Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DE-MESNE', n. [See DEMAIN.]

DEM'I, a.

A prefix, Fr. demi, from the L. dimidium, signifies half. It is used only in composition.

DEM'I-BRI-GADE, n.

A half-brigade.

DEM'I-CA-DENCE, n.

In music, an imperfect cadence, or one that falls on any other than the key note. Busby.

DEM'I-CAN-NON, n.

A cannon of different sizes; the lowest carries a ball of thirty pounds weight, and six inches diameter; the ordinary is twelve feet long, and carries a shot of six inches and one-sixth diameter, and thirty-two pounds weight; that of the greatest size is twelve feet long, and carries a ball of six inches and five-eighths diameter, and thirty-six pounds weight. Dict.

DEM'I-CROSS, n.

An instrument for taking the altitude of the sun and stars.

DEM'I-CUL-VER-IN, n.

A large gun, or piece of ordnance; the least is ten feet long, and carries a ball of nine pounds weight and four inches diameter; that of ordinary size carries a ball of four inches and two-eighths diameter, and ten pounds eleven ounces in weight; the largest size is ten feet and a third in length, and carries a ball four inches and a half in diameter, and of twelve pounds eleven ounces in weight. Johnson. Encyc.

DEM-I-DE'I-FY, v.t.

To deify in part. Cowper.

DEM'I-DEV-IL, n.

Half a devil. Shak.

DEM'I-DIS-TANCE, n.

In fortification, the distance between the outward polygons and the flank.

DEM'I-DI-TONE, n.

In music, a minor third. Busby.

DEM'I-GOD, n.

Half a god; one partaking of the divine nature; a fabulous hero, produced by the cohabitation of a deity with a mortal. Milton. Pope.

DEM'I-GOD-DESS, n.

A female demi-god. Campbell.

DEM'I-GORGE, n.

In fortification, that part of the polygon which remains after the flank is raised, and goes from the curtain to the angle of the polygon. It is half of the vacant space or entrance into a bastion. Encyc.

DEM'I-GRATE, v.i. [L. demigro.]

To migrate – which see.

DEM-I-GRA'TION, n.

Emigration – which see.

DEM'I-GROAT, n.

A half-groat. Shenstone.

DEM'I-JOHN, n. [Fr. dame-jeanne.]

A glass vessel or bottle with a large body and small neck, enclosed in wicker-work.

DEM'I-LANCE, n.

A light lance; a short spear; a half-pike. Dryden.

DEM'I-LUNE, n.

A half moon.

DEM'I-MAN, n.

Half a man; a term of reproach. Knolles.

DEM'I-NA-TUR-ED, a.

Having half the nature of another animal. Shak.

DEM'I-OF-FI'CIAL, a.

Partly official, or authorized. G. Morris.

DEM'I-PREM-I-SES, n. plur.

Half-premises. Hooker.

DEM'I-QUA-VER, n.

A note in music, of half the length of the quaver.