Emily Dickinson Lexicon

deformed, adj. [see deform, v.] (webplay: esteemed, face).

Misshapen; malformed; disfigured; [fig.] condemned; guilty; damned; unredeemed.

defraud (-ed), v. [OFr < L. fraudāre, cheat.]

Swindle; beguile; cheat; rob; unjustly deprive; unfairly dispossess; (see Leviticus 19:13).

defray (-s), v. [Fr. défraye-r < fraier, spend, incur expense]

Redeem; settle; bear; cover financially.

deft, adj. [OE gedæfte, mild, gentle, meek]

Elegant; lithesome; pretty; neat.

defy (defied, defies, -ing), v. [ME < dis-, in twain + fīdāre, trust, give faith to.] (webplay: above, any, do, impotent, law, me, own, phrase, thing, Were, word, would, you).

1. Withstand; oppose; resist attempts; (see Numbers 23:8).
2. Dare; brave; challenge to battle; (see 1 Samuel 17:10).

degrades, v. [ME < L. dēgradāre, lowering by degree.] (webplay: has, itself).

Cheapen; profane; corrupt; defile.

degree (-s), n. [ME degre < L grad-us, step.] (webplay: arts, circumference, rank).

1. Honor; distinction; prestige; commendation; (see 1 Chronicles 17:17).
2. Stage; extent; measure; gradation; (see 1 Chronicles 15:18).
3. Diploma; credentials; certificate of achievement.
4. Unit of temperature; [fig.] temperature.
5. Orientation; direction on a compass; (see 2 Kings 20:9).
6. Measurement of longitude; measurement of latitude.
7. Proportion; division of a circle; measurement of the angle of a circle's segment.

degreeless, adj. [see degree, n.] (webplay: figures).

Absolute; infinite; without measure; [fig.] freezing; temperature of zero degrees.

deified, v. [Fr. déifier < L. de-us, god.] (webplay: covetous, make, man).

Exalt; revere; make holy.

deign (-ed), v. [OFr degn-ier < L. dignārī, deem worthy, think fit.] (webplay: give, men).

1. Condescend; stoop; bow.
2. Grant; dignify; allow; acknowledge; offer; tender.