Dictionary: DI-CHLAM-YD'E-OUS – DIC'TA-TURE

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DI-CHLAM-YD'E-OUS, a. [Gr. δις and χλαμυς, a garment.]

In botany, having two coverings, a calyx and a corol. – Lindley.

DI-CHOT'O-MIZE, v.t. [See the next word.]

To cut into two parts; to divide into pairs.

DI-CHOT'O-MOUS, a. [Gr. διχα, doubly, by pairs, and τεμνω, to cut.]

In botany, regularly dividing by pairs from top to bottom; as, a dichotomous stem. – Martyn.

DI-CHOT'O-MOUS-CO-RYMB-ED, a.

Composed of corymbs, in which the pedicles divide and subdivide by pairs. – Martyn.

DI-CHOT'O-MOUS-LY, adv.

In a dichotomous manner.

DI-CHOT'O-MY, n. [Gr. διχοτομια, a division into two parts; διχα and τεμνω, to cut.]

  1. Division or distribution of ideas by pairs. [Little used.] – Watts.
  2. In astronomy, that phase of the moon in which it appears bisected, or shows only half its disk, as at the quadratures. – Encyc.

DI'CHRO-ISM, n. [Gr. δις and χρωμα, color.]

The property of a crystalized body of appearing under two distinct colors, according to the direction in which light is transmitted through it. – Brande.

DICH'ROIT, n. [See IOLITE.]

DIC'ING-HOUSE, n.

A house where dice is played; a gaming house. [Little used.]

DICK'ER, n. [probably from Gr. δεκα, ten, W. deg, L. decem.]

In old authors, the number or quantity of ten, particularly ten hides or skins; but applied to other things, as a dicker of gloves, &c. [I believe not used in America.]

DI-COC'COUS, a. [Gr. δις and κοκκος, L. coccus, a grain.]

Two-grained; consisting of two cohering grains or cells, with one seed in each; as, a dicoccous capsule. – Martyn.

DI-CO-TYL-E'DON, n. [Gr. δις, two, and κοτυληδωι, a cavity.]

A plant whose seeds divide into two lobes in germinating. – Martyn.

DI-CO-TYL-ED'O-NOUS, a.

Having two lobes. A dicotyledonous plant is one whose seeds have two lobes, and consequently rise with two seminal leaves. – Milne.

DI-CRO'TOS, n. [Gr. δις, and κροτος.]

A double or rebounding pulse.

DIC'TATE, n.

  1. An order delivered; a command.
  2. A rule, maxim or precept, delivered with authority. I credit what the Grecian dictates say. – Prior.
  3. Suggestion; rule or direction suggested to the mind: as, the dictates of reason or conscience.

DIC'TATE, v.t. [L. dicto, from dico, to speak; Sp. dictar; It. dettare; Fr. dicter; Ir. deachtaim. Class Dg.]

  1. To tell with authority; to deliver, as an order, command, or direction; as, what God has dictated, it is our duty to believe.
  2. To order or instruct what is to be said or written; as, a general dictates orders to his troops.
  3. To suggest; to admonish; to direct by impulse on the mind. We say, the spirit of God dictated the message of the prophets to Israel. Conscience often dictates to men the rules by which they are to govern their conduct.

DIC'TA-TED, pp.

Delivered with authority; ordered; directed; suggested.

DIC'TA-TING, ppr.

Uttering or delivering with authority; instructing what to say or write; ordering; suggesting to the mind.

DIC-TA'TION, n.

The act of dictating; the act or practice of prescribing. It affords security against the dictation of laws. – Paley.

DIC-TA'TOR, n. [L.]

  1. One who dictates; one who prescribes rules and maxims for the direction of others.
  2. One invested with absolute authority. In ancient Rome, a magistrate, created in times of exigence and distress, and invested with unlimited power. He remained in office six months.

DIC-TA-TO'RI-AL, a.

  1. Pertaining to a dictator; absolute; unlimited; uncontrollable.
  2. Imperious; dogmatical; overbearing; as, the officer assumed a dictatorial tone.

DIC-TA-TO'RI-AL-LY, adv.

In an imperious, dogmatical manner.

DIC-TA'TOR-SHIP, n.

The office of a dictator; the term of a dictator's office. Authority; imperiousness; dogmatism. – Dryden.

DIC'TA-TO-RY, a.

Overbearing; dogmatical. – Milton.

DIC'TA-TURE, n.

  1. The office of a dictator; dictatorship.
  2. Absolute authority; the power that dictates. – Tooke.