DILIGENT — DIRECTED

DILIGENT — DIRECTED NWAD DILIGENT.1

DILIGENT, a. [L.] NWAD DILIGENT.1

1. Steady in application to business; constant in effort or exertion to accomplish what is undertaken; assiduous; attentive; industrious; not idle or negligent; applied to persons. NWAD DILIGENT.2

Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings. Proverbs 22:29. NWAD DILIGENT.3

2. Steadily applied; prosecuted with care and constant effort; careful; assiduous; as, make diligent search. NWAD DILIGENT.4

The judges shall make diligent inquisition. Deuteronomy 19:18. NWAD DILIGENT.5

DILIGENTLY, adv. With steady application and care; with industry or assiduity; not carelessly; not negligently. NWAD DILIGENTLY.1

Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 6:17. NWAD DILIGENTLY.2

DILL, n. [G.] An annual plant of the genus Anethum, the seeds of which are moderately warming, pungent and aromatic. NWAD DILL.1

DILUCID, a. [L.] Clear. [Not in use.] NWAD DILUCID.1

DILUCIDATE, v.t. To make clear. [Not in use. See Elucidate.] NWAD DILUCIDATE.1

DILUENT, a. [L. See Dilute.] NWAD DILUENT.1

1. Making liquid or more fluid; making thin; attenuating. NWAD DILUENT.2

2. Weakening the strength of, by mixture with water. NWAD DILUENT.3

DILUENT, n. NWAD DILUENT.4

1. That which thins or attenuates; that which makes more liquid. NWAD DILUENT.5

2. That which weakens the strength of; as water, which, mixed with wine or spirit, reduces the strength of it. NWAD DILUENT.6

DILUTE, v.t. [L., to wash. See Deluge.] NWAD DILUTE.1

1. Literally, to wash; but appropriately, to render liquid, or more liquid; to make thin, or more fluid. Thus sirup or molasses is made thin or more liquid by an admixture with water; and the water is said to dilute it. Hence, NWAD DILUTE.2

2. To weaken, as spirit or an acid, by an admixture of water, which renderst the spirit or acid less concentrated. Thus, we dilute spirit, wine or a decoction by adding to it water. NWAD DILUTE.3

3. To make weak or weaker, as color, by mixture. NWAD DILUTE.4

4. To weaken; to reduce the strength or standard of; as, to dilute virtue. NWAD DILUTE.5

DILUTE, a. Thin; attenuated; reduced in strength, as spirit or color. NWAD DILUTE.6

DILUTED, pp. Made liquid; rendered more fluid; weakened, made thin, as liquids. NWAD DILUTED.1

DILUTER, n. That which makes thin, or more liquid. NWAD DILUTER.1

DILUTING, ppr. Making thin or more liquid; weakening. NWAD DILUTING.1

DILUTION, n. The act of making thin, weak, or more liquid. Opposite to dilution is coagulation or thickening. NWAD DILUTION.1

DILUVIAL, DILUVIAN, a. [L., a deluge. See Dilute.] NWAD DILUVIAL.1

1. Pertaining to a flood or deluge, more especially to the deluge in Noahs day. NWAD DILUVIAL.2

2. Effected or produced by a deluge, particularly by the great flood in the days of Noah. NWAD DILUVIAL.3

DILUVIATE, v.i. To run as a flood. [Not much used.] NWAD DILUVIATE.1

DILUVIUM, n. [L.] In geology, a deposit of superficial loam, sand, gravel, etc., caused by the deluge. NWAD DILUVIUM.1

DIM, a. [See Damp.] NWAD DIM.1

1. Not seeing clearly; having the vision obscured and indistinct. NWAD DIM.2

When Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim. Genesis 27:1. NWAD DIM.3

2. Not clearly seen; obscure; imperfectly seen or discovered; as a dim prospect. NWAD DIM.4

3. Somewhat dark; dusky; not luminous; as a dim shade. NWAD DIM.5

4. Dull of apprehension; having obscure conceptions. NWAD DIM.6

The understanding is dim. NWAD DIM.7

5. Having its luster obscured; sullied; tarnished. NWAD DIM.8

How is the gold become dim? Lamentations 4:1. NWAD DIM.9

DIM, v.t. NWAD DIM.10

1. To cloud; to impair the powers of vision; as, to dim the eyes. NWAD DIM.11

2. To obscure; as, to dim the sight; to dim the prospect. NWAD DIM.12

3. To render dull the powers of conception. NWAD DIM.13

4. To make less bright; to obscure. NWAD DIM.14

Each passion dimmed his face. NWAD DIM.15

5. To render less bright; to tarnish or sully; as, to dim gold. NWAD DIM.16

DIMBLE, n. A bower; a cell or retreat. [Not in use.] NWAD DIMBLE.1

DIME, n. A silver coin of the United States, of the value of ten cents; the tenth of a dollar. NWAD DIME.1

DIMENSION, n. [L., to measure; Gr. See Mete and Measure.] In geometry, the extent of a body, or length, breadth and thickness or depth. A line has one dimension, or length; a superficies has two dimensions, length and breadth; and a solid has three dimensions, length, breadth and thickness or depth. The word is generally used int eh plural, and denotes the whole space occupied by a body, or its capacity, size, measure; as the dimensions of a room, or of a ship; the dimensions of a farm, of a kingdom, etc. NWAD DIMENSION.1

DIMENSIONLESS, a. Without any definite measure or extent; boundless. NWAD DIMENSIONLESS.1

DIMENSITY, n. Extent; capacity. NWAD DIMENSITY.1

DIMENSIVE, a. That marks the boundaries or outlines. NWAD DIMENSIVE.1

Who can draw the souls dimensive lines? NWAD DIMENSIVE.2

DIMETER, a. [L.] Having two poetical measures. NWAD DIMETER.1

DIMETER, n. A verse of two measures. NWAD DIMETER.2

DIMIDIATE, v.t. [L.] To divide into two equal parts. NWAD DIMIDIATE.1

DIMIDIATED, a. [L., middle.] Divided into two equal parts; halved. NWAD DIMIDIATED.1

DIMIDIATION, n. The act of having; division into two equal parts. NWAD DIMIDIATION.1

DIMINISH, v.t. [L., to lessen; less.] NWAD DIMINISH.1

1. To lessen; to make less or smaller, by any means; opposed to increase and augment; as, to diminish the size of a thing by contraction, or by cutting off a part; to diminish a number by subtraction; to diminish the revenue by limiting commerce, or reducing the customs; to diminish strength or safety; to diminish the heat of a room. It is particularly applied to bulk and quantity, as shorten is to length. NWAD DIMINISH.2

2. To lessen; to impair; to degrade. NWAD DIMINISH.3

I will diminish them, that they shall no more rule over the nations. Ezekiel 29:15. NWAD DIMINISH.4

3. In music, to take from a note by a sharp, flat or natural. NWAD DIMINISH.5

To diminish from, to take away something. NWAD DIMINISH.6

Neither shall you diminish aught from it Deuteronomy 4:2. NWAD DIMINISH.7

DIMINISH, v.i. To lessen; to become or appear less or smaller. The size of an object diminishes, as we recede from it. NWAD DIMINISH.8

DIMINISHABLE, a. Capable of being reduced in size or quantity. NWAD DIMINISHABLE.1

DIMINISHED, pp. Lessened; made smaller; reduced in size; contracted; degraded. NWAD DIMINISHED.1

DIMINISHING, ppr. Lessening; contracting; degrading. NWAD DIMINISHING.1

DIMINISHINGLY, adv. In a manner to lessen reputation. NWAD DIMINISHINGLY.1

DIMINUENT, a. Lessening. [Little used.] NWAD DIMINUENT.1

DIMINUTE, a. Small. [Not in use.] NWAD DIMINUTE.1

DIMINUTION, n. [L.] NWAD DIMINUTION.1

1. The act of lessening; a making smaller; opposed to augmentation; as the diminution of size, of wealth, of power, of safety. NWAD DIMINUTION.2

2. The state of becoming or appearing less; opposed to increase; as the diminution of the apparent diameter of a receding body. NWAD DIMINUTION.3

3. Discredit; loss of dignity; degradation. NWAD DIMINUTION.4

4. Deprivation of dignity; a lessening of estimation. NWAD DIMINUTION.5

5. In architecture, the contraction of the upper part of a column, by which its diameter is made less than that of the lower part. NWAD DIMINUTION.6

6. In music, the imitation of or reply to a subject in notes of half the length or value of those of the subject itself. NWAD DIMINUTION.7

DIMINUTIVE, a. Small; little; narrow; contracted; as a diminutive race of men or other animals; a diminutive thought. NWAD DIMINUTIVE.1

DIMINUTIVE, n. In grammar, a word formed from another word, usually an appellative or generic term, to express a little thing of the kind; as, in Latin, lapillus, a little stone, from lapis; cellula, a little cell, from cella, a cell; in French, maisonnette, a little house, from maison, a house; in English, manikin, a little man, from man. NWAD DIMINUTIVE.2

DIMINUTIVELY, adv. In a diminutive manner; in a manner to lessen; as, to speak diminutively of another. NWAD DIMINUTIVELY.1

DIMINUTIVENESS, n. Smallness; littleness; want of bulk; want of dignity. NWAD DIMINUTIVENESS.1

DIMISH, a. [from dim.] Somewhat dim, or obscure. NWAD DIMISH.1

DIMISSORY, a. [L. See Dismiss.] NWAD DIMISSORY.1

1. Sending away; dismissing to another jurisdiction. A letter dimissory, is one given by a bishop to a candidate for holy orders, having a title in his diocese, directed to some other bishop, and giving leave for the bearer to be ordained by him. NWAD DIMISSORY.2

2. Granting leave to depart. NWAD DIMISSORY.3

DIMIT, v.t. [L.] To permit to go; to grant to farm; to let. [Not in use.] NWAD DIMIT.1

DIMITY, n. A kind of white cotton cloth, ribbed or figured. NWAD DIMITY.1

DIMLY, adv. [See Dim.] NWAD DIMLY.1

1. In a dim or obscure manner; with imperfect sight. NWAD DIMLY.2

2. Not brightly, or clearly; with a faint light. NWAD DIMLY.3

DIMMING, ppr. Obscuring. NWAD DIMMING.1

DIMMING, n. Obscurity. NWAD DIMMING.2

DIMNESS, n. NWAD DIMNESS.1

1. Dullness of sight; as the dimness of the eyes. NWAD DIMNESS.2

2. Obscurity of vision; imperfect sight; as the dimness of a view. NWAD DIMNESS.3

3. Faintness; imperfection; as the dimness of a color. NWAD DIMNESS.4

4. Want of brightness; as the dimness of gold or silver. NWAD DIMNESS.5

5. Want of clear apprehension; stupidity; as the dimness of perception. NWAD DIMNESS.6

DIMPLE, n. [G., to reel, to indent.] A small natural cavity or depression in the cheek or other part of the face. NWAD DIMPLE.1

DIMPLE, v.i. To form dimples; to sink into depressions or little inequalities. NWAD DIMPLE.2

And smiling eddies dimpled on the main. NWAD DIMPLE.3

DIMPLED, a. Set with dimples; as a dimpled cheek. NWAD DIMPLED.1

DIMPLY, a. Full of dimples, or small depressions; as the dimply flood. NWAD DIMPLY.1

DIM-SIGHTED, a. Having dim or obscure vision. NWAD DIM-SIGHTED.1

DIN, n. [L. This word probably belongs to the root of tone and thunder, and denotes a rumbling or rattling noise.] Noise; a loud sound; particularly, a rattling, clattering or rumbling sound, long continued; as the din of arms; the din of war. NWAD DIN.1

DIN, v.t. To strike with continued or confused sound; to stun with noise; to harass with clamor; as, to din the ears with cries; to din with clamor. NWAD DIN.2

DINE, v.i. [L., to cease. Gr., to feast.] To eat the chief meal of the day. This meal seems originally to have been taken about the middle of the day, at least in northern climates, as it still is by laboring people. Among people in the higher walks of life, and in commercial towns, the time of dining is from tow to five or six o’clock in the afternoon. NWAD DINE.1

DINE, v.t. To give a dinner to; to furnish with the principal meal; to feed; as, the landlord dined a hundred men. NWAD DINE.2

DINETICAL, a. [Gr.] Whirling round. [Not used.] NWAD DINETICAL.1

DING, v.t. pret. dung or dinged. To thrust or dash with violence. [Little used.] NWAD DING.1

DING, v.i. To bluster; to bounce. [A low word.] NWAD DING.2

DING-DONG, Words used to express the sound of bells. NWAD DING-DONG.1

DINGINESS, n. [See Dingy.] A dusky or dark hue; brownness. NWAD DINGINESS.1

DINGLE, n. A narrow dale or valley between hills. NWAD DINGLE.1

DINGLE-DANGLE. Hanging loosely, or something dangling. NWAD DINGLE-DANGLE.1

DINGY, a. Soiled; sullied; of a dark color; brown; dusky; dun. NWAD DINGY.1

DINING, ppr. Eating the principal meal in the day. NWAD DINING.1

DINING-ROOM, n. A room for a family or for company to dine in; a room for entertainments. NWAD DINING-ROOM.1

DINNER, n. [See Dine.] NWAD DINNER.1

1. The meal taken about the middle of the day; or the principal meal of the day, eaten between noon and evening. NWAD DINNER.2

2. An entertainment; a feast. NWAD DINNER.3

Behold, I have prepared my dinner. Matthew 22:4. NWAD DINNER.4

DINNER-TIME, n. The usual time of dining. NWAD DINNER-TIME.1

DINT, n. NWAD DINT.1

1. A blow; a stroke. NWAD DINT.2

2. Force; violence; power exerted; as, to win by dint of arms, by dint of war, by dint of argument or importunity. NWAD DINT.3

3. The mark made by a blow; a cavity or impression made by a blow or by pressure on a substance; often pronounced dent. NWAD DINT.4

His hands had made a dint. NWAD DINT.5

DINT, v.t. To make a mark or cavity on a substance by a blow or by pressure. [See Indent.] NWAD DINT.6

DINTED, pp. Marked by a blow or by pressure; as deep-dinted furrows. NWAD DINTED.1

DINTING, ppr. Impressing marks or cavities. NWAD DINTING.1

DINUMERATION, n. The act of numbering singly. [Little used.] NWAD DINUMERATION.1

DIOCESAN, a. [See Diocese. The accent on the first and on the third syllable is nearly equal. The accent given to this word int he English books is wrong, almost to ridiculousness.] Pertaining to a diocese. NWAD DIOCESAN.1

DIOCESAN, n. A bishop; one in possession of a diocese, and having the ecclesiastical jurisdiction over it. NWAD DIOCESAN.2

DIOCESE, n. [Gr., administration, a province or jurisdiction; residence; to dwell; a house. Diocese is a very erroneous orthography.] The circuit or extent of a bishops jurisdiction; an ecclesiastical division of a kingdom or state, subject to the authority of a bishop. In England there are two provinces or circuits of archbishops jurisdiction, Canterbury and York. The province of Canterbury contains twenty-one dioceses, and that of York three, besides the isle of Man. Every diocese is divided into archdeaconries, of which there are sixty; and each archdeaconry, into rural deaneries; and every deanery, into parishes. A diocese was originally a division of the Roman empire for the purpose of civil government, a prefecture. But the term is now exclusively appropriated to ecclesiastical jurisdiction. NWAD DIOCESE.1

DIOCTAHEDRAL, a. [Dis and octahedral.] In crystalography, having the form of an octahedral prism with tetrahedral summits. NWAD DIOCTAHEDRAL.1

DIODON, n. The sun-fish; a genus of fishes of a singular form, appearing like the fore part of the body of a deep fish amputated in the middle. NWAD DIODON.1

DIOMEDE, n. An aquatic fowl of the webfooted kind, about the size of a common domestic hen, but its neck and legs much longer. NWAD DIOMEDE.1

DIOPSIDE, n. [Gr.] A rare mineral, regarded by Hauy as a variety of augite, and called by Jameson a subspecies of oblique-edged augite, occurring in prismatic crystals, of a vitreous luster, and of a pale green, or a greenish or yellowish white. The variety with four-sided prims has been called Mussite, from Mussa in Piedmont. It resembles the Sahlite. NWAD DIOPSIDE.1

DIOPTASE, n. Emerald copper ore, a translucent mineral, occurring crystalized in six-sided prisms. NWAD DIOPTASE.1

DIOPTRIC, DIOPTRICAL, a. [Gr., to see through; to see.] NWAD DIOPTRIC.1

1. Affording a medium for the sight; assisting the sight in the view of distant objects; as a dioptric glass. NWAD DIOPTRIC.2

2. Pertaining to dioptrics, or the science of refracted light. NWAD DIOPTRIC.3

DIOPTRICS, n. That part of optics which treats of the refractions of light passing through different mediums, as through air, water or glass. NWAD DIOPTRICS.1

DIORISM, n. [Gr.] Definition. [Rarely used.] NWAD DIORISM.1

DIORISTIC, a. Distinguishing; defining. [Rarely used.] NWAD DIORISTIC.1

DIORISTICALLY, adv. In a distinguishing manner. [Rarely used.] NWAD DIORISTICALLY.1

DIP, v.t. pret. and pp. dipped or dipt. [G.] NWAD DIP.1

1. To plunge or immerse, for a moment or short time, in water or other liquid substance; to put into a fluid and withdraw. NWAD DIP.2

The priest shall dip his finger in the blood. Leviticus 4:6. NWAD DIP.3

Let him dip his foot in oil. Deuteronomy 33:24. NWAD DIP.4

One dip the pencil, and one string the lyre. NWAD DIP.5

2. To take with a ladle or other vessel by immersing it in a fluid, as to dip water from a boiler; often with out, as to dip out water. NWAD DIP.6

3. To engage; to take concern; used intransitively, but the passive participle is used. NWAD DIP.7

He was a little dipt in the rebellion of the commons. NWAD DIP.8

4. To engage as a pledge; to mortgage. [Little used.] NWAD DIP.9

5. To moisten; to wet. [Unusual.] NWAD DIP.10

6. To baptize by immersion. NWAD DIP.11

DIP, v.i. NWAD DIP.12

1. To sink; to emerge in a liquid. NWAD DIP.13

2. To enter; to pierce. NWAD DIP.14

3. To engage; to take a concern; as, to dip into the funds. NWAD DIP.15

4. To enter slightly; to look cursorily, or here and there; as, to dip into a volume of history. NWAD DIP.16

5. To choose by chance; to thrust and take. NWAD DIP.17

6. To incline downward; as, the magnetic needle dips. [See Dipping.] NWAD DIP.18

DIP, n. Inclination downward; a sloping; a direction below a horizontal line; depression; as the dip of the needle. The dip of a stratum, in geology, is its greatest inclination to the horizon, or that on a line perpendicular to its direction or course; called also the pitch. NWAD DIP.19

DIP-CHICK, n. A small bird that dives. NWAD DIP-CHICK.1

DIPETALOUS, a. [Gr., a leaf or petal.] Having two flower-leaves or petals; two-petaled. NWAD DIPETALOUS.1

DIPH-THONG, n. [Gr., sound; L.] A coalition or union of two vowels pronounced in one syllable. In uttering a diphthong, both vowels are pronounced; the sound is not simple, but the two sounds are so blended as to be considered as forming one syllable, as in joy, noise, bound, out. [The pronunciation dipthong is vulgar.] NWAD DIPH-THONG.1

DIPHTHONGAL, a. Belonging to a diphthong; consisting of two vowel sounds pronounced in one syllable. NWAD DIPHTHONGAL.1

DIPHYLLOUS, a. [Gr., a leaf.] In botany, having two leaves, as a calyx, etc. NWAD DIPHYLLOUS.1

DIPLOE, n. [Gr., double.] The soft meditullium, medullary substance, or porous part, between the plates of the skull. NWAD DIPLOE.1

DIPLOMA, n. [Gr., to double or fold. Anciently, a letter or other composition written on paper or parchment and folded; afterwards, an y letter, literary monument, or public document.] A letter or writing conferring some power, authority, privilege or honor. Diplomas are given to graduates of colleges on their receiving the usual degrees; to clergymen who are licensed to exercise the ministerial functions; to physicians who are licensed to practice their profession; and to agents who are authorized to transact business for their principals. A diploma then is a writing or instrument, usually under seal and signed by the proper person or officer, conferring merely honor, as int he case of graduates, or authority, as int he case of physicians, agents, etc. NWAD DIPLOMA.1

DIPLOMACY, n. [This word, like supremacy, retains the accent of its original.] NWAD DIPLOMACY.1

1. The customs, rules and privileges of embassadors, envoys and other representatives of princes and states at foreign courts; forms of negotiation. NWAD DIPLOMACY.2

2. A diplomatic body the whole body of ministers at a foreign court. NWAD DIPLOMACY.3

3. The agency or management of ministers at a foreign court. NWAD DIPLOMACY.4

DIPLOMATED, a. Made by diplomas. NWAD DIPLOMATED.1

DIPLOMATIC, a. NWAD DIPLOMATIC.1

1. Pertaining to diplomas; privileged. NWAD DIPLOMATIC.2

2. Furnished with a diploma; authorized by letters or credentials to transact business for a sovereign at a foreign court. Ministers at a court are denominated a diplomatic body. NWAD DIPLOMATIC.3

3. Pertaining to ministers at a foreign court, or to men authorized by diploma; as a diplomatic character; diplomatic management. NWAD DIPLOMATIC.4

DIPLOMATIC, n. A minister, official agent or envoy to a foreign court. NWAD DIPLOMATIC.5

DIPLOMATICS, n. The science of diplomas, or of ancient writings, literary and public documents, letters, decrees, charters, codicils, etc., which has for its object to decipher old writings, to ascertain their authenticity, their dat, signatures, etc. NWAD DIPLOMATICS.1

DIPPER, n. NWAD DIPPER.1

1. One that dips; he or that which dips. NWAD DIPPER.2

2. A vessel used to dip water or other liquor; a ladle. NWAD DIPPER.3

DIPPING, ppr. NWAD DIPPING.1

1. Plunging or immersing into a liquid and speedily withdrawing, as to ascertain the temperature of water by dipping the finger int it; baptizing by immersion. NWAD DIPPING.2

2. Engaging or taking a concern in. NWAD DIPPING.3

3. Looking into here and there; examining in a cursory, slight or hasty manner. NWAD DIPPING.4

4. Inclining downward, as the magnetic needle. NWAD DIPPING.5

5. Breaking; inclining; as a vein of ore. NWAD DIPPING.6

DIPPING, n. NWAD DIPPING.7

1. The act of plunging or immersing. NWAD DIPPING.8

2. The act of inclining towards the earth; inclination downwards; as the dipping of the needle. NWAD DIPPING.9

3. The interruption of a vein of ore, or stratum of a fossil, in a mine; or a sloping downwards. NWAD DIPPING.10

4. The act of baptizing by the immersion of the whole body in water. NWAD DIPPING.11

DIPPING-NEEDLE, n. A needle that dips; a magnetic needle which dips or inclines to the earth; an instrument which shows the inclination of the magnet, at the different points of the earths surface. In the equatorial regions, the needle takes a horizontal position; but as we recede from the equator towards either pole, it dips or inclines one end to the earth, the north end, as we proceed northward, and the south end, as we proceed southward, and the farther north or south we proceed, the greater is the dip or inclination. This is on the supposition that the poles of the earth and the magnetic poles coincide, which is not the case. The above statement is strictly true, only of the magnetic equator and its poles. NWAD DIPPING-NEEDLE.1

DIPRISMATIC, a. [di and prismatic.] Doubly prismatic. NWAD DIPRISMATIC.1

DIPSAS, n. [gr., dry, thirsty; to thirst.] A serpent whose bite produces a mortal thirst. See Deuteronomy 8:15. NWAD DIPSAS.1

DIPTER, DIPTERA, n. [Gr., a wing.] The dipters are an order of insects having only two wings, and two poisers, as the fly. NWAD DIPTER.1

DIPTERAL, a. Having two wings only. NWAD DIPTERAL.1

DIPTOTE, n. [Gr., to fall.] In grammar, a noun which has only two cases; as, suppetiae, supetias. NWAD DIPTOTE.1

DIPTYCH, n. [Gr., to fold.] A public register of the names of consuls and other magistrates among pagans; and of bishops, martyrs and others, among Christians; so called because it sometimes two leaves folded, but is sometimes contained three or more leaves. The sacred diptych was a double catalogue, in one of which were registered the names of the living, and in the other the names of the dead, which were to be rehearsed during the office. NWAD DIPTYCH.1

DIPYRE, n. A mineral occurring in minute prisms, either single or adhering to each other in fascicular groups. Before the blowpipe, it melts with ebullition or intumescence, and its powder on hot coals phosphoresces with a feeble light. Its name, from Gr., two; fire, indicates the double effect of fire, in producing fusion and phosphorescence. NWAD DIPYRE.1

DIRE, a. [L.] Dreadful; dismal; horrible; terrible; evil in a great degree. NWAD DIRE.1

Dire was the tossing, deep the groans. NWAD DIRE.2

DIRECT, a. [L., to make straight. See Right.] NWAD DIRECT.1

1. Straight; right; as, to pass in a direct line from one body or place to another. It is opposed to crooked, winding, oblique. It is also opposed to refracted; as a direct ray of light. NWAD DIRECT.2

2. In astronomy, appearing to move forward in the zodiac, in the direction of the sign; opposed to retrograde; as, the motion of a planet is direct. NWAD DIRECT.3

3. In the line of father and sons; opposed to collateral; as a descendant in the direct line. NWAD DIRECT.4

4. Leading or tending to an end, as by a straight line or course; not circuitous. Thus we speak of direct means to effect an object; a direct course; a direct way. NWAD DIRECT.5

5. Open; not ambiguous or doubtful. NWAD DIRECT.6

6. Plain; express; not ambiguous; as, he said this in direct words; he made a direct acknowledgment. NWAD DIRECT.7

7. In music, a direct interval is that which forms any kind of harmony on the fundamental sound which produces it; as the fifth, major third and octave. NWAD DIRECT.8

Direct tax, is a tax assess on real estate, as houses and lands. NWAD DIRECT.9

DIRECT, v.t. [L.] NWAD DIRECT.10

1. To point or aim in a straight line, towards a place or object; as, to direct an arrow or a piece of ordnance; to direct the eye; to direct a course or flight. NWAD DIRECT.11

2. To point; to show the right road or course; as, he directed me to the left hand road. NWAD DIRECT.12

3. To regulate; to guide or lead; to govern; to cause to proceed in a particular manner; as, to direct the affairs of a nation. NWAD DIRECT.13

Wisdom is profitable to direct. Ecclesiastes 10:10. NWAD DIRECT.14

4. To prescribe a course; to mark out a way. Job 37:3. NWAD DIRECT.15

5. To order; to instruct; to point out a course of proceeding, with authority; to command. But direct is a softer term than command. NWAD DIRECT.16