Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DEC'U-PLE, n.

A number ten times repeated.

DEC'U-PLE, v.t.

To make tenfold.

DEC'U-PLED, ppr.

To make tenfold. Coleridge.

DE-CU'RI-ON, n. [L. decurio, from decem, Gr. δεκα, ten.]

An officer in the Roman army, who commanded a decuria, or ten soldiers, which was a third part of the turma, and a thirtieth of the legion of cavalry. Encyc. Temple.

DE-CU'RI-ON-ATE, n.

The state or office of a decurion.

DE-CUR'RENT, a. [L. decurrens, from decurro, to run down; de and curro, to run.]

Extending downward. A decurrent leaf is a sessile leaf, having its base extending downward along the stem. Martyn.

DE-CUR'RENT-LY, adv.

In a decurrent manner.

DE-CUR'SION, n. [L. decursio, from decurro; de and curro, to run.]

The act of running down, as a stream. Hale.

DE-CUR'SIVE, a.

Running down. Decursively pinnate, in botany, applied to a leaf, having the leaflets decurrent or running along the petiole.

DE-CURT', v.t. [L. decurto.]

To shorten by cutting off. [Not in use.]

DE-CURT-A'TION, n. [L. decurto, to shorten; de and curto.]

The act of shortening or cutting short.

DEC'U-RY, n. [L. decuria, from decem, Gr. δεκα, ten.]

A set of ten men under an officer called decurio.

DE-CUS'SATE, or DE-CUS'SA-TED, a.

Crossed; intersected. In botany decussated leaves and branches, are such as grow in pairs which alternately cross each other at right angles, or in a regular manner. Martyn. Lee. In rhetoric, a decussated period is one that consists of two rising and two falling clauses, placed in alternate opposition to each other. For example, “If impudence could effect as much in courts of justice, as insolence sometimes does in the country, Cæsina would now yield to the impudence of Ebutius, as he then yielded to his insolent assault.” J. Q. Adams, Lect.

DE-CUS'SATE, v.t. [L. decusso, to cut or strike across.]

To intersect at acute angles, thus X; or in general, to intersect; to cross; as lines, rays, or nerves in the body. Encyc.

DE-CUS'SA-TING, ppr.

Intersecting at acute angles; crossing.

DE-CUS-SA'TION, n.

The act of crossing at unequal angles; the crossing of two lines, rays or nerves, which meet in a point and then proceed and diverge. Encyc.

DE-DA'LI-AN, a. [from Dædalus, the Athenian, who invented sails or wings.]

Various; variegated; intricate; complex; expert.

DED'A-LOUS, a. [from Dædalus.]

Having a margin with various windings and turnings; of a beautiful and delicate texture; a term applied to the leaves of plants. Martyn. Lee.

DE-DEC'O-RATE, v.t. [L. dedecoro.]

To disgrace. [Not used.]

DE-DEC-O-RA'TION, n.

A disgracing. [Not used.]

DE-DEC'O-ROUS, a.

Disgraceful; unbecoming.

DE-DEN-TI'TION, n. [de and dentition.]

The shedding of teeth. Brown.

DED'I-CATE, a.

Consecrated; devoted; appropriated. Shak.

DED'I-CATE, v.t. [L. dedico; de and dico, dicare, to vow, promise, devote, dedicate. See Class Dg, No. 12, 15, 45. The sense is to send, to throw; hence, to set, to appoint.]

1. To set apart and consecrate to a divine Being, or to a sacred purpose; to devote to a sacred use, by a solemn act or by religious ceremonies; as, to dedicate vessels, treasures, a temple, an altar, or a church, to God or to a religious use. Vessels of silver, of gold, and of brass, which King David did dedicate to the Lord. 2 Sam. viii.
2. To appropriate solemnly to any person or purpose; to give wholly or chiefly to. The ministers of the Gospel dedicate themselves, their time and their studies, to the service of Christ. A soldier dedicates himself to the profession of arms.
3. To inscribe or address to a patron; as, to dedicate a book.

DED'I-CA-TED, pp.

Devoted to a divine Being, or to a sacred use; consecrated; appropriated; given wholly to.