; color.] (Opt.) The property of presenting different colors by transmitted light, when viewed in two different directions, the colors being unlike in the direction of unlike or unequal axes.

Di"chro*ite (?), n. [See Dichroism.] (Min.) Iolite; -- so called from its presenting two different colors when viewed in two different directions. See Iolite.

Di`chro*it"ic (?), a. Dichroic.

Di*chro"mate (?), n. (Chem.) A salt of chromic acid containing two equivalents of the acid radical to one of the base; -- called also bichromate.

Di`chro*mat"ic (?), a. [Pref. di- + chromatic: cf. Gr. &?;.] 1. Having or exhibiting two colors.

2. (Zoöl.) Having two color varieties, or two phases differing in color, independently of age or sex, as in certain birds and insects.

Di*chro"ma*tism (?), n. The state of being dichromatic.

Di*chro"mic (?), a. [Gr. &?; two- colored; di- = di`s- twice + &?; color.] Furnishing or giving two colors; -- said of defective vision, in which all the compound colors are resolvable into two elements instead of three. Sir J. Herschel.

Di"chro*ous (?), a. Dichroic.

Di"chro*scope (?), n. [Gr. di- = di`s- twice + &?; color + &?; to view.] An instrument for examining the dichroism of crystals.

Di`chro*scop"ic (?), a. Pertaining to the dichroscope, or to observations with it.

Di"cing (?), n. 1. An ornamenting in squares or cubes.

2. Gambling with dice. J. R. Green.

Dick*cis"sel (?), n. (Zoöl.) The American black-throated bunting (Spiza Americana).

Dick"ens (?), n. or interj. [Perh. a contr. of the dim. devilkins.] The devil. [A vulgar euphemism.]

I can not tell what the dickens his name is.

Shak.

Dick"er (?), n. [Also daker, dakir; akin to Icel. dekr, Dan. deger, G. decher; all prob. from LL. dacra, dacrum, the number ten, akin to L. decuria a division consisting of ten, fr. decem ten. See Ten.] 1. The number or quantity of ten, particularly ten hides or skins; a dakir; as, a dicker of gloves. [Obs.]

A dicker of cowhides.

Heywood.

2. A chaffering, barter, or exchange, of small wares; as, to make a dicker. [U.S.]

For peddling dicker, not for honest sales.

Whittier.

Dick"er, v. i. & t. To negotiate a dicker; to barter. [U.S.] "Ready to dicker. and to swap." Cooper.

{ Dick"ey, Dick"y } (?), n. 1. A seat behind a carriage, for a servant.

2. A false shirt front or bosom.

3. A gentleman's shirt collar. [Local, U. S.]

Di*clin"ic (?), a. [Gr. di- = di`s- twice + &?; to incline.] (Crystallog.) Having two of the intersections between the three axes oblique. See Crystallization.

Dic"li*nous (?), a. [Gr. &?; = &?; bed.] Having the stamens and pistils in separate flowers. Gray.

Di*coc"cous (?), a. [Gr. di- = di`s- twice + &?; grain, seed.] (Bot.) Composed of two coherent, one-seeded carpels; as, a dicoccous capsule.

Di*cot`y*le"don (d*kt`*l"dn), n. [Pref. di- + cotyledon.] (Bot.) A plant whose seeds divide into two seed lobes, or cotyledons, in germinating.

Di*cot`y*le"don*ous (-ld"n*s), a. (Bot.) Having two cotyledons or seed lobes; as, a dicotyledonous plant.

{ Di"cro*tal (?), Di"cro*tous (?), } a. [Gr. &?; a double beating.] Dicrotic.

Di*crot"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; = &?; to knock, beat.] (Physiol.) (a) Of or pertaining to dicrotism; as, a dicrotic pulse. (b) Of or pertaining to the second expansion of the artery in the dicrotic pulse; as, the dicrotic wave.

Di"cro*tism (?), n. (Physiol.) A condition in which there are two beats or waves of the arterial pulse to each beat of the heart.

||Dic"ta (?), n. pl. [L.] See Dictum.

||Dic*ta"men (?), n. [LL., fr. dictare to dictate.] A dictation or dictate. [R.] Falkland.

||Dic*tam"nus (?), n. [L. See Dittany.] (Bot.) A suffrutescent, D. Fraxinella (the only species), with strong perfume and showy flowers. The volatile oil of the leaves is highly inflammable.

Dic"tate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dictated; p. pr. & vb. n. Dictating.] [L. dictatus, p. p. of dictare, freq. of dicere to say. See Diction, and cf. Dight.] 1. To tell or utter so that another may write down; to inspire; to compose; as, to dictate a letter to an amanuensis.

The mind which dictated the Iliad.

Wayland.

Pages dictated by the Holy Spirit.

Macaulay.

2. To say; to utter; to communicate authoritatively; to deliver (a command) to a subordinate; to declare with authority; to impose; as, to dictate the terms of a treaty; a general dictates orders to his troops.

Whatsoever is dictated to us by God must be believed.

Watts.

Syn. -- To suggest; prescribe; enjoin; command; point out; urge; admonish.

Dic"tate, v. i. 1. To speak as a superior; to command; to impose conditions (on).

Who presumed to dictate to the sovereign.

Macaulay.

2. To compose literary works; to tell what shall be written or said by another.

Sylla could not skill of letters, and therefore knew not how to dictate.

Bacon.

Dic"tate (?), n. [L. dictatum. See Dictate, v. t.] A statement delivered with authority; an order; a command; an authoritative rule, principle, or maxim; a prescription; as, listen to the dictates of your conscience; the dictates of the gospel.

I credit what the Grecian dictates say.

Prior.

Syn. -- Command; injunction; direction suggestion; impulse; admonition.

Dic*ta"tion (?), n. [L. dictatio.] 1. The act of dictating; the act or practice of prescribing; also that which is dictated.

It affords security against the dictation of laws.

Paley.

2. The speaking to, or the giving orders to, in an overbearing manner; authoritative utterance; as, his habit, even with friends, was that of dictation.

Dic*ta"tor (?), n. [L.] 1. One who dictates; one who prescribes rules and maxims authoritatively for the direction of others. Locke.

2. One invested with absolute authority; especially, a magistrate created in times of exigence and distress, and invested with unlimited power.

Invested with the authority of a dictator, nay, of a pope, over our language.

Macaulay.

Dic`ta*to"ri*al (?), a. [Cf. F. dictatorial.] 1. Pertaining or suited to a dictator; absolute.

Military powers quite dictatorial.

W. Irving.

2. Characteristic of a dictator; imperious; dogmatical; overbearing; as, a dictatorial tone or manner.

-- Dic`ta*to"ri*al*ly, adv. -- Dic`ta*to"ri*al*ness, n.

Dic`ta*to"ri*an (?), a. Dictatorial. [Obs.]

Dic*ta"tor*ship (?), n. The office, or the term of office, of a dictator; hence, absolute power.

Dic"ta*to*ry (?), a. [L. dictatorius.] Dogmatical; overbearing; dictatorial. Milton.

Dic*ta"tress (?), n. A woman who dictates or commands.

Earth's chief dictatress, ocean's mighty queen.

Byron.

Dic*ta"trix (?), n. [L.] A dictatress.

Dic*ta"ture (?; 135), n. [L. dictatura: cf. F. dictature.] Office of a dictator; dictatorship. [R.] Bacon.

Dic"tion (?), n. [L. dicto a saying, a word, fr. dicere, dictum, to say; akin to dicare to proclaim, and to E. teach, token: cf. F. diction. See Teach, and cf. Benison, Dedicate, Index, Judge, Preach, Vengeance.] Choice of words for the expression of ideas; the construction, disposition, and application of words in discourse, with regard to clearness, accuracy, variety, etc.; mode of expression; language; as, the diction of Chaucer's poems.

His diction blazes up into a sudden explosion of prophetic grandeur.

De Quincey.

Syn. -- Diction, Style, Phraseology. Style relates both to language and thought; diction, to language only; phraseology, to the mechanical structure of sentences, or the mode in which they are phrased. The style of Burke was enriched with all the higher graces of composition; his diction was varied and copious; his phraseology, at times, was careless and cumbersome. "Diction is a general term applicable alike to a single sentence or a connected composition. Errors in grammar, false construction, a confused disposition of words, or an improper application of them, constitute bad diction; but the niceties, the elegancies, the peculiarities, and the beauties of composition, which mark the genius and talent of the writer, are what is comprehended under the name of style." Crabb.

Dic`tion*al"ri*an (?), n. A lexicographer. [R.]

Dic"tion*a*ry (?), n.; pl. Dictionaries (#). [Cf. F. dictionnaire. See Diction.] 1. A book containing the words of a language, arranged alphabetically, with explanations of their meanings; a lexicon; a vocabulary; a wordbook.

I applied myself to the perusal of our writers; and noting whatever might be of use to ascertain or illustrate any word or phrase, accumulated in time the materials of a dictionary.

Johnson.

2. Hence, a book containing the words belonging to any system or province of knowledge, arranged alphabetically; as, a dictionary of medicine or of botany; a biographical dictionary.

||Dic"tum (?), n.; pl. L. Dicta (#), E. Dictums (#). [L., neuter of dictus, p. p. of dicere to say. See Diction, and cf. Ditto.] 1. An authoritative statement; a dogmatic saying; an apothegm.

A class of critical dicta everywhere current.