Vocabulary builder D

1105	daring	adj.	Brave.
1106	darkling	adv.	Blindly.
1107	Darwinism	n.	The doctrine that natural selection has been the prime cause of evolution of higher forms.
1108	dastard	n.	A base coward.
1109	datum	n.	A premise, starting-point, or given fact.
1110	dauntless	adj.	Fearless.
1111	day-man	n.	A day-laborer.
1112	dead-heat	n.	A race in which two or more competitors come out even, and there is no winner.
1113	dearth	n.	Scarcity, as of something customary, essential ,or desirable.
1114	death's-head	n.	A human skull as a symbol of death.
1115	debase	v.	To lower in character or virtue.
1116	debatable	adj.	Subject to contention or dispute.
1117	debonair	adj.	Having gentle or courteous bearing or manner.
1118	debut	n.	A first appearance in society or on the stage.
1119	decagon	n.	A figure with ten sides and ten angles.
1120	decagram	n.	A weight of 10 grams.
1121	decaliter	n.	A liquid and dry measure of 10 liters.
1122	decalogue	n.	The ten commandments.
1123	Decameron	n.	A volume consisting of ten parts or books.
1124	decameter	n.	A length of ten meters.
1125	decamp	v.	To leave suddenly or unexpectedly.
1126	decapitate	v.	To behead.
1127	decapod	adj.	Ten-footed or ten-armed.
1128	decasyllable	n.	A line of ten syllables.
1129	deceit	n.	Falsehood.
1130	deceitful	adj.	Fraudulent.
1131	deceive	v.	To mislead by or as by falsehood.
1132	decency	n.	Moral fitness.
1133	decent	adj.	Characterized by propriety of conduct, speech, manners, or dress.
1134	deciduous	adj.	Falling off at maturity as petals after flowering, fruit when ripe, etc.
1135	decimal	adj.	Founded on the number 10.
1136	decimate	v.	To destroy a measurable or large proportion of.
1137	decipher	v.	To find out the true words or meaning of, as something hardly legible.
1138	decisive	ad.	Conclusive.
1139	declamation	n.	A speech recited or intended for recitation from memory in public.
1140	declamatory	adj.	A full and formal style of utterance.
1141	declarative	adj.	Containing a formal, positive, or explicit statement or affirmation.
1142	declension	n.	The change of endings in nouns and adj. to express their different relations of gender.
1143	decorate	v.	To embellish.
1144	decorous	adj.	Suitable for the occasion or circumstances.
1145	decoy	n.	Anything that allures, or is intended to allures into danger or temptation.
1146	decrepit	adj.	Enfeebled, as by old age or some chronic infirmity.
1147	dedication	n.	The voluntary consecration or relinquishment of something to an end or cause.
1148	deduce	v.	To derive or draw as a conclusion by reasoning from given premises or principles.
1149	deface	v.	To mar or disfigure the face or external surface of.
1150	defalcate	v.	To cut off or take away, as a part of something.
1151	defamation	n.	Malicious and groundless injury done to the reputation or good name of another.
1152	defame	v.	To slander.
1153	default	n.	The neglect or omission of a legal requirement.
1154	defendant	n.	A person against whom a suit is brought.
1155	defensible	adj.	Capable of being maintained or justified.
1156	defensive	adj.	Carried on in resistance to aggression.
1157	defer	v.	To delay or put off to some other time.
1158	deference	n.	Respectful submission or yielding, as to another's opinion, wishes, or judgment.
1159	defiant	adj.	Characterized by bold or insolent opposition.
1160	deficiency	n.	Lack or insufficiency.
1161	deficient	adj.	Not having an adequate or proper supply or amount.
1162	definite	adj.	Having an exact signification or positive meaning.
1163	deflect	v.	To cause to turn aside or downward.
1164	deforest	v.	To clear of forests.
1165	deform	v.	To disfigure.
1166	deformity	n.	A disfigurement.
1167	defraud	v.	To deprive of something dishonestly.
1168	defray	v.	To make payment for.
1169	degeneracy	n.	A becoming worse.
1170	degenerate	v.	To become worse or inferior.
1171	degradation	n.	Diminution, as of strength or magnitude.
1172	degrade	v.	To take away honors or position from.
1173	dehydrate	v.	To deprive of water.
1174	deify	v.	To regard or worship as a god.
1175	deign	v.	To deem worthy of notice or account.
1176	deist	n.	One who believes in God, but denies supernatural revelation.
1177	deity	n.	A god, goddess, or divine person.
1178	deject	v.	To dishearten.
1179	dejection	n.	Melancholy.
1180	delectable	adj.	Delightful to the taste or to the senses.
1181	delectation	n.	Delight.
1182	deleterious	adj.	Hurtful, morally or physically.
1183	delicacy	n.	That which is agreeable to a fine taste.
1184	delineate	v.	To represent by sketch or diagram.
1185	deliquesce	v.	To dissolve gradually and become liquid by absorption of moisture from the air.
1186	delirious	adj.	Raving.
1187	delude	v.	To mislead the mind or judgment of.
1188	deluge	v.	To overwhelm with a flood of water.
1189	delusion	n.	Mistaken conviction, especially when more or less enduring.
1190	demagnetize	v.	To deprive (a magnet) of magnetism.
1191	demagogue	n.	An unprincipled politician.
1192	demeanor	n.	Deportment.
1193	demented	adj.	Insane.
1194	demerit	n.	A mark for failure or bad conduct.
1195	demise	n.	Death.
1196	demobilize	v.	To disband, as troops.
1197	demolish	v.	To annihilate.
1198	demonstrable	adj.	Capable of positive proof.
1199	demonstrate	v.	To prove indubitably.
1200	demonstrative	adj.	Inclined to strong exhibition or expression of feeling or thoughts.
1201	demonstrator	n.	One who proves in a convincing and conclusive manner.
1202	demulcent	n.	Any application soothing to an irritable surface
1203	demurrage	n.	the detention of a vessel beyond the specified time of sailing.
1204	dendroid	adj.	Like a tree.
1205	dendrology	n.	The natural history of trees.
1206	denizen	n.	Inhabitant.
1207	denominate	v.	To give a name or epithet to.
1208	denomination	n.	A body of Christians united by a common faith and form of worship and discipline.
1209	denominator	n.	Part of a fraction which expresses the number of equal parts into which the unit is divided.
1210	denote	v.	To designate by word or mark.
1211	denouement	n.	That part of a play or story in which the mystery is cleared up.
1212	denounce	v.	To point out or publicly accuse as deserving of punishment, censure, or odium.
1213	dentifrice	n.	Any preparation used for cleaning the teeth.
1214	denude	v.	To strip the covering from.
1215	denunciation	n.	The act of declaring an action or person worthy of reprobation or punishment.
1216	deplete	v.	To reduce or lessen, as by use, exhaustion, or waste.
1217	deplorable	adj.	Contemptible.
1218	deplore	v.	To regard with grief or sorrow.
1219	deponent	adj.	Laying down.
1220	depopulate	v.	To remove the inhabitants from.
1221	deport	v.	To take or send away forcibly, as to a penal colony.
1222	deportment	n.	Demeanor.
1223	deposition	n.	Testimony legally taken on interrogatories and reduced to writing, for use as evidence in court.
1224	depositor	n.	One who makes a deposit, or has an amount deposited.
1225	depository	n.	A place where anything is kept in safety.
1226	deprave	v.	To render bad, especially morally bad.
1227	deprecate	v.	To express disapproval or regret for, with hope for the opposite.
1228	depreciate	v.	To lessen the worth of.
1229	depreciation	n.	A lowering in value or an underrating in worth.
1230	depress	v.	To press down.
1231	depression	n.	A falling of the spirits.
1232	depth	n.	Deepness.
1233	derelict	adj.	Neglectful of obligation.
1234	deride	v.	To ridicule.
1235	derisible	adj.	Open to ridicule.
1236	derision	n.	Ridicule.
1237	derivation	n.	That process by which a word is traced from its original root or primitive form and meaning.
1238	derivative	adj.	Coming or acquired from some origin.
1239	derive	v.	To deduce, as from a premise.
1240	dermatology	n.	The branch of medical science which relates to the skin and its diseases.
1241	derrick	n.	An apparatus for hoisting and swinging great weights.
1242	descendant	n.	One who is descended lineally from another, as a child, grandchild, etc.
1243	descendent	adj.	Proceeding downward.
1244	descent	n.	The act of moving or going downward.
1245	descry	v.	To discern.
1246	desert	v.	To abandon without regard to the welfare of the abandoned
1247	desiccant	n.	Any remedy which, when applied externally, dries up or absorbs moisture, as that of wounds.
1248	designate	v.	To select or appoint, as by authority.
1249	desist	v.	To cease from action.
1250	desistance	n.	Cessation.
1251	despair	n.	Utter hopelessness and despondency.
1252	desperado	n.	One without regard for law or life.
1253	desperate	adj.	Resorted to in a last extremity, or as if prompted by utter despair.
1254	despicable	adj.	Contemptible.
1255	despite	prep.	In spite of.
1256	despond	v.	To lose spirit, courage, or hope.
1257	despondent	adj.	Disheartened.
1258	despot	n.	An absolute and irresponsible monarch.
1259	despotism	n.	Any severe and strict rule in which the judgment of the governed has little or no part.
1260	destitute	adj.	Poverty-stricken.
1261	desultory	adj.	Not connected with what precedes.
1262	deter	v.	To frighten away.
1263	deteriorate	v.	To grow worse.
1264	determinate	adj.	Definitely limited or fixed.
1265	determination	n.	The act of deciding.
1266	deterrent	adj.	Hindering from action through fear.
1267	detest	v.	To dislike or hate with intensity.
1268	detract	v.	To take away in such manner as to lessen value or estimation.
1269	detriment	n.	Something that causes damage, depreciation, or loss.
1270	detrude	v.	To push down forcibly.
1271	deviate	v.	To take a different course.
1272	devilry	n.	Malicious mischief.
1273	deviltry	n.	Wanton and malicious mischief.
1274	devious	adj.	Out of the common or regular track.
1275	devise	v.	To invent.
1276	devout	adj.	Religious.
1277	dexterity	n.	Readiness, precision, efficiency, and ease in any physical activity or in any mechanical work.
1278	diabolic	adj.	Characteristic of the devil.
1279	diacritical	adj.	Marking a difference.
1280	diagnose	v.	To distinguish, as a disease, by its characteristic phenomena.
1281	diagnosis	n.	Determination of the distinctive nature of a disease.
1282	dialect	n.	Forms of speech collectively that are peculiar to the people of a particular district.
1283	dialectician	n.	A logician.
1284	dialogue	n.	A formal conversation in which two or more take part.
1285	diaphanous	adj.	Transparent.
1286	diatomic	adj.	Containing only two atoms.
1287	diatribe	n.	A bitter or malicious criticism.
1288	dictum	n.	A positive utterance.
1289	didactic	adj.	Pertaining to teaching.
1290	difference	n.	Dissimilarity in any respect.
1291	differentia	n.	Any essential characteristic of a species by reason of which it differs from other species.
1292	differential	adj.	Distinctive.
1293	differentiate	v.	To acquire a distinct and separate character.
1294	diffidence	n.	Self-distrust.
1295	diffident	adj.	Affected or possessed with self-distrust.
1296	diffusible	adj.	Spreading rapidly through the system and acting quickly.
1297	diffusion	n.	Dispersion.
1298	dignitary	n.	One who holds high rank.
1299	digraph	n.	A union of two characters representing a single sound.
1300	digress	v.	To turn aside from the main subject and for a time dwell on some incidental matter.
1301	dilapidated	pa.	Fallen into decay or partial ruin.
1302	dilate	v.	To enlarge in all directions.
1303	dilatory	adj.	Tending to cause delay.
1304	dilemma	n.	A situation in which a choice between opposing modes of conduct is necessary.
1305	dilettante	n.	A superficial amateur.
1306	diligence	n.	Careful and persevering effort to accomplish what is undertaken.
1307	dilute	v.	To make more fluid or less concentrated by admixture with something.
1308	diminution	n.	Reduction.
1309	dimly	adv.	Obscurely.
1310	diphthong	n.	The sound produced by combining two vowels in to a single syllable or running together the sounds.
1311	diplomacy	n.	Tact, shrewdness, or skill in conducting any kind of negotiations or in social matters.
1312	diplomat	n.	A representative of one sovereign state at the capital or court of another.
1313	diplomatic	adj.	Characterized by special tact in negotiations.
1314	diplomatist	n.	One remarkable for tact and shrewd management.
1315	disagree	v.	To be opposite in opinion.
1316	disallow	v.	To withhold permission or sanction.
1317	disappear	v.	To cease to exist, either actually or for the time being.
1318	disappoint	v.	To fail to fulfill the expectation, hope, wish, or desire of.
1319	disapprove	v.	To regard with blame.
1320	disarm	v.	To deprive of weapons.
1321	disarrange	v.	To throw out of order.
1322	disavow	v.	To disclaim responsibility for.
1323	disavowal	n.	Denial.
1324	disbeliever	n.	One who refuses to believe.
1325	disburden	v.	To disencumber.
1326	disburse	v.	To pay out or expend, as money from a fund.
1327	discard	v.	To reject.
1328	discernible	adj.	Perceivable.
1329	disciple	n.	One who believes the teaching of another, or who adopts and follows some doctrine.
1330	disciplinary	adj.	Having the nature of systematic training or subjection to authority.
1331	discipline	v.	To train to obedience.
1332	disclaim	v.	To disavow any claim to, connection with, or responsibility to.
1333	discolor	v.	To stain.
1334	discomfit	v.	To put to confusion.
1335	discomfort	n.	The state of being positively uncomfortable.
1336	disconnect	v.	To undo or dissolve the connection or association of.
1337	disconsolate	adj.	Grief-stricken.
1338	discontinuance	n.	Interruption or intermission.
1339	discord	n.	Absence of harmoniousness.
1340	discountenance	v.	To look upon with disfavor.
1341	discover	v.	To get first sight or knowledge of, as something previously unknown or unperceived.
1342	discredit	v.	To injure the reputation of.
1343	discreet	adj.	Judicious.
1344	discrepant	adj.	Opposite.
1345	discriminate	v.	To draw a distinction.
1346	discursive	adj.	Passing from one subject to another.
1347	discussion	n.	Debate.
1348	disenfranchise	v.	To deprive of any right privilege or power
1349	disengage	v.	To become detached.
1350	disfavor	n.	Disregard.
1351	disfigure	v.	To impair or injure the beauty, symmetry, or appearance of.
1352	dishabille	n.	Undress or negligent attire.
1353	dishonest	adj.	Untrustworthy.
1354	disillusion	v.	To disenchant.
1355	disinfect	v.	To remove or destroy the poison of infectious or contagious diseases.
1356	disinfectant	n.	A substance used to destroy the germs of infectious diseases.
1357	disinherit	v.	To deprive of an inheritance.
1358	disinterested	adj.	Impartial.
1359	disjunctive	adj.	Helping or serving to disconnect or separate.
1360	dislocate	v.	To put out of proper place or order.
1361	dismissal	n.	Displacement by authority from an office or an employment.
1362	dismount	v.	To throw down, push off, or otherwise remove from a horse or the like.
1363	disobedience	n.	Neglect or refusal to comply with an authoritative injunction.
1364	disobedient	adj.	Neglecting or refusing to obey.
1365	disown	v.	To refuse to acknowledge as one's own or as connected with oneself.
1366	disparage	v.	To regard or speak of slightingly.
1367	disparity	n.	Inequality.
1368	dispel	v.	To drive away by or as by scattering in different directions.
1369	dispensation	n.	That which is bestowed on or appointed to one from a higher power.
1370	displace	v.	To put out of the proper or accustomed place.
1371	dispossess	v.	To deprive of actual occupancy, especially of real estate.
1372	disputation	n.	Verbal controversy.
1373	disqualify	v.	To debar.
1374	disquiet	v.	To deprive of peace or tranquillity.
1375	disregard	v.	To take no notice of.
1376	disreputable	adj.	Dishonorable or disgraceful.
1377	disrepute	n.	A bad name or character.
1378	disrobe	v.	To unclothe.
1379	disrupt	v.	To burst or break asunder.
1380	dissatisfy	v.	To displease.
1381	dissect	v.	To cut apart or to pieces.
1382	dissection	n.	The act or operation of cutting in pieces, specifically of a plant or an animal.
1383	dissemble	v.	To hide by pretending something different.
1384	disseminate	v.	To sow or scatter abroad, as seed is sown.
1385	dissension	n.	Angry or violent difference of opinion.
1386	dissent	n.	Disagreement.
1387	dissentient	n.	One who disagrees.
1388	dissentious	adj.	Contentious.
1389	dissertation	n.	Thesis.
1390	disservice	n.	An ill turn.
1391	dissever	v.	To divide.
1392	dissimilar	adj.	Different.
1393	dissipate	v.	To disperse or disappear.
1394	dissipation	n.	The state of being dispersed or scattered.
1395	dissolute	adj.	Lewd.
1396	dissolution	n.	A breaking up of a union of persons.
1397	dissolve	v.	To liquefy or soften, as by heat or moisture.
1398	dissonance	n.	Discord.
1399	dissonant	adj.	Harsh or disagreeable in sound.
1400	dissuade	v.	To change the purpose or alter the plans of by persuasion, counsel, or pleading.
1401	dissuasion	n.	The act of changing the purpose of or altering the plans of through persuasion, or pleading.
1402	disyllable	n.	A word of two syllables.
1403	distemper	n.	A disease or malady.
1404	distend	v.	To stretch out or expand in every direction.
1405	distensible	adj.	Capable of being stretched out or expanded in every direction.
1406	distention	n.	Expansion.
1407	distill	v.	To extract or produce by vaporization and condensation.
1408	distillation	n.	Separation of the more volatile parts of a substance from those less volatile.
1409	distiller	n.	One occupied in the business of distilling alcoholic liquors.
1410	distinction	n.	A note or designation of honor, officially recognizing superiority or success in studies.
1411	distort	v.	To twist into an unnatural or irregular form.
1412	distrain	v.	To subject a person to distress.
1413	distrainor	n.	One who subjects a person to distress.
1414	distraught	adj.	Bewildered.
1415	distrust	n.	Lack of confidence in the power, wisdom, or good intent of any person.
1416	disunion	n.	Separation of relations or interests.
1417	diurnal	adj.	Daily.
1418	divagation	n.	Digression.
1419	divergent	adj.	Tending in different directions.
1420	diverse	adj.	Capable of various forms.
1421	diversion	n.	Pastime.
1422	diversity	n.	Dissimilitude.
1423	divert	v.	To turn from the accustomed course or a line of action already established.
1424	divertible	adj.	Able to be turned from the accustomed course or a line of action already established.
1425	divest	v.	To strip, specifically of clothes, ornaments, or accouterments or disinvestment.
1426	divination	n.	The pretended forecast of future events or discovery of what is lost or hidden.
1427	divinity	n.	The quality or character of being godlike.
1428	divisible	adj.	Capable of being separated into parts.
1429	divisor	n.	That by which a number or quantity is divided.
1430	divulge	v.	To tell or make known, as something previously private or secret.
1431	divulgence	n.	A divulging.
1432	docile	adj.	Easy to manage.
1433	docket	n.	The registry of judgments of a court.
1434	doe	n.	The female of the deer.
1435	dogma	n.	A statement of religious faith or duty formulated by a body claiming authority.
1436	dogmatic	adj.	Making statements without argument or evidence.
1437	dogmatize	v.	To make positive assertions without supporting them by argument or evidence.
1438	doleful	adj.	Melancholy.
1439	dolesome	adj.	Melancholy.
1440	dolor	n.	Lamentation.
1441	dolorous	adj.	Expressing or causing sorrow or pain.
1442	domain	n.	A sphere or field of action or interest.
1443	domesticity	n.	Life in or fondness for one's home and family.
1444	domicile	n.	The place where one lives.
1445	dominance	n.	Ascendancy.
1446	dominant	adj.	Conspicuously prominent.
1447	dominate	v.	To influence controllingly.
1448	domination	n.	Control by the exercise of power or constituted authority.
1449	domineer	v.	To rule with insolence or unnecessary annoyance.
1450	donate	v.	To bestow as a gift, especially for a worthy cause.
1451	donator	n.	One who makes a donation or present.
1452	donee	n.	A person to whom a donation is made.
1453	donor	n.	One who makes a donation or present.
1454	dormant	adj.	Being in a state of or resembling sleep.
1455	doublet	n.	One of a pair of like things.
1456	doubly	adv.	In twofold degree or extent.
1457	dowry	n.	The property which a wife brings to her husband in marriage.
1458	drachma	n.	A modern and an ancient Greek coin.
1459	dragnet	n.	A net to be drawn along the bottom of the water.
1460	dragoon	n.	In the British army, a cavalryman.
1461	drainage	n.	The means of draining collectively, as a system of conduits, trenches, pipes, etc.
1462	dramatist	n.	One who writes plays.
1463	dramatize	v.	To relate or represent in a dramatic or theatrical manner.
1464	drastic	adj.	Acting vigorously.
1465	drought	n.	Dry weather, especially when so long continued as to cause vegetation to wither.
1466	drowsy	adj.	Heavy with sleepiness.
1467	drudgery	n.	Hard and constant work in any menial or dull occupation.
1468	dubious	adj.	Doubtful.
1469	duckling	n.	A young duck.
1470	ductile	adj.	Capable of being drawn out, as into wire or a thread.
1471	duet	n.	A composition for two voices or instruments.
1472	dun	v.	To make a demand or repeated demands on for payment.
1473	duplex	adj.	Having two parts.
1474	duplicity	n.	Double-dealing.
1475	durance	n.	Confinement.
1476	duration	n.	The period of time during which anything lasts.
1477	duteous	adj.	Showing submission to natural superiors.
1478	dutiable	adj.	Subject to a duty, especially a customs duty.
1479	dutiful	adj.	Obedient.
1480	dwindle	v.	To diminish or become less.
1481	dyne	n.	The force which, applied to a mass of one gram for 1 second, would give it a velocity of 1 cm/s.