detrimental

harmful; damaging; N. detriment

deviate

turn away from (a principle, norm); move away from an accepted standard; swerve; depart; diverge; N. deviation; Ex. deviation of the path of light by a prism

devious

roundabout; erratic; deviating from the straight course; not straightforward; not completely honest; Ex. devious route

devise

think up; invent; plan; bequeath; N: bequest

devoid

empty; lacking

devolve

deputize; pass or be passed to others (power, work, or property); Ex. devolve on/upon/to

devotee

enthusiastic follower; enthusiast; Ex. devotee of Bach

devout

pious; deeply religious; sincere; earnest; Ex. my devout hope

dexterous

skillful; skill in using hands or mind; N. dexterity

diabolical

diabolic; devilish; fiendish

diadem

crown

dialectical

relating to the art of debate; mutual or reciprocal; Ex. dialectical situation; N. dialectic: art of arriving at the truth by the exchange of logical arguments

diaphanous

sheer; transparent

diatribe

bitter scolding or denunciation; invective; abuse

dichotomy

division into two opposite parts; split; branching into two parts (especially contradictory ones)

dictum

authoritative and weighty statement (made by a judge in court); saying; maxim; CF. obiter dictum: incidental, nonbinding remark (something said in passing)

didactic

(of speech or writing) intended to teach a moral lesson; teaching; instructional; N. didacticism

die

metal block used for shaping metal or plastic; device for stamping or impressing; mold; CF. dice

diffidence

shyness; lack of self-confidence; timidity; ADJ. diffident