| dactyloscopy | An examination of the markings in prints made from the fingertips; employed as a method of personal identification. See: Galton's system of classification of fingerprints. Origin: dactylo-+ G. Skopeo, to examine (05 Mar 2000) |
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| dactylospasm | Spasmodic contraction of the fingers or toes. (05 Mar 2000) |
| dactylotheca | <ornithology> The scaly covering of the toes, as in birds. Origin: NL, fr. Gr. Finger, toe + case, box. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| dactylozooid | <zoology> A kind of zooid of Siphonophora which has an elongated or even vermiform body, with one tentacle, but no mouth. See Siphonophora. Origin: Gr. Finger + E. Zooid. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| dactylus | Synonym: digit. Origin: G. Daktylos (05 Mar 2000) |
| dacuronium | A nondepolarising steroid neuromuscular blocking agent with more rapid onset and shorter duration of action than pancuronium. (05 Mar 2000) |
| daddock | The rotten body of a tree. Origin: Cf. Prov. E. Dad a large piece. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| daddy longlegs | 1. <zoology> An arachnidan of the genus Phalangium, and allied genera, having a small body and four pairs of long legs; called also harvestman, carter, and grandfather longlegs. 2. <zoology> A name applied to many species of dipterous insects of the genus Tipula, and allied genera, with slender bodies, and very long, slender legs; the crane fly; called also father longlegs. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| daedalian | 1. Cunningly or ingeniously formed or working; skillful; artistic; ingenious. "Our bodies decked in our daedalian arms." (Chapman) "The daedal hand of Nature." (J. Philips) "The doth the daedal earth throw forth to thee, Out of her fruitful, abundant flowers." (Spenser) 2. Crafty; deceitful. Origin: L. Daedalus cunningly wrought, fr. Gr.; cf. To work cunningly. The word also alludes to the mythical Daedalus (Gr, lit, the cunning worker). Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| daedalous | <botany> Having a variously cut or incised margin; said of leaves. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| daffodil | <botany> A plant of the genus Asphodelus. A plant of the genus Narcissus (N. Pseudo-narcissus). It has a bulbous root and beautiful flowers, usually of a yellow hue. Called also daffodilly, daffadilly, daffadowndilly, daffydowndilly, etc. "With damasc roses and daffadowndillies set." (Spenser) "Strow me the ground with daffadowndillies, And cowslips, and kingcups, and loved lilies." (Spenser) "A college gown That clad her like an April Daffodilly." (Tennyson) "And chance-sown daffodil." (Whittier) Origin: OE. Affodylle, prop, the asphodel, fr. LL. Affodillus (cf. D. Affodille or OF. Asphodile, aphodille, F. Asphodele), L. Asphodelus, fr. Gr. The initial d in English is not satisfactorily explained. See Asphodel. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| dag | A loose end; a dangling shred. "Daglocks, clotted locks hanging in dags or jags at a sheep's tail." (Wedgwood) Origin: OE. Dagge (cf. Dagger); or cf. AS. Dag what is dangling. 1. A dagger; a poniard. 2. A large pistol formerly used. "The Spaniards discharged their dags, and hurt some." (Foxe) "A sort of pistol, called dag, was used about the same time as hand guns and harquebuts." (Grose) 3. <zoology> The unbrunched antler of a young deer. Origin: Cf. F. Dague, LL. Daga, D. Dagge (fr. French); all prob. Fr. Celtic; Cf. Gael. Dag a pistol, Armor. Dag dagger, W. Dager, dagr, Ir. Daigear. Cf. Dagger. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| dagestan | One of the former associated soviet socialist republics, situated on the caspian sea in southwest russia. (12 Dec 1998) |
| dagga | Leaves of Leonotis leonurus, a plant found in South Africa, where it is smoked like tobacco with mild sedative effect; a term mistakenly applied to Indian hemp, Cannabis sativa. Origin: aborigines' term (05 Mar 2000) |
| dagger | 1. A short weapon used for stabbing. This is the general term: cf. Poniard, Stiletto, Bowie knife, Dirk, Misericorde, Anlace. 2. A mark of reference in the form of a dagger ['] It is the second in order when more than one reference occurs on a page; called also obelisk. <zoology> Dagger moth, any moth of the genus Apatalea. The larvae are often destructive to the foliage of fruit trees, etc. Dagger of lath, the wooden weapon given to the Vice in the old Moralities. Double dagger, a mark of reference [<ddagger/] which comes next in order after the dagger. To look, or speak, daggers, to look or speak fiercely or reproachfully. Origin: Cf. OE. Daggen to pierce, F. Daguer. See Dag a dagger. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |