Glossary of Terms

D

Degrees
Elevation, i.e. the act; specifically a climactic progression (in certain Psalms) — things that come up, (high) degree, deal, go up, stair, step, story.
Denarius, or Denarii
A Roman silver coin of the value of about fourteen cents; the penny of the New Testament; — so called from being worth originally ten of the pieces called as.
Depose
To remove from a throne or other high station; to dethrone; to divest or deprive of office.
Deputed, or Depute
To appoint as a substitute or agent to act for another; to appoint and send with a special commission or authority to transact business in another's name. The sheriff deputes a man to serve a writ. 2nd Samuel 15.
Dereliction
The act of leaving with an intention not to reclaim; an utter forsaking; abandonment.
Diffidence
More generally, distrust of ones self; want of confidence in our own power, competency, correctness or wisdom; a doubt respecting some personal qualification. We speak or write with diffidence, when we doubt our ability to speak or write correctly or to the satisfaction of others. The effect of diffidence is some degree of reserve, modesty, timidity or bashfulness.
Dispensation
That which is dispensed, dealt out, or appointed; that which is enjoined or bestowed; especially (Theol.), a system of principles, promises, and rules ordained and administered; scheme; economy; as, the Patriarchal, Mosaic, and Christian dispensations.
Disposed
Set in order; arranged; placed; adjusted; applied; bestowed; inclined.
Dispossess
To put out of possession, by any means; to deprive of the actual occupancy of a thing, particularly of land or real estate; to deseize.
Dissension
Disagreement in opinion, usually a disagreement which is violent, producing warm debates or angry words; contention in words; strife; discord; quarrel; breach of friendship and union.
Dissimulation
The act of dissembling; a hiding under a false appearance; a feigning; false pretension; hypocrisy. Dissimulation may be simply concealment of the opinions, sentiments or purpose; but it includes also the assuming of a false or counterfeit appearance which conceals the real opinions or purpose. Romans 12:9.
Distaff
The staff of a spinning-wheel, to which a bunch of flax or tow is tied, and from which the thread is drawn. Proverbs 31.
Divine (verb)
1) To foresee or foreknow; to detect; to anticipate; to conjecture.
2) To foretell; to predict; to presage.
Doctrine
In a general sense, whatever is taught. Hence, a principle or position in any science; whatever is laid down as true by an instructor or master. The doctrines of the gospel are the principles or truths taught by Christ and his apostles. The doctrines of Plato are the principles which he taught. Hence a doctrine may be true or false; it may be a mere tenet or opinion.
Dowry
The gift of a husband for a wife. Endowment; gift.
Dram
A daric or Persian coin. (A daric is a gold coin of ancient Persia, weighing usually a little more than 128 grains, and bearing on one side the figure of an archer.)
Dregs
1) The sediment of liquors; lees; grounds; feculence; any foreign matter of liquors that subsides to the bottom of a vessel.
2) Waste or worthless matter; dross; sweepings; refuse. Hence, the most vile and despicable part of men; as the dregs of society.
Dromedary
A species of camel, called also the Arabian camel, with one bunch or protuberance on the back, in distinction from the Bactrian camel, which has two bunches. It has four callous protuberances on the fore legs, and two on the hind ones. It is a common beast of burden in Egypt, Syria, and the neighboring countries.
Dross
1) The recrement or despumation of metals; the scum or extraneous matter of metals, thrown off in the process of melting.
2) Waste matter; refuse; any worthless matter separated from the better part; impure matter.
Duke
A chief; a prince; as the dukes of Edom. Genesis 36.

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