re·tal·i·ate ( r¹-t²l"¶-³t") v. re·tal·i·at·ed re·tal·i·at·ing re·tal·i·ates v. intr. 1. To return like for like, especially evil for evil. v. tr. 1. To pay back (an injury) in kind. [Late Latin ret³li³re ret³li³t-Latin re- re-Latin t³li½ punishment in kind; See tel …- in Indo-European Roots.] re·tal "i·a"tion n. re·tal "i·a"tive or re·tal "i·a·to"ry ( -…-tôr"¶, -t ½r"¶) adj. re·tal "i·a"tor n.

de·lib·er·ate ( d¹-l¹b"…r-¹t) adj. 1. Done with or marked by full consciousness of the nature and effects; intentional: mistook the oversight for a deliberate insult. 2. Arising from or marked by careful consideration: a deliberate decision. See note at voluntary . 3. Unhurried in action, movement, or manner, as if trying to avoid error: moved at a deliberate pace. See note at slow . v. de·lib·er·at·ed de·lib·er·at·ing de·lib·er·ates ( -…-r³t") v. intr. 1. To think carefully and often slowly, as about a choice to be made. 2. To consult with another or others in a process of reaching a decision. v. tr. 1. To consider (a matter) carefully and often slowly, as by weighing alternatives. See note at ponder . [Latin d¶lºber³tus,past participle of d¶lºber³reto consider, weigh d¶- de- lºbr³re to balance( from lºbra a balance, scales) ] de·lib "er·ate·ly adv. de·lib "er·ate·ness n.

e·ven 1 ( ¶"v…n) adj. 1. a. Having a horizontal surface; flat: an even floor. b. Having no irregularities, roughness, or indentations; smooth. See note at level . c. Being in the same plane or line; parallel: The picture is even with the window. 2. a. Having no variations or fluctuations; uniform: the even rhythm of his breathing. See note at steady . b. Of uniform distribution: an even application of varnish. c. Placid; calm: an even temperament. 3. a. Equal or identical in degree, extent, or amount: Use even amounts of butter and sugar. b. Equally matched or balanced: an even fight. c. Just; fair: an even bargain. d. Having nothing due on either side; square: If we each take half, then we'll be even. e. Having exacted full revenge. 4. Having equal probability; as likely as not: an even chance of winning. 5. Sports a. Having an equal score: The teams are even at halftime. b. Being equal for each opponent. Used of a score. 6. Mathematics a. Exactly divisible by 2. b. Characterized or indicated by a number exactly divisible by 2. 7. a. Having an even number in a series. b. Having an even number of members. 8. Having an exact amount, extent, or number; precise: an even pound; an even foot. adv. 1. a. To a greater degree or extent. Used as an intensive with comparative adjectives and adverbs: Looked sick and felt even worse. b. Indeed; moreover. Used as an intensive: He was depressed, even suicidal. Even a child knows better. c. Used as an intensive to indicate something that is unexpected: declined even to consider the idea. 2. At the same time as; already; just: Even as we watched, the building collapsed. 3. To a degree that extends; fully: loyal even unto death. 4. Exactly; precisely: It was even as he said: the jewel was gone. v. tr. intr. e·vened e·ven·ing e·vens 1. To make or become even.

Idioms: on an even keel 1. In a stable or unimpaired state: " There was good reason to keep relations with Washington on an even keel " Helen Kitchen [Middle English from Old English efen] e "ven·er n. e "ven·ly adv. e "ven·ness n.

e·ven 2 ( ¶"v…n) n. Archaic 1. Evening. [Middle English from Old English Æfen]

deb·it ( dµb"¹t) n. 1. An item of debt as recorded in an account. 2. a. An entry of a sum in the debit or left-hand side of an account. b. The sum of such entries. 3. The left-hand side of an account or accounting ledger where bookkeeping entries are made. 4. A drawback; a detriment. v. tr. Deb·it·ed deb·it·ing deb·its 1. To enter (a sum) on the left-hand side of an account or accounting ledger. 2. To charge with a debit: The bank debited my account for the overdrawn check. [Middle English debite from Latin d¶bitum debt; See debt ]

de·cide ( d¹-sºd") v. de·cid·ed de·cid·ing de·cides v. tr. 1. To settle conclusively all contention or uncertainty about: decide a case; decided the dispute in favor of the workers. 2. To influence or determine the outcome of: A few votes decided the election. 3. To cause to make or reach a decision. v. intr. 1. To pronounce a judgment; announce a verdict. 2. To make up one's mind. [Middle English deciden from Old French decider from Latin d¶cºdere to cut off, decide d¶- de- caedere to cut; See ka …-id- in Indo-European Roots.] de·cid·a·bil "i·ty n. de·cid "a·ble adj. de·cid "er n.

Synonyms: decide determine settle rule conclude resolve These verbs are compared as they mean to make or cause to make a decision. Decide is the least specific: " If two laws conflict with each other, the courts must decide on the operation of each " (John Marshall). Her parents' pleas decided her against dropping out of college. Determine often involves somewhat narrower issues: A jury will determine whether the charges are true or false. Settle stresses finality of decision: " The lama waved a hand to show that the matter was finally settled in his mind " (Rudyard Kipling). Rule implies that the decision is handed down by someone in authority: The faculty committee ruled that changes in the curriculum should be implemented. Conclude suggests that a decision, opinion, or judgment has been arrived at after careful consideration: She concluded that it would be better to ignore the criticism. Resolve stresses the exercise of choice in making a firm decision: I resolved to lose weight. We resolved that nothing they said could induce us to trust them.

ka …-id-. Important derivatives are: cement chisel scissors circumcise concise decide precise To strike. I. 1. CAESURA , CEMENT , CESTUS 2 , CHISEL , -CIDE , SCISSOR ; ABSCISE , CIRCUMCISE , CONCISE , DECIDE , EXCISE 2 , INCISE , PRECISE , RECISION , from Latin caedere , to cut, strike. 2. CAELUM , from Latin caelum (? < *caedum ), sculptor's chisel. [ Pokorny (s)k(h)ai- 917. ]

dec·ile ( d¹s"ºl", - …l) n. Statistics 1. Any one of the numbers or values in a series dividing the distribution of the individuals in the series into ten groups of equal frequency. 2. Any one of the ten groups. [ dec(i)- -ile 2 ]

de·fy ( d¹-fº") v. tr. de·fied de·fy·ing de·fies 1. a. To oppose or resist with boldness and assurance: defied the blockade by sailing straight through it. b. To refuse to submit to or cooperate with: defied the court order by leaving the country; played his trumpet past midnight, defying the neighbors. 2. To be unaffected by; resist or withstand: " So the plague defied all medicines " Daniel Defoe 3. To challenge or dare (someone) to do something: She defied her accusers to prove their charges. [Middle English defien from Old French desfier from Vulgar Latin *disf ºd³re Latin dis- dis-Latin fºdus faithful; See bheidh- in Indo-European Roots.]

Synonyms: defy beard brave challenge dare face front The central meaning shared by these verbs is " to confront boldly and courageously ": an innovator defying tradition; bearded the power of the king; braving all criticism; challenged the opposition to produce proof; daring him to deny the statement; faced her accusers; front death with dignity.

de·fi·er ( d¹-fº"…r) n. 1. One that defies: a staunch defier of tradition.

de·fy ( d¹-fº") v. tr. de·fied de·fy·ing de·fies 1. a. To oppose or resist with boldness and assurance: defied the blockade by sailing straight through it. b. To refuse to submit to or cooperate with: defied the court order by leaving the country; played his trumpet past midnight, defying the neighbors. 2. To be unaffected by; resist or withstand: " So the plague defied all medicines " Daniel Defoe 3. To challenge or dare (someone) to do something: She defied her accusers to prove their charges. [Middle English defien from Old French desfier from Vulgar Latin *disf ºd³re Latin dis- dis-Latin fºdus faithful; See bheidh- in Indo-European Roots.]

Synonyms: defy beard brave challenge dare face front The central meaning shared by these verbs is " to confront boldly and courageously ": an innovator defying tradition; bearded the power of the king; braving all criticism; challenged the opposition to produce proof; daring him to deny the statement; faced her accusers; front death with dignity.

de·file 1 ( d¹-fºl") v. tr. de·filed de·fil·ing de·files 1. To make filthy or dirty; pollute: defile a river with sewage. 2. To debase the pureness or excellence of; corrupt: a country landscape that was defiled by urban sprawl. 3. To profane or sully (a good name, for example). 4. To make unclean or unfit for ceremonial use; desecrate: defile a temple. 5. To violate the chastity of. [Middle English defilen alteration( influenced by filen) (from Old English fþlan);See p ü- in Indo-European Roots.of defoulen to trample on, abuse, pollute from Old French defouler to trample, full cloth de- de- fouler to trample, beat down; See full 2 ] de·file "ment n. de·fil "er n. de·fil "ing·ly adv.

de·file 2 ( d¹-fºl") v. intr. de·filed de·fil·ing de·files 1. To march in single file or in files or columns. n. 1. A narrow gorge or pass that restricts lateral movement, as of troops. 2. A march in a line. [French défiler dé- away, off( from Old French de-) ;See de- file line, file( from Old French filer to spin thread, march in line) ;See file 1 N., from French défilé, from past participle of défiler]

g w hº-. Important derivatives are: filament file 1 profile Thread, tendon. I. Contracted from *g w hi…-. Suffixed form *g w hº-slo-. FILAMENT , FILAR , FILARIA , FILE 1 , FILLET , FILOSE , FILUM ; ( DEFILE 2 ), ENFILADE , FILIFORM , FILIGREE , FILOPLUME , PROFILE , PURFLE , from Latin f ºlum, thread. [ Pokorny g ø hei…- 489. ]

p ü-. Important derivatives are: foul filth defile 1 fuzzy putrid potpourri putrefy purulent pus. To rot, decay. I. 1. Suffixed form *p ¿-lo-. a. FOUL , from Old English f ¿l, unclean, rotten; b. FULMAR , from Old Norse f ¿ll, foul; c. FILTH , from Old English f þlth, foulness, from Germanic abstract noun *f ¿lith½; d. FILE 3 ; DEFILE 1 , from Old English f þlan, to sully, from Germanic denominative *f ¿ljan, to soil, dirty. a, b, c, and d all from Germanic *f ¿laz, rotten, filthy. 2. Extended form *pug- . FOG 2 , from Middle English fog , fogge , aftermath grass, from a Scandinavian source probably akin to Icelandic f ¿ki, rotten sea grass, and Norwegian fogg , rank grass, from Germanic *fuk- . 3. Extended variant form *pous- . FUZZY , from Low German fussig , spongy, from Germanic *fausa- . 4. Suffixed form *pu-tri- . PUTRESCENT , PUTRID ; ( OLLA PODRIDA ), ( POTPOURRI ), PUTREFY , from Latin puter (stem putri- ), rotten. 5. Suffixed form *puw-os- . a. PURULENT , PUS ; SUPPURATE , from Latin p ¿s, pus; b. PYO- , from Greek puon , puos , pus. 6. EMPYEMA , from Greek compound empuein , to suppurate ( en- , in; see en ). [ Pokorny 2. p ü- 848. ]

de·fine ( d¹-fºn") v. de·fined de·fin·ing de·fines v. tr. 1. a. To state the precise meaning of (a word or sense of a word, for example). b. To describe the nature or basic qualities of; explain: define the properties of a new drug; a study that defines people according to their median incomes. 2. a. To delineate the outline or form of: gentle hills that were defined against the sky. b. To specify distinctly: define the weapons to be used in limited warfare. 3. To serve to distinguish; characterize: " portraits that defined the style of an epoch " Gloria Vanderbilt v. intr. 1. To make or write a definition. [Middle English definen, diffinen from Old French definir, diffiner from Latin d¶fºnºre to limit, determine d¶- intensive pref.; See de- f ºnis boundary, limit] de·fin "a·bil"i·ty n. de·fin "a·ble adj. de·fin "a·bly adv. de·fine "ment n. de·fin "er n.

de·hire ( d¶-hºr") v. tr. de·hired de·hir·ing de·hires Slang 1. To lay off or otherwise terminate (an employee): " [When] top executives . . . are dehired, headhunters get nervous. It's not the way they like to see new business develop " Forbes

deke ( d¶k) Sports v. tr. deked dek·ing dekes 1. To deceive (an opponent) in ice hockey by a fake: deked the goalie with a move from left to right. n. 1. A fake, intended to deceive a member of an opposing team. [Short for decoy ]

de·lict ( d¹-l¹kt") n. Law 1. A legal offense; a misdemeanor. [Latin d¶lictum,from neuter past participle of d¶linquereto offend; See delinquent ]

de·list ( d¶-l¹st") v. tr. de·list·ed de·list·ing de·lists 1. To remove from a list, especially from a list of securities that may be traded on a stock exchange: delisted the stock.

de·my ( d¹-mº") n. pl. de·mies 1. Any of several standard sizes of paper, especially paper measuring 16 by 21 inches. [Alteration of demi- ]

de·mise ( d¹-mºz") n. 1. a. Death. b. The end of existence or activity; termination: the demise of the streetcar. 2. Law Transfer of an estate by lease or will. 3. The transfer of a ruler's authority by death or abdication. v. de·mised de·mis·ing de·mis·es v. tr. 1. Law To transfer (an estate) by will or lease. 2. To transfer (sovereignty) by abdication or will. v. intr. 1. Law To be transferred by will or descent: The land demised to a charitable institution. 2. To die. [Middle English transfer of property from Old French dimis, past participle of demettre to release; See demit ] de·mis "a·ble adj.

de·mit ( d¹-m¹t") v. de·mit·ted de·mit·ting de·mits v. tr. 1. To relinquish (an office or function). 2. Archaic To dismiss. v. intr. 1. To give up an office or position; resign. [Middle English dimitten to release from Old French demettre from Latin dºmitteredis- away; See dis- mittere to send]

de·ni·al ( d¹-nº"…l) n. 1. A refusal to comply with or satisfy a request. 2. a. A refusal to grant the truth of a statement or allegation; a contradiction. b. Law The opposing by a defendant of an allegation of the plaintiff. 3. a. A refusal to accept or believe something, such as a doctrine or belief. b. Psychology An unconscious defense mechanism characterized by refusal to acknowledge painful realities, thoughts, or feelings. 4. The act of disowning or disavowing; repudiation. 5. Abstinence; self-denial. [From deny ]

de·ny ( d¹-nº") v. tr. de·nied de·ny·ing de·nies 1. To declare untrue; contradict. 2. To refuse to believe; reject. 3. To refuse to recognize or acknowledge; disavow. 4. a. To decline to grant or allow; refuse: deny the student's request; denied the prisoner food or water. b. To give a refusal to; turn down or away: The protesters were determined not to be denied. c. To restrain (oneself) especially from indulgence in pleasures. [Middle English denien from Old French denier from Latin d¶neg³red¶- de- neg³re to say no; See ne in Indo-European Roots.]

Synonyms: deny contradict contravene disaffirm gainsay negate negative traverse The central meaning shared by these verbs is " to refuse to admit the existence, truth, or value of ": denied the rumor; contradicted the statement; contravene a conclusion; disaffirm a suggestion; trying to gainsay the evidence; negate reality; negatived the allegations; traverse an indictment.

de·ni·er 1 ( d¹-nº"…r) n. 1. One that denies: a denier of harsh realities.

den·ier 2 ( d…n-y³") n. 1. also ( dµn"y…r) A unit of fineness for rayon, nylon, and silk fibers, based on a standard mass per length of 1 gram per 9,000 meters of yarn. 2. also ( d…-nîr") a. A small coin of varying composition and value current in western Europe from the eighth century until the French Revolution. b. Archaic A small, trifling sum. [Middle English denere a coin from Old French dener from Latin d¶n³rius;See denarius ]

dek ©. Important derivatives are: ten December decimal dime dozen dean decade tenth hundred cent century percent Ten. I. Basic form *dek ©. 1. a. TEN , from Old English t ºen, ten; b. (see okt ½(u)) Old Norse tjan , ten. Both a and b from Germanic *tehun . 2. EIGHTEEN , FIFTEEN , FOURTEEN , NINETEEN , SEVENTEEN , SIXTEEN , THIRTEEN , from Old English suffix -t ¶ne, -t ºne, -t þne, ten, -teen, from Germanic *tehan . 3. DECEMBER , DECEMVIR , DECI- , DECIMAL , DECIMATE , DECUPLE , DICKER , DIME ; ( DECENNARY ), DECENNIUM , DECUSSATE , DOZEN , DUODECIMAL , OCTODECIMO , SEXTODECIMO , from Latin decem , ten. 4. ( DENARIUS ), DENARY , ( DENIER 2 ), from irregular Latin distributive d ¶nº, by tens, ten each (formed by analogy with n ½nº, nine each). 5. DEAN , DECA- , DECADE , ( DOYEN ); DECAGON , DECALOGUE , DODECAGON , from Greek deka , ten. II. Extended form *dek ©t-. (see dwo- ) Old English -tig , ten, from Germanic *-tig . III. Ordinal number *dek ©to-. TENTH , ( TITHE ), from Old English teogotha , t ¶otha, tenth, from Germanic *teguntha- . IV. Suffixed zero-grade form *-dk ©-tá, reduced to *-k ©tá, and lengthened o-grade form *-dk ½m-tá, reduced to *-kont á. 1. NONAGENARIAN , OCTOGENARIAN , SEPTUAGINT , SEXAGENARY , from Latin -gint ³, ten times. 2. PENTECOST , from Greek *-konta , ten times. V. Suffixed zero-grade form *dk ©-tom, hundred, reduced to *k ©tom. 1. HUNDRED , from Old English hundred , hundred ( -red , from Germanic *radam , number; see ar- ), from Germanic *hundam , hundred. 2. (see teu …-) Germanic *th ¿s-hundi, " swollen hundred, " thousand. 3. CENT , CENTAL , CENTAVO , ( CENTENARIAN ), CENTENARY , CENTESIMAL , CENTI- , CENTIME , ( CENTNER ), CENTUM , CENTURY ; CENTENNIAL , CINQUECENTO , PERCENT , QUATTROCENTO , SEICENTO , ( SEN 2 ), ( SENITI ), SEXCENTENARY , TRECENTO , from Latin centum , hundred. 4. HECATOMB , HECTO- , from Greek hekaton , a hundred (? dissimilated from *hem-katon , one hundred; see sem- 1 ). 5. STOTINKA , from Old Church Slavonic s ¾to, hundred. 6. SATEM , from Avestan sat …m, hundred. [ Pokorny de ç© 191. See also compound root w ºk©tº. ]

den·im ( dµn"¹m) n. 1. a. A coarse twilled cloth, usually cotton, used for jeans, overalls, and work uniforms. b. denims Trousers or another garment made of this cloth. 2. A similar but finer fabric used in draperies and upholstery. [French (serge) de Nîmes (serge) of Nîmes after Nîmes France ]

de·pict ( d¹-p¹kt") v. tr. de·pict·ed de·pict·ing de·picts 1. To represent in a picture or sculpture. 2. To represent in words; describe. See note at represent . [Middle English depicten from Latin d¶pingere d¶pict- d¶- de- pingere to picture; See peig- in Indo-European Roots.] de·pic "tion n.

peig- . Important derivatives are: file 2 paint picture picturesque pigment pimento pinto depict Also peik- To cut, mark (by incision). I. 1. Alternate form *peik- . FILE 2 , from Old English f ºl, file, from Germanic *f ºhala, cutting tool. 2. Nasalized zero-grade form *pi-n-g- . PAINT , PICTOR , PICTURE , PICTURESQUE , PIGMENT , PIMENTO , PINT , PINTO ; DEPICT , PICTOGRAPH , from Latin pingere , to embroider, tattoo, paint, picture. 3. Suffixed zero-grade form *pik-ro- . PICRO- , from Greek pikros , sharp, bitter. 4. O-grade form *poik- . PLATY 2 , POIKILOTHERM , from Greek poikilos , spotted, pied, various. [ Pokorny 1. peig- 794. ]

de·rib ( d¶-r¹b") v. tr. de·ribbed de·rib·bing de·ribs 1. To remove the ribs from before preparing as part of a meal: deribbed the green peppers.

de·ride ( d¹-rºd") v. tr. de·rid·ed de·rid·ing de·rides 1. To speak of or treat with contemptuous mirth. See note at ridicule . [Latin d¶rºd¶red¶- de- rºd¶re to laugh at] de·rid "er n. de·rid "ing·ly adv.

de·rive ( d¹-rºv") v. de·rived de·riv·ing de·rives v. tr. 1. To obtain or receive from a source. 2. To arrive at by reasoning; deduce or infer: derive a conclusion from facts. 3. To trace the origin or development of (a word). 4. Chemistry To produce or obtain (a compound) from another substance by chemical reaction. v. intr. 1. To issue from a source; originate. See note at stem 1 . [Middle English deriven to be derived from from Old French deriver from Latin d¶rºv³re to derive, draw off d¶- de- rºvus stream; See rei- in Indo-European Roots.] de·riv "a·ble adj. de·riv "er n.

rei- . Important derivatives are: run rill rival rivulet derive To flow, run. I. 1. Suffixed zero-grade form *ri-nu- . a. RUN , RUNNEL , from Old English rinnan , to run, and Old Norse rinna , to run (from Germanic *rinnan , to run, from *ri-nw-an ), and from Old English causative ærnan , eornan , to run (from secondary Germanic causative *rannjan ); b. EMBER DAY , from Old English ryne , a running, from secondary Germanic derivative *runiz ; c. RENNET , from Old English *rynet , from secondary Germanic derivative *runita- . 2. Suffixed zero-grade form *ri-l- . RILL , from Dutch ril or Low German rille , running stream, from Germanic *ril- . 3. Suffixed form *rei-wo- . RIVAL , RIVULET ; DERIVE , from Latin r ºvus, stream. [ Pokorny 3. er- 326. ]

de·sign ( d¹-zºn") v. de·signed de·sign·ing de·signs v. tr. 1. a. To conceive or fashion in the mind; invent: design a good excuse for not attending the conference. b. To formulate a plan for; devise: designed a marketing strategy for the new product. 2. To plan out in systematic, usually graphic form: design a building; design a computer program. 3. To create or contrive for a particular purpose or effect: a game designed to appeal to all ages. 4. To have as a goal or purpose; intend. 5. To create or execute in an artistic or highly skilled manner. v. intr. 1. To make or execute plans. 2. To have a goal or purpose in mind. 3. To create designs. n. 1. a. A drawing or sketch. b. A graphic representation, especially a detailed plan for construction or manufacture. 2. The purposeful or inventive arrangement of parts or details: the aerodynamic design of an automobile; furniture of simple but elegant design. 3. The art or practice of designing or making designs. 4. Something designed, especially a decorative or an artistic work. 5. An ornamental pattern. See note at figure . 6. A basic scheme or pattern that affects and controls function or development: the overall design of an epic poem. 7. A plan; a project. See note at plan . 8. a. A reasoned purpose; an intent: It was her design to set up practice on her own as soon as she was qualified. b. Deliberate intention: He became a photographer more by accident than by design. 9. Often designs A secretive plot or scheme: He has designs on my job. [Middle English designen from Latin d¶sign³re to designate; See designate ] de·sign "a·ble adj.

de·sire ( d¹-zºr") v. tr. de·sired de·sir·ing de·sires 1. To wish or long for; want. 2. To express a wish for; request. n. 1. A wish or longing. 2. A request or petition. 3. The object of longing: My greatest desire is to go back home. 4. Sexual appetite; passion. [Middle English desiren from Old French desirer from Latin d¶sºder³red¶- de- sºdus sºder-star] de·sir "er n.

Synonyms: desire covet crave want wish The central meaning shared by these verbs is " to have a strong longing for ": desire peace; coveted the new convertible; craving fame and fortune; wanted a drink of water; got all she wished.

de·sist ( d¹-s¹st", -z ¹st") v. intr. de·sist·ed de·sist·ing de·sists 1. To cease doing something; forbear. See note at stop . [Middle English desisten from Old French desister from Latin d¶sistered¶- de- sistere to bring to a standstill; See st ³- in Indo-European Roots.]

st ³-. Important derivatives are: steed stud 2 stool stage stance stanza stay 1 arrest circumstance constant contrast cost distant instant obstacle obstetric rest 2 substance stand understand standard stem 1 station static destine obstinate state statue statute institute prostitute substitute superstition establish stable 1 assist exist insist resist ecstasy system post 1 store steer 1 steer 2 To stand; with derivatives meaning " place or thing that is standing. " Contracted from *sta …-. I. Basic form *st ³-. 1. Extended form *st ³dh-. a. STEED , from Old English st ¶da, stallion, studhorse ( < " place for breeding horses "), from Germanic *st ½d-j½n-; b. STUD 2 , from Old English st ½d, establishment for breeding horses, from Germanic *st ½d½. 2. Suffixed form *st ³-lo-. a. STOOL , from Old English st ½l, stool; b. (see pel- 2 ) Germanic compound *faldist ½laz. Both a and b from Germanic *st ½laz. 3. ESTANCIA , STAGE , STANCE , STANCH 1 , STANCHION , ( STANZA ), STATOR , STAY 1 , STET ; ARREST , CIRCUMSTANCE , CONSTANT , CONTRAST , ( COST ), DISTANT , EXTANT , INSTANT , OBSTACLE , OBSTETRIC , ( OUST ), REST 2 , RESTIVE , SUBSTANCE , from Latin st ³re, to stand. 4. Suffixed form *st ³-men-. ETAMINE , STAMEN , STAMMEL , from Latin st ³men, thread of the warp (a technical term). 5. Suffixed form *st ³-mon-. PENSTEMON , from Greek st ¶m½n, thread. 6. Suffixed form *st ³-ro-. STARETS , from Old Church Slavonic star ¾, old ( "long-standing"). II. Zero-grade form *st …- (before consonants). 1. Nasalized extended form *st …-n-t-. a. STAND , from Old English standan , to stand; b. UNDERSTAND , from Old English understandan , to know, stand under ( under- , under-; see ö dher); c. STANDARD , from Frankish *standan , to stand; d. STOUND , from Old English stund , a fixed time, while, from secondary zero-grade form in Germanic *stund- ½. a, b, c, and d all from Germanic *standan . 2. Suffixed form *st …-tyo-. STITHY , from Old Norse stedhi , anvil, from Germanic *stathj ½n-. 3. Suffixed form *st …-tlo-. STADDLE , STARLING 2 , from Old English stathol , foundation, from Germanic *stathlaz . 4. Suffixed form *st …-mno-. STEM 1 , from Old English stefn , stem, tree trunk, from Germanic *stamniz . 5. Suffixed form *st …-ti-. a. (i) STEAD , from Old English stede , place; (ii) STADHOLDER , from Dutch stad , place; (iii) SHTETL , from Old High German stat , place. (i), (ii) , and (iii) all from Germanic *stadiz ; b. STAT 2 , from Latin statim , at once; c. STATION , from Latin stati ½, a standing still; d. ARMISTICE , SOLSTICE , from Latin -stitium , a stoppage; e. STASIS , from Greek stasis (see III. 1. b .), a standing, a standstill. 6. Suffixed form *st …-to-. a. BESTEAD , from Old Norse stadhr , place, from Germanic *stadaz , placed; b. -STAT , STATIC , STATICE , STATO- ; ASTASIA , ( ASTATINE ), from Greek statos , placed, standing. 7. Suffixed form *st …-no-. a. DESTINE , from Latin d ¶stin³re, to make firm, establish ( d ¶-, thoroughly; see de- ); b. OBSTINATE , from Latin obstin ³re, to set one's mind on, persist ( ob- , on; see epi ). 8. Suffixed form *st …-tu-. STATE , STATISTICS , ( STATUE ), STATURE , STATUS , STATUTE ; CONSTITUTE , DESTITUTE , INSTITUTE , PROSTITUTE , RESTITUTE , SUBSTITUTE , SUPERSTITION , from Latin status , manner, position, condition, attitude, with derivatives stat ¿ra, height, stature, statuere , to set up, erect, cause to stand, and superstes ( < *-st …-t-), witness ( "who stands beyond "). 9. Suffixed form *st …-dhlo-. STABLE 2 ; CONSTABLE , from Latin stabulum , " standing place, " stable. 10. Suffixed form *st …-dhli-. ESTABLISH , STABLE 1 , from Latin stabilis , standing firm. 11. Suffixed form *st …-t³. -STAT ; ENSTATITE , from Greek -stat ¶s, one that causes to stand, a standing. III. Zero-grade form *st- , *st( …)- (before vowels). 1. Reduplicated form *si-st( …)-. a. ASSIST , CONSIST , DESIST , EXIST , INSIST , INTERSTICE , PERSIST , RESIST , SUBSIST , from Latin sistere , to set, place, stop, stand; b. APOSTASY , CATASTASIS , DIASTASIS , ECSTASY , EPISTASIS , EPISTEMOLOGY , HYPOSTASIS , ICONOSTASIS , ISOSTASY , METASTASIS , PROSTATE , SYSTEM , from Greek histanai (aorist stanai ), to set, place, with stasis ( *st …-ti-), a standing (see II. 5. e .); c. HISTO- ; HISTIOCYTE , from Greek histos , web, tissue ( < " that which is set up "). 2. Compound form *tri-st-i- , " third person standing by " (see trei- ). 3. Compound form *por-st-i- , " that which stands before " ( *por- , before, forth; see per 1 ). POST 1 , from Latin postis , post. 4. Suffixed form *st-o- in compound *upo-st-o- , " one who stands under " (see upo ). IV. Extended root *st ³u- ( < *sta …u-), becoming *stau- before consonants, *st ³w- before vowels; basic meaning " stout-standing, strong. " 1. Suffixed extended form *st ³w-³. STOW , from Old English st ½w, place, from Germanic *st ½w½. 2. Probable o-grade suffixed extended form *st ½w-y³. STOA , STOIC , from Greek stoa , porch. 3. Suffixed extended form *stau-ro- . a. (i) STORE ; INSTAURATION , from Latin º nstaur³re, to restore, set upright again ( in- , on; see en ); (ii) RESTORE , from Latin restaur ³re, to restore, rebuild ( re- , anew, again; see re- ); b. STAUROLITE , from Greek stauros , cross, post, stake. 4. Variant *tau-ro- , bull (see tauro- ). V. Zero-grade extended root *st ¿- ( < *stu …-). Suffixed form *st ¿-lo-. STYLITE ; AMPHISTYLAR , ASTYLAR , EPISTYLE , HYPOSTYLE , PERISTYLE , PROSTYLE , STYLOBATE , from Greek stulos , pillar. VI. Secondary full-grade form *steu …-. Suffixed form *steu …-ro-. THERAVADA , from Sanskrit sthavira- , thick, stout, old. VII. Variant zero-grade extended root *stu- . Suffixed form *stu-t- . STUD 1 , from Old English stuthu , studu , post, prop. VIII. Secondary full-grade form *steu- . 1. Suffixed form *steu-r ³. STARBOARD , from Old English st ¶or-, a steering, from Germanic *steur ½, " a steering. " 2. a. STEER 1 , from Old English st ºeran, st ¶ran, to steer; b. STERN 2 , from Middle English sterne , stern of a boat, possibly from a source akin to Old Norse stj ½rn, a rudder, a steering, derivative of st þra, to steer. Both a and b from Germanic denominative *steurjan . 3. Suffixed form *steu-ro- , a larger domestic animal. STEER 2 , from Old English st ¶or, steer, from Germanic *steuraz , ox. 4. STIRK , from Old English st ºrc, stierc , calf, from Germanic diminutive *steur-ika- , probably from st ³-. [ Pokorny st ³- 1004. ]

de·vice ( d¹-vºs") n. 1. A contrivance or an invention serving a particular purpose, especially a machine used to perform one or more relatively simple tasks. 2. a. A technique or means. b. A plan or scheme, especially a malign one. 3. A literary contrivance, such as parallelism or personification, used to achieve a particular effect. 4. A decorative design, figure, or pattern, as one used in embroidery. See note at figure . 5. A graphic symbol or motto, especially in heraldry. 6. Archaic The act, state, or power of devising.

Idioms: leave to (one's) own devices 1. To allow to do as one pleases: left the child to her own devices for an hour in the afternoon. [Middle English from Old French devis division, wish Old French devise design both from Latin dºvºsus, dºvºsa,past participle of dºvidereto divide, separate]

dev·il ( dµv"…l) n. 1. Often Devil Theology In many religions, the major personified spirit of evil, ruler of Hell, and foe of God. Used with the. 2. A subordinate evil spirit; a demon. 3. A wicked or malevolent person. 4. A person: a handsome devil; the poor devil. 5. An energetic, mischievous, daring, or clever person. 6. Printing A printer's devil. 7. A device or machine, especially one having teeth or spikes and used for tearing. 8. An outstanding example, especially of something difficult or bad: has a devil of a temper. 9. A severe reprimand or expression of anger: gave me the devil for cutting class. 10. Informal Used as an intensive: Who the devil do you think you are? 11. Christian Science The opposite of Truth; error. v. tr. dev·iled or dev·illed dev·il·ing or dev·il·ling dev·ils or dev·ils 1. To season (food) heavily. 2. To annoy, torment, or harass. 3. To tear up (cloth or rags) in a toothed machine.

Idioms: between the devil and the deep blue sea 1. Between two equally unacceptable choices. give the devil his due 1. To give credit to a disagreeable or malevolent person. go to the devil 1. To be unsuccessful; fail. 2. To become depraved. 3. Used in the imperative to express anger or impatience. play the devil with 1. To upset or ruin. the devil take the hindmost 1. Let each person follow self-interest, leaving others to fare as they may. the devil to pay 1. Trouble to be faced as a result of an action: There'll be the devil to pay if you allow the piglets inside the house. [Middle English devel from Old English d¶ofol from Latin diabolus from Late Greek diabolos from Greek slanderer from diaballein to slander dia- dia- ballein to hurl; See g w el…- in Indo-European Roots.]

de·vise ( d¹-vºz") v. tr. de·vised de·vis·ing de·vis·es 1. To form, plan, or arrange in the mind; design or contrive: devised a new system for handling mail orders. 2. Law To transmit or give (real property) by will. 3. Archaic To suppose; imagine. n. Law 1. a. The act of transmitting or giving real property by will. b. The property or lands so transmitted or given. 2. A will or clause in a will transmitting or giving real property. [Middle English devisen from Old French deviser from Vulgar Latin *d ¶vºs³re from Latin *d ºvºs³re,frequentative of dºvidereto divide] de·vis "a·ble adj. de·vis "er n.

dew·y ( d›"¶, dy ›"¶) adj. dew·i·er dew·i·est 1. Moist with or as if with dew: dewy grass in early morning. 2. Accompanied by dew: a dewy morning. 3. Suggestive of the freshness or purity of dew, as in innocence or naiveté: never gave up the dewy outlook of youth. dew "i·ly adv. dew "i·ness n.

dew·y ( d›"¶, dy ›"¶) adj. dew·i·er dew·i·est 1. Moist with or as if with dew: dewy grass in early morning. 2. Accompanied by dew: a dewy morning. 3. Suggestive of the freshness or purity of dew, as in innocence or naiveté: never gave up the dewy outlook of youth. dew "i·ly adv. dew "i·ness n.

dew ( d›, dy ›) n. 1. Water droplets condensed from the air, usually at night, onto cool surfaces. 2. Something moist, fresh, pure, or renewing: " The timely dew of sleep/. . . inclines/Our eye-lids " John Milton 3. Moisture, as in the form of tears or perspiration, that appears in small drops. v. tr. dewed dew·ing dews 1. To wet with or as if with dew. [Middle English deu from Old English d¶aw;See dheu- 1 in Indo-European Roots.]

dex·ie ( dµk"s¶) n. Slang 1. A pill or tablet containing dextroamphetamine.