Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DE-MON'STRA-BLY, adv.

In a manner to preclude doubt; beyond the possibility of contradiction.

DEM'ON-STRATE, v.t. [L. demonstro; de and monstro, to show; Fr. demontrer; Sp. and Port. demostrar; It. dimostrare. See Muster.]

1. To show or prove to be certain; to prove beyond the possibility of doubt; to prove in such a manner as to reduce the contrary position to evident absurdity. We demonstrate a problem in geometry, or a proposition in ethics, by showing that the contrary is absurd or impossible.
2. In anatomy, to exhibit the parts when dissected.

DEM'ON-STRA-TED, pp.

Proved beyond the possibility of doubt; rendered certain to the mind.

DEM'ON-STRA-TING, ppr.

Proving to be certain; evidencing beyond the possibility of doubt.

DEM-ON-STRA'TION, n.

1. The act of demonstrating, or of exhibiting certain proof.
2. The highest degree of evidence; certain proof exhibited, or such proof as establishes a fact or proposition beyond a possibility of doubt, or as shows the contrary position to be absurd or impossible.
3. Indubitable evidence of the senses, or of reason; evidence which satisfies the mind of the certainty of a fact or proposition. Thus, we hold that the works of nature exhibit demonstration of the existence of a God.
4. In logic a series of syllogisms, all whose premises are either definitions, self-evident truths, or propositions already established. Encyc.
5. Show; exhibition. Mitford.
6. In anatomy, the exhibition of parts dissected.
7. In military affairs, a movement of troops toward a given point, as if to make an attack.

DE-MON'STRA-TIVE, a.

1. Showing or proving by certain evidence; having the power of demonstration; invincibly conclusive; as, a demonstrative argument, or demonstrative reasoning.
2. Having the power of showing with clearness and certainty; as, a demonstrative figure in painting. Dryden.

DE-MON'STRA-TIVE-LY, adv.

With certain evidence; with proof which can not be questioned; certainly; clearly; convincingly.

DE-MON'STRA-TIVE-NESS, n.

Quality of being demonstrative.

DEM'ON-STRA-TOR, n.

1. One who demonstrates; one who proves any thing with certainty, or with indubitable evidence.
2. In anatomy, one who exhibits the parts when dissected.

DE-MON'STRA-TO-RY, a.

Tending to demonstrate; having a tendency to prove beyond a possibility of doubt.

DE-MOR-AL-I-ZA'TION, n. [See Demoralize.]

The act of subverting or corrupting morals; destruction of moral principles.

DE-MOR'AL-IZE, v.t. [de and moralize or moral]

To corrupt or undermine the morals of; to destroy or lessen the effect of moral principles on; to render corrupt in morals. The effect would be to demoralize mankind. Grattan on Catholic Petition. The native vigor of the soul must wholly disappear, under the steady influence and the demoralizing example of profligate power and prosperous crime. Walsh, Letters on France.

DE-MOR'AL-IZ-ED, pp.

Corrupted in morals.

DE-MOR'AL-IZ-ING, pp.

1. Corrupting or destroying morals or moral principles.
2. adj. Tending to destroy morals or moral principles.

DE-MOS-THEN'IC, a.

Pertaining to Demosthenes, the Grecian orator.

DE-MOT'IC, a. [Gr. δημοτικος, from δημος, people.]

Popular; common; pertaining to the people. Russell.

DE-MULCE', v.t. [demuls'; L. demulceo.]

To soothe; to soften or pacify. [Not used.]

DE-MUL'CENT, a. [L. demulcens, demulceo; de and mulceo, to stroke, to soften; allied perhaps to mollis, mellow.]

Softening; mollifying; lenient; as, oil is demulcent.

DE-MUL'CENT, n.

Any medicine which lessens the effect of irritation on the solids; that which softens or mollifies; as gums, roots of marsh-mallows, and other mucilaginous substances.

DE-MUR', n.

Stop; pause; hesitation as to the propriety of proceeding; suspense of proceeding or decision. All my demurs but double his attacks. Pope.

DE-MUR', v.i. [Fr. demeurer; Sp. demorar; Port. demorar; It. dimorare; L. demoror; de and moror, to stay or delay, mora, delay; Arm. miret, to hold; Sax. merran, myrran, to hinder; allied to L. miror, and Eng. to moor, Sp. amarrar.]

1. To stop; to pause; to hesitate; to suspend proceeding; to delay determination or conclusion. On receiving this information, the minister demurred, till he could obtain further instructions.
2. In law, to stop at any point in the pleadings, and rest or abide on that point in law for a decision of the cause. Thus the defendant may demur to the plaintif's declaration, alledging it to be insufficient in law; the plaintif may demur to the defendant's plea, for a like reason.

DE-MUR', v.t.

To doubt of. [Not legitimate.] Milton.

DE-MURE', a. [perhaps from demur, that is, set, fixed, stayed, silent.]

Sober; grave; modest; downcast; as, a demure countenance; a demure abasing of the eye. Bacon.

DE-MURE', v.i.

To look with a grave countenance. [Not used.] Shak.

DE-MURE'LY, adv.

With a grave, solemn countenance; with a fixed look; with a solemn gravity. Esop's damsel sat demurely at the board's end. Bacon.