D Flashcards
(272 cards)
0
Q
dale(n)
A
a valley, especially in north England.
1
Q
dabble
A
(v) 1. To wet by splashing or by putting in and out of water. 2. To move the feet, hands, or bill lightly in water or mud. 3. To study or work at something casually not seriously, (she dabbles in photography). Dabbler (n).
2
Q
damper
A
(n)1. A movable metal plate that regulates the flow of are into the fire in a stove or furnace. 2. A person or thing that damps or discourage enthusiasm, (cast a damper over the proceedings). 3. A small pad that presses against a piano-string to stop it vibrating.
3
Q
damsel
A
(n)(old use) a young woman.
4
Q
dandy
A
(n) a man who pays excessive attention to his smartness. (adj)(informal) very good of its kind.
5
Q
dank
A
(adj) unpleasantly damp and cold.
6
Q
dapper
A
(n) neat and smart in dress and appearance, (a dapper little man).
7
Q
in the dark
A
having no information about something.
8
Q
darn
A
(v) to mend by weaving yarn across a hole. (n) a place mended by darning.
9
Q
darnel
A
(n) a grass that grows as a weed among corn.
10
Q
dashing
A
(adj) spirited, showy.
11
Q
dastardly
A
(adj) contemptible and cowardly.
12
Q
daub
A
(v) to cover or smear roughly with a soft substance, to paint clumsily. (n)1. A clumsily-painted picture. 2. A covering or smear of something soft.
13
Q
daunt
A
(v) to make afraid or discouraged; (nothing daunted), not discouraged.
14
Q
dawdle
A
(v) to walk slowly and idly, to take one’s time. Dawdler (n).
15
Q
deacon
A
(n)1. A clergyman ranking below a priest in Episcopal churches. 2. A layman attending to church business in Nonconformist churches.
16
Q
dead-pan
A
(adj)(informal) with an expressionless face.
17
Q
dead weight
A
a heavy inert weight.
18
Q
deadline
A
(n) a time limit. (originally this meant the line round a military prison beyond which a prisoner was liable to be shot.)
19
Q
deadlock
A
(n) a complete standstill or lack of progress. (v) to reach a deadlock, to cause to do this.
20
Q
dean
A
(n)1. A clergyman who is head of a cathedral chapter. 2. An official in certain universities, responsible for the organisation of studies or for discipline.
21
Q
dearth
A
(n) a scarcity
22
Q
débâcle
A
(n) a sudden disastrous collapse.
23
Q
debase
A
(v) to lower in quality or value. Debasement.
24
debauchery
(n) over-indulgence in harmful or immoral pleasures.
25
debilitate
(v) to cause debility (feebleness, weakness).
26
debonair
(adj) having a carefree self-confident manner.
27
debris
(n) scattered broken pieces.
28
debunk
(v)(informal) to show up (a claim or theory) as exaggerated or false.
29
débutante
(n)(old use) a girl making her first appearance in society.
30
decadent
(adj) becoming less worthy, deteriorating in standard. Decadence (n).
31
decant
(v)1. To pour (liquid) gently from one container into another without disturbing the sediment. 2. (informal) to transfer from one place to another. Decanter: (n) a stopped glass bottle into which wine etc. may be decanted before serving.
32
decentralise
(v) to divide and distribute (powers etc.) from a central authority to places or branches away from the centre. Decentralisation (n).
33
decibel
(n) a unit for measuring the relative loudness of sound.
34
decimate
(v) to destroy one tenth of, to destroy a large proportion of. Decimation (n).
35
decisive
(adj)1. Settling something conclusively, (a decisive battle). 2. Showing decision and firmness. Decisively (adv).
36
decorous
(adj) polite and well-behaved, decent. Decorously (adv).
37
decoy
(n) something used to lure an animal or person into a trap or situation or danger. (v) to lure by means of a decoy.
38
decree
(n)1. An order given by a government or other authority and having the force of a law. 2. A judgment or decision of certain law courts. (v)(decreed, decreeing) to order by decree.
39
decrepit
(adj) made weak by old age or hard use, dilapidated. Decrepitude (n): the state of being decrepit.
40
deface
(v) to spoil or damage the surface of. Defacement (n).
41
defame
(v) to attack the good reputation of, to speak ill of. Defamation (n). Defamatory (adj).
42
defect
(n) a deficiency, an imperfection.
43
defendant
(n) a person accused or sued in a lawsuit.
44
defensible
(adj) able to be defended. Defensibly (adv), defensibility (n).
45
on the defensive
In an attitude of defence, ready to defend oneself against criticism.
46
deference
(n) polite respect. In deference to: out of respect for. Deferential (adj), deferentially (adv).
47
defiance
(n) defying, open disobedience, bold resistance. Defiant (adj), defiantly (adv).
48
defile (1)
(v) to make dirty, to pollute. Defilement (n).
49
deflect
(v) to turn or cause to turn aside. Deflexion (n), deflector (n).
50
defunct
(adj)1. Dead. 2. No longer existing or used or functioning.
51
degenerate
(v) to become worse or lower in standard, to lose good qualities. Degeneration (n). (adj) having degenerated. Degeneracy (n).
52
degrade
(v)1. To reduce to a lower rank or status. 2. To bring disgrace or contempt on. Degradation (n). Degrading (adj): shaming, humiliating.
53
dehumanise
(v) to take away human qualities, to make impersonal.
54
deign
(v) to condescend, to be kind or gracious enough to do something, (she did not deign to reply).
55
dejected
(adj) in low spirits, depressed. Dejectedly (adv). Dejection (n).
56
delectable
(adj) delightful, enjoyable.
57
delegate
(n) a person who represents others and acts according to their instructions. (v) to entrust (a task, power, or responsibility) to an agent. delegation (n), delegacy (n).
58
deleterious
(adj) harmful to the body or mind.
59
deliberate
(adj)1. Done or said on purpose, intentional. 2. Slow and careful, unhurried. Deliberately (adv). (v) to think over or discuss carefully before reaching a decision. Deliberation (n). Deliberative (adj).
60
delinquent
(adj) committing an offence or failing to perform a duty. (n) a delinquent person, especially a young offender against the law. Delinquency (n).
61
delirious
(adj)1. Affected with delirium (a disordered state of mind), raving. 2. Wildly excited. Deliriously (adv).
62
delude
(v) to deceive.
63
deluge
(n)1. A great flood, a heavy fall of rain; (the Deluge), the flood in Noah's time. 2. Anything coming in a heavy rush, (a deluge of questions). (v) to flood, to come down on like a deluge.
64
demeanour
(n) the way a person behaves.
65
demilitarised
(adj) (of an area) required (by treaty or agreement) to have no military forces of installations in it.
66
demise
(n)(formal) death.
67
democracy
(n)1. Government by the whole people of a country, especially through representatives whom they elect. 2. A country governed in this way. Democrat (n), democratic (adj), democratically (adv). Democratise (v), democratisation (n).
68
demonstration
(n)1. Demonstrating. 2. A show of feeling. 3. An organised gathering or procession to express the opinion of a group publicly. 4. A display of military force.
69
demur
(v)(demurred, demurring) to raise objections, (they demurred at working on Sundays). (n) an objection raised.
70
denigrate
(v) to blacken the reputation of, to sneer at. Denigration (n).
71
denizen
(n) a person or plant living or often present in a particular place, (denizens of the Arctic).
72
denounce
(v)1. To speak publicly against. 2. To give information against, (denounced him as a spy). 3. To announce that one is ending (a treaty or agreement).
73
dénouement
(n) the clearing up, at the end of a play or story, of the complications of the plot.
74
dependable
(adj) able to be relied on. Dependably (adv), dependability (n).
75
depict
(v)1. To show in the form of a picture. 2. To describe in words. Depiction (n).
76
deploy
(v) to spread out, to bring or come into action systematically, (deploying his troops or resources); (the ships deployed into line). Deployment (n).
77
deport
(v) to remove (an unwanted person) from a country. Deportation (n).
78
deportment
(n) behaviour, a person's way of holding himself in standing and walking.
79
deprave
(v) to make morally bad, to corrupt. Depravation (n). Depraved (adj)1. Immoral, wicked. 2. Made bad, perverted, (depraved tastes). Depravity (n) moral corruption, wickedness.
80
deprecate
(v)1. To feel and express disapproval of. 2. To try to turn aside (praise or blame etc) politely. Deprecation (n), deprecatory (adj).
81
derail
(v)(derailed, derailing) to cause (a train) to leave the rails. Derailment (n).
82
derelict
(adj) abandoned, deserted and left to fall into ruin. (n) a person who is abandoned by society or who does not fit into a normal social background.
83
de rigeuer
required by custom or etiquette, (evening dress is de rigeuer).
84
derision
(n) scorn, ridicule. Derisive (adj), derisively (adv). Derisory (adj).
85
derogatory
(adj) disparaging, contemptuous.
86
descendant
(n) a person who is descended from another.
87
desecrate
(v) to treat (a sacred thing) with irreverence or disrespect. Desecration (n), desecrator (n).
88
dessicate
(v) to dry out the moisture from, to dry (solid food) in order to preserve it, (dessicated coconut). Dessication (n), dessicator (n).
89
designate (2)
(v)1. To mark or point out clearly, to specify, (the river was designated as the western boundary). 2. To describe as, to give a name or title to. 3. To appoint to a position, (designated Smith as his successor). Designation (n).
90
desist
(v) to cease from an action etc.
91
desolate
(adj)1. Solitary, lonely. 2. Deserted, uninhabited, barren, dismal. 3. Forlorn and unhappy. Desolated (adj) feeling lonely and wretched. Desolation (n)1. A desolate or barren condition. 2. Loneliness. 3. Grief, wretchedness.
92
despondent
(adj) in low spirits, dejected. Despondently (adv), despondency (n).
93
despot
(n) a tyrant, a ruler who has unrestricted power. Despotic (adj) having unrestricted power. Despotically (adv). Despotism (n) 1. Tyranny, government by a despot. 2. A country ruled by a despot.
94
destitute
(adj) penniless, without the necessaries of life. Destitute of: lacking in something, (a landscape destitute of trees). Destitution (n) being destitute, extreme poverty.
95
detain
(v)1. To keep in confinement or under restraint. 2. To keep waiting, to cause delay to, to keep from proceeding. Detainee (n) a person who is detained by the authorities.
96
détente
(n) the easing of strained relations between countries.
97
(v) to explode or cause to explode loudly. Detonation (n). Detonator (n): a device that detonates an explosive.
detract
98
detract
(v) to take away a part, to lessen (a quantity, value, etc), (it will detract from our pleasure). Detraction (n). Detractor (n) a person who criticises something unfavourably, (the plan has its detractors).
99
detritus
(n)1. Matter (such as gravel, sand, and salt) produced by the disintegration of rock. 2. Debris.
100
deviant
(adj) deviating (turning aside or diverging from) from what is accepted as normal or usual. (n) a person who deviates from accepted standards in his beliefs or behaviour.
101
devise
(v) to think out, to plan, to invent.
102
devoid
(adj) lacking or free from something, (devoid of merit).
103
devolve
(v) to pass or be passed in to a deputy or successor, (this work will devolve on the new manager). Devolution (n).
104
diabolical
(adj)1. Like a devil, very cruel or wicked. 2. Fiendishly clever or cunning or annoying. Diabolically (adv). Diabolic (adj) of the Devil.
105
diadem
(n) a crown or headband worn as a sign of sovereignty.
106
diaphanous
(adj)(of fabric) light, delicate, and almost transparent.
107
dicey
(adj)(slang) risky, unreliable.
108
dictator
(n)1. A ruler who has unrestricted authority, especially one who has taken control by force. 2. A person with supreme authority in any sphere, one who dictates what is to be done. 3. A domineering person. Dictatorship (n). Dictatorial (adj).
109
diction
(n) a person's manner of uttering or pronouncing words.
110
didactic
(adj)1. Giving instruction. 2. Having the manner of one who is lecturing pupils. Didactically (adv).
111
diffract
(v) to break up (a beam of light) into a series of dark and light bands or the coloured bands of the spectrum, or (a beam of radiation or particles) into a series of bands of alternately high and low intensities. Diffraction (n).
112
dignitary
(n) a person holding a high rank or position, especially in the Church.
113
digress
(v) to depart from the main subject temporarily in speaking or writing. Digression (n).
114
digs
(pl n)(informal) lodgings.
115
dike
(n)1. A long wall or embankment to keep back water and prevent flooding. 2. A ditch for draining water from land. 3. A wall-like upright mass of igneous rock that cuts through the surrounding strata; (dike swarm) a large number of these close together.
116
dilapidated
(adj) falling to pieces, in a state of disrepair. Dilapidation (n).
117
diminutive
(adj) remarkably small. (n) a word for a small specimen of something (eg. booklet, duckling), or affectionate form of a name (eg. dearie, Johnnie).
118
dingy
(adj) (dinger, dingiest) dirty-looking, not fresh or cheerful. Dingily (adv), dinginess (n).
119
diplomatic
(adj)1. Of or engaged in diplomacy (the handling of international relations). 2. Tactful, (a diplomatic reply). Diplomatically (adv).
120
dire
(adj)1. Dreadful, terrible, (in dire peril). 2. Ominous, predicting trouble, (dire warnings). 3. Extreme and urgent, (in dire need).
121
directive
(n) a general instruction issued by authority.
122
dirge
(n) a slow mournful song, a lament for the dead.
123
disallow
(v) to refuse to allow or accept as valid, (the judge disallowed the claim).
124
disapprobation
(n) disapproval.
125
disarmament
(n) reduction of a country's armed forces or weapons of war.
126
disarray
(n) disorder. (v) to disarrange.
127
disavow
(v) to disclaim. Disavowal (n).
128
disband
(v) to break up, to separate, (disbanded the choir); (the troops disbanded). Disbandment (n).
129
discern
(v) to perceive clearly with the mind or senses. Discernment (n). Discernible (adj), discernibly (adv). Discerning (adj): perceptive, showing good judgment.
130
disciplinarian
(n) one who enforces or believes in strict discipline.
131
disclaim
(v) to disown; (they disclaim responsibility for e accident), say that they are not responsible. Disclaimer (n): a statement disclaiming something.
132
disclose
(v) to expose to view, to reveal, to make known. Disclosure (n).
133
discomfit
(v)(discomfited, discomfiting) to disconcert. Discomfiture (n).
134
disconcert
(v) to upset the self-possession of, to fluster.
135
discontent
(n) dissatisfaction, lack of contentment. Discontented (adj): not contented, feeling discontent.
136
discontinuous
(adj) not continuous. Discontinuity (n). Discontinue (v): to put an end to, to come to an end. discontinuance (n).
137
discord
(n)1. Disagreement, quarrelling. 2. A combination of notes producing a harsh or unpleasant sounds. Discordant (adj). Discordantly (adv).
138
discourse
(n) a speech or lecture, a written treatise in a subject. (v) to utter or write a discourse.
139
discourteous
(adj) lacking courtesy. Discourteously (adv), discourtesy (n).
140
discredit
(v)(discredited, discrediting) 1. To damage the good reputation of. 2. To refuse to believe. 3. To cause to be disbelieved. (n)1. Damage to reputation. 2. Something that causes this. 3. Doubt, lack of credibility.
141
discreet
(adj)1. Showing caution and good judgment in what one does, not giving away secrets. 2. Not showy or obtrusive. Discreetly (adv). Discretion (n). Discretionary (adj): done or used at a person's discretion.
142
discrete
(adj)1. Discontinuous, individually distinct. 2. (mathematical)... Discretely (adv)
143
discrepancy
(n) difference, failure to tally, (discrepancies between the two accounts). Discrepant (adj).
144
at a person's discretion
In accordance with his decision.
145
discriminate
(v)1. To have good taste or judgment. 2. To make a distinction, to give unfair treatment, especially because of prejudice, (they had discriminated against him). Discrimination (n).
146
disdain
(n) scorn, contempt. (v)1. To regard with disdain, to treat as unworthy of notice. 2. To refrain because of disdain, (she disdained to reply). Disdainful (adj), disdainfully (adv).
147
disembark
(v) to put or go ashore. Disembarkation (n).
148
disembodied
(adj)(of the soul or spirit) freed from the body.
149
disfigure
(v) to spoil the appearance of. Disfigurement (n).
150
disgorge
(v) 1. To pour forth, (the river disgorges itself into the sea). 2. (informal) to hand over, (made him disgorge the stolen property).
151
disgruntled
(adj) discontented, resentful.
152
disharmony
(n) lack of harmony.
153
dishearten
(v) to cause to lose hope or confidence. Disheartenment (n).
154
disillusion
(v) to set free from pleasant but mistaken beliefs. (n) the state of being disillusioned. Disillusionment (n).
155
disincentive
(n) something that discourages an action or effort.
156
disingenuous
(adj) insincere, not frank. Disingenuously (adv).
157
disinterested
(adj)1. Unbiased, not influenced by self- interest. (2. Uninterested, uncaring. (not quite acceptable use)). Disinterestedly (adv).
158
disjointed
(adj)(of talk) disconnected.
159
dislocate
(v)1. To put (a thing) out of place in relation to connecting parts, to displace (a bone) from its proper position in a joint. 2. To put out of order, to disrupt, (fog dislocated traffic). Dislocation (n).
160
dislodge
(v) to move or force from an established position.
161
disloyal
(adj) not loyal. Disloyally (adv). Disloyalty (n).
162
dismal
(adj)1. Causing or showing gloom, dreary. 2. Feeble, (a dismal attempt at humour). Dismally (adv).
163
dismantle
(v) to take away fittings or furnishings from, to take to pieces.
164
dismiss
(v)1. To send away from one's presence or employment. 2. To put out of one's thoughts, to mention or discuss only briefly. 3. To reject without further hearing, (the case was dismissed for lack of evidence). 4. To out (a batsman or side) out in cricket. Dismissal (n).
165
disorientated
(v) to confuse (a person) and make him lose his bearings.
166
disown
(v) to refuse to acknowledge as one's own, to reject all connection with.
167
disparage
(v) to speak of in a slighting way, to belittle. Disparagingly (adv), disparagement (n).
168
disparity
(n) inequality, difference.
169
dispassionate
(adj) free from emotion, calm, impartial. Dispassionately (adv).
170
dispensable
(adj) not essential.
171
dispensation
(n)1. Dispensing, distributing. 2. Ordering or management, especially of the world by Providence, (by the merciful dispensation of Providence). 3. Exemption from a penalty or duty.
172
dispirited
(adj) depressed, disheartened
173
displace
(v)1. To shift from its place. 2. To take the place of, to oust, (weeds tend to displace other plants).
174
disposition
(n)1. Setting in order, arrangement, (the disposition of troops). 2. A person's natural qualities of mind and character, (has a cheerful disposition). 3. A natural tendency or inclination.
175
dispute
(v)1. To argue, to debate. 2. To quarrel. 3. To question the truth or validity of, (dispute a claim); (the disputed territory), that which is the subject if a dispute. (n)1. An argument or debate. 2. A quarrel. In dispute: being argued about; disagreeing, having a dispute. Disputation (n). Disputant (n). Disputable (adj): able to be disputed, questionable.
176
disquiet
(n) uneasiness, anxiety. (v) to make uneasy or anxious.
177
disrepute
(n) lack of good repute, discredit, (fell into disrepute). Disreputable (adj), disreputable (adv).
178
disrobe
(v) to take off official or ceremonial robes, to undress.
179
disrupt
(v) to cause to break up, to throw into disorder, to interrupt the flow or continuity of, (floods disrupted traffic). Disruption (n). Disruptive (adj).
180
disseminate
(v) to spread (ideas etc.) widely. Dissemination (n).
181
dissent
(v) to have or express a different opinion. (n) a difference in opinion. Dissenter (n), dissension (n). Dissentient (adj): dissenting; (n) one who dissents.
182
dissertation
(n) a discourse
183
disservice
(n) a harmful action done by a person who intended to help.
184
dissident
(adj) disagreeing. (n) one who disagrees, one who opposes the authorities. Dissidence (n).
185
dissimilar
(adj) unlike. Dissimilarity (n).
186
dissipate
(v)1. To dispel, to disperse. 2. To squander or fritter away.
187
dissociate
(v) to separate in one's thoughts; (dissociate oneself from a thing), to declare that one has no connection with it. Dissociation (n).
188
dissonant
(adj) discordant. Dissonance (n).
189
distasteful
(adj) unpleasant, arousing distaste (dislike). Distastefully (adv).
190
distend
(v) to swell or become swollen by pressure from within. Distension (n).
191
distort
(v) 1. To pull or twist out of its usual shape. 2. To misrepresent, to twist out of the truth. Distortion (n).
192
distraught
(adj) greatly upset, nearly crazy with grief or worry.
193
disturbed
(adj) emotionally or mentally unstable or abnormal.
194
diurnal
(adj)1. Of the day, not nocturnal. 2. Occupying one day.
195
divan
(n) a low crouch without a raised back or ends, a bed resembling this.
196
diverge
(v)1. To go in different directions from a common point or from each other, to become further apart. 2. To go aside from a path; (diverge from the truth), depart from it. Divergent (adj), divergence (n).
197
divert
(v)1. To turn (a thing) from its course, (divert the stream); (divert attention), distract it; (divert traffic), cause it to go by a different route. 2. to entertain or amuse with recreations (diverting - adj). Diversion (n), diversionary (adj).
198
divest
(v)1. To strip of clothes. 2. To take away, to deprive, (divested him of his power).
199
divination
(n) divining, foretelling future events or discovering new knowledge.
200
divine
(adj)1. Of, from, or like God or a god. 2. (informal) excellent, by beautiful. Divine (v): to discover or learn about future events by what are alleged to be magical means, or by inspiration or guesswork. Divinely (adv), diviner (n).
201
divisive
(adj) tending to cause disagreement among members of a group.
202
divulge
(v) to reveal (information). Divulgation (n).
203
docile
(adj) willing to obey. Docilely (adv), docility (n).
204
docket
(n) a document or label listing good delivered or the contents of a package, or recording payment of customs dues etc. (v)(docketed, docketing) to enter on a docket, to label with a docket.
205
doctrine
(n) a principle or set of principles and beliefs held by a religious or political or other group. Doctrinal (adj).
206
doe
(n) the female of the fallow deer, reindeer, hare, or rabbit.
207
doff
(v) to take off (one's hat etc.)
208
doge
(n) the former ruler of Venice.
209
dogma
(n) a doctrine or doctrines put forward by some authority, especially the Church, to be accepted as true without question. Dogmatic (adj), dogmatically (adv).
210
doldrums
(pl n)1. The ocean regions near the equator where there is little or no wind. 2. A period of inactivity. In the doldrums: in low spirits.
211
dole
(v) to distribute, (dole it out). (n) (informal) a State payment to insured persons who are unable to find employment; (on the dole), receiving this.
212
doleful
(adj) mournful, sad. Dolefully (adv).
213
domain
(n)1. A district or area under someone's control. 2. A field of thought or activity, (the domain of science). 3. (mathematical)...
214
domestic
(adj)1. Of the home or household or family affairs. 2. Of one's own country's not foreign or international, (domestic air services). 3. (of animals) kept by man, not wild. Domestic (n): a servant in a household. Domestically (adv).
215
domicile
(n) a person's place of residence. Domiciled (adj): dwelling in a place.
216
dominate
(v)1. To have a commanding influence over. 2. To be the most influential or conspicuous person or thing. 3. (of a high place) to tower over, (the mountain dominates the whole valley). Domination (n).
217
domineer
(v) to behave in a forceful way, making others obey.
218
dope
(n)1. (informal) a medicine or drug, a narcotic, a drug given to an athlete or horse or greyhound to affect his or its performance. 2. (slang) information. 3. (slang) a stupid person. Dope (v).
219
dormant
(adj)1. Sleeping, lying inactive as if in sleep. 2. (of plants) alive but not actively growing. 3. Temporarily inactive, (a dormant volcano). Dormancy (n).
220
dossier
(n) a set of documents containing information about a person or event.
221
dour
(adj) stern, severe, gloomy-looking. Dourly (adv), dourness (n).
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douse
(v)1. To put into water, to throw water over. 2. To extinguish, (douse the light).
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dovetail
(n) a wedge-shaped joint interlocking two pieces of wood. (v)1. To join by such a joint. 2. To fit closely together, to combine neatly, (my plans dovetailed with hers).
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dowdy
(v)(dowdier, dowdiest) 1. (of clothes) unattractively dull, not stylish. 2. Dressed in dowdy clothes. Drowdily (adv), dowdiness (n).
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downfall
(n) fall from prosperity or power, something that causes this.
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downpour
(n) a great fall of rain.
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downright
(adj)1. Frank, straightforward. 2. Thorough, complete, (a downright lie). (adv) thoroughly, (felt downright scared).
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downtrodden
(adj) trampled underfoot, oppressed.
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downturn
(n) a decline in activity or prosperity.
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dowry
(n) property or money brought by a bride to her husband.
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doyen
(n) the senior member of a staff, profession, etc.
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drake
(n) a male duck.
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draper
(n) a retailer of cloth or clothing.
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draught
(n)1. A current of air in an enclosed place. 2. Pulling; (a draught-horse), one used for pulling heavy loads. 3. The pulling in of a net of fish, the fish caught in this. 4. The depth of water needed to float a ship. 5. The drawing of liquor from a cask etc. 6. One continuous process of swallowing liquid, the amount swallowed. Draughty (adj)(draughtier, draughtiest): letting in sharp current of air.
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draw a blank
to get no response or result.
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draw the line at
To refuse to do or tolerate.
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draw up
To come to a halt; to compose (a contract etc); (draw oneself up), to make oneself stiffly erect.
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drawback
(n)1. A disadvantage. 2. A refund of customs duty, especially on imported goods which are later exported.
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drawing-room
(n) a room in which guests are received in a private house, a sitting- room.
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dreary
(adj)(drearier, dreariest) dull, boring, (of places, etc.) gloomy. Drearily (adv), dreariness (n).
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dredge (1)
(n) an apparatus for scooping things from the bottom of a river or the sea. (v) to bring up or clean out with a dredge. Dredger (n): a dredge, a boat with a dredge.
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dregs
(pl n)1. Bits of worthless matter that sink to the bottom of a liquid. 2. The worst and useless part, (the dregs of society).
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dressing down
a scolding.
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driftwood
(n) wood floating on the sea or washed ashore by it.
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drily
(adv) in a dry way.
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drive at
to intend to convey as a meaning.
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drivel
(n) silly talk, nonsense. (v) (drivelled, drivelling) to talk or write drivel.
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dromedary
(n) a light one-humped camel bred for riding.
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droll
(adj) amusing in an odd way. Drolly (adv), drollery: (n) quaint humour.
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droppings
(pl n) the dung of animals or birds.
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drub
(v)(drubbed, drubbing)1. To thrash. 2. To defeat thoroughly.
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drudge
(n) a person who does dull or laborious or menial work. (v) to do such work. Drudgery (n).
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drum up
to obtain through vigorous effort, (drum up support).
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dual-purpose
(adj) suitable for two purposes.
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dubious
(adj) doubtful. Dubiously (adv).
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dud
(n)(slang) something that is useless or counterfeit or that fails to work. (adj) (slang) useless, defective.
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dude
(n)(Amer.) a dandy.
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in due course
in the proper order, at the appropriate time.
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dues
(pl n) a fee, (harbour dues); what one owes, (pay one's dues).
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duel
(n)1. A fight with weapons between two persons. 2. A contest between two persons or sides. (v)(duelled, duelling) to fight a duel. Duellist (n).
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dulcet
(adj) sounding sweet.
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duly
(adv) in a correct or suitable way.
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dumbfound
(v) to astonish, to strike dumb with surprise.
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dumps
(pl n)(informal) low spirits, (in the dumps).
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dunce
(n) a person who is slow at learning.
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dungarees
(pl n) overalls or trousers of coarse cotton cloth.
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dupe
(n) a person who is deceived or tricked. (v) to deceive, to trick.
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duplicity
(n) double-dealing, deceitfulness.
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duress
(n) the use of force or threats to procure something.
270
dwindle
(v) to become gradually less or smaller.
271
dynamic
(adj)1. Of force producing motion (as opposed to static). 2. (of a person) energetic, having force of character. Dynamically (adv).
