📖 D — The English dictionary · page 2

dale — Everyday, meaning 1: A valley: a low piece of land lying between hills, often with a stream or river running through it.↗ Example: They journeyed over hill and dale.↗ · A stream ran through the green dale.↗ · The village lay in a quiet dale.↗

daleth — In Jewish tradition, meaning 1: The fourth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, which means "door" and stands for the number four.↗ Example: The Seven Double Letters, Beth, Gimel, Daleth, Kaph, Pe, Resh, and Tau have each two sounds associated with theui.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893)↗ · The Seven double letters, Beth, Gimel, Daleth, Kaph, Pé, Resh, and Tau have each two sounds associated with them.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893)↗ · There were formed seven double letters, Beth, Gimel, Daleth, Kaph, Pe, Resh, Tau, each has two voices, either aspirated or softened.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1887)↗

dalmatian — Everyday, meaning 1: A large dog with short white fur covered in black or brown spots.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Dalmatian: from Dalmatia, a coastal region of Croatia.↗ Example: A Dalmatian has black spots on white fur.↗ · Dalmatian puppies are born without spots.↗ · In the film, Cruella wanted the Dalmatians' fur for a coat.↗ · Fire stations in America sometimes keep a Dalmatian.↗ · Dalmatians need lots of exercise.↗ · Split is a city on the Dalmatian coast of Croatia.↗

dam — Everyday, meaning 1: A dam is a strong wall built across a river to hold back the water, making a lake behind it called a reservoir.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A dam is also a wall of sticks and mud built by beavers across a stream.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: To dam a river is to build a dam across it.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: A dam is also the mother of an animal such as a horse or dog.↗ Example: The dam holds back millions of litres of water.↗ · Beavers build dams from sticks and mud.↗ · Water rushing through the dam turns turbines to make electricity.↗ · After heavy rain, the dam was nearly full.↗ · We dammed the little stream with stones.↗ · In the story, the dam burst and the village flooded.↗ · The lake behind the dam is called a reservoir.↗ · "Oh, yes, my bonnie lassie," said the mill-dam.↗ · Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and with thy sheep; seven days it shall be with its dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it Me.↗ (Torah EXO.22.30, JPS 1917)↗ · thou shalt in any wise let the dam go, but the young thou mayest take unto thyself; that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days.↗ (Torah DEU.22.7, JPS 1917)↗ · And her foundations shall be crushed, all they that make dams shall be grieved in soul.↗ (Prophets ISA.19.10, JPS 1917)↗

damage — Everyday, meaning 1: Damage is harm done to something so that it is broken, spoiled or weaker.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: To damage something means to harm or break it.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: Damages (plural) is money a court tells someone to pay for harm they caused.↗ Example: The storm caused a lot of damage to the roof.↗ · Loud music can damage your ears.↗ · Too much sun can damage your skin.↗ · He damaged his bike when he rode into the wall.↗ · The flood damaged many houses.↗ · Sugar damages your teeth if you don't brush.↗ · Be careful with library books; don't damage them.↗ · Did the hail do any damage to the car?↗ · "Oh, it's quite dry and isn't damaged at all.↗ · And take heed that ye be not slack herein; why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?'↗ (Writings EZR.4.22, JPS 1917)↗ · He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh damage.↗ (Writings PRO.26.6, JPS 1917)↗ · and over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was one; that these satraps might give account unto them, and that the king should have no damage.↗ (Writings DAN.6.3, JPS 1917)↗

damask — Everyday, meaning 1: A rich cloth with patterns woven into it, used for curtains and tablecloths.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (old use) A pinkish-red colour, as in «damask roses».↗ Example: Everywhere were mirrors, lights, flowers and damask hangings.↗ · The curtains were of damask with gold tassels.↗ · There were damask roses in the garden.↗

dame — Everyday, meaning 1: (old use) A polite word for an older woman.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A title of honour given to a woman; in fairy tales «Dame» is put before a wise old woman's name.↗ Example: Dame Fortune smiled on the girl.↗ · Old Dame Habetrot came to help her.↗ · The dame gave the children bread and milk.↗

damn — Everyday, meaning 1: (rude, mild swearing) Said when you are angry, annoyed or disappointed: «Damn!↗ I missed the bus.».↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (rude) Used to make a word stronger: «a damn good idea», «damn it».↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (rude) «Not give a damn»: not care at all.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: (religion) To say someone will be punished for ever after death.↗ Everyday, meaning 5: (formal) To criticise strongly («the report damned the plan»); adjective «damning» = showing guilt clearly.↗ Example: (rude) «Damn!↗ I've dropped my keys,» said Dad.↗ · (rude) «That was a damn good match!»↗ · (rude) «Damn it, the car won't start.»↗ · (rude) «He doesn't give a damn about the rules.»↗ · The report damned the company's safety record.↗ · The video was damning evidence against the thief.↗

damosel — Everyday, meaning 1: (old use) An old spelling of «damsel»: a young unmarried woman or girl.↗ Example: The damosel sobbed all night.↗ · A damosel sat by the well and sang.↗ · In old songs a damosel waits for her knight.↗

damp — Everyday, meaning 1: Damp means a little wet, not fully wet.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Damp is wetness in the air or in the walls of a house, which can make mould grow.↗ Example: My socks are still damp.↗ · Wipe the table with a damp cloth.↗ · Seeds grow in damp soil.↗ · Woodlice live in damp, dark places.↗ · There is a damp patch on the ceiling.↗ · It was a cold, damp morning.↗ · Hang your damp towel up to dry.↗ · Mould grows on damp walls.↗ · A rose-bush on the wall like that causes damp.↗

dampen — Everyday, meaning 1: To dampen something is to make it a little wet.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: To dampen a feeling is to make it weaker or less happy.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: To dampen a sound or a movement is to make it quieter or smaller.↗ Example: Dampen the cloth before you wipe the table.↗ · The rain did not dampen our spirits at sports day.↗ · The bad news dampened everyone's excitement.↗ · Thick curtains dampen the noise from the street.↗ · Dampen the soil before you plant the seeds.↗ · Nothing could dampen her joy on her birthday.↗

dampness — Everyday, meaning 1: Dampness is a slight wetness, being a little wet in a way that is often unpleasant.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Dampness is wet air or wet walls in a building, which can cause mould and smell.↗ Example: The dampness in the cellar made everything smell musty.↗ · Black mould grew because of the dampness on the wall.↗ · I could feel the dampness of the grass through my jeans.↗ · Dampness in a house can make asthma worse.↗ · The cave was cold and full of dampness.↗ · We used a fan to dry out the dampness after the flood.↗

damsel — Everyday, meaning 1: (old use) A young unmarried woman or girl; in old stories a maiden, often in trouble and needing a hero.↗ Early Modern English, meaning 1: A young unmarried woman or girl.↗ Example: The damsel sobbed and sang all night.↗ · How now, fair damsel!↗ · The damsel took the flask and did her mistress's bidding.↗ · And the damsel ran, and told her mother's house according to these words.↗ (Torah GEN.24.28, JPS 1917)↗ · And they said: 'We will call the damsel, and inquire at her mouth.'↗ (Torah GEN.24.57, JPS 1917)↗ · And Shechem spoke unto his father Hamor, saying: 'Get me this damsel to wife.'↗ (Torah GEN.34.4, JPS 1917)↗ · Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers: 'Whose damsel is this?'↗ (Writings RUT.2.5, JPS 1917)↗ · The singers go before, the minstrels follow after, in the midst of damsels playing upon timbrels.↗ (Writings PSA.68.26, JPS 1917)↗ · And his father-in-law, the damsel's father, retained him; and he abode with him three days; so they did eat and drink, and lodged there.↗ (Prophets JDG.19.4, JPS 1917)↗ · And the damsel ran, and told her mother's house according to these words.↗ (Torah GEN.24.28, JPS 1917) · The live-long night the damsel sobbed and sang:↗ (More English Fairy Tales) · And they said: 'We will call the damsel, and inquire at her mouth.'↗ (Torah GEN.24.57, JPS 1917)

dance — Everyday, meaning 1: To dance is to move your body to music.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A dance is one set of steps, like a waltz or a tap dance.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: A dance is also a party where people dance.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: Dance is the art of dancing, like ballet.↗ Example: Tickets to the school dance cost $5.↗ · She dances for 2 hours every Saturday.↗ · 30 children came to the dance.↗ · Each dance lasts 4 minutes.↗ · We learned a new dance in PE.↗ · Bees dance to tell other bees where flowers are.↗ · They danced all night at the wedding.↗ · She goes to ballet dance class.↗ · "I don't like dancing," he said.↗ · And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.↗ (Torah EXO.15.20, JPS 1917)↗ · Rotation; from חָלֹל to dance round.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877)↗ · As it were a dance of two companies.↗ (Writings SNG.7.1, JPS 1917)↗ · And they danced in halting wise about the altar which was made.↗ (Prophets 1KI.18.26, JPS 1917)↗ · And whether they sing or dance, all my thoughts are in Thee.↗ (Writings PSA.87.7, JPS 1917)↗

dancer — Everyday, meaning 1: A dancer is a person who dances, often as a job or a hobby, such as a ballet dancer.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A dancer can also be a small figure or statue of a dancer, often made of china.↗ Example: There are 24 dancers on the stage.↗ · The dancers stand in 4 rows.↗ · Each dancer needs 2 shoes.↗ · 5 more dancers joined the group.↗ · She wants to be a ballet dancer.↗ · The dancers bowed at the end.↗ · He is a good dancer.↗ · Up in the little garret there stands, half-dressed, a little Dancer.↗

dandelion — Everyday, meaning 1: A dandelion is a common wild plant with a bright yellow flower that turns into a white fluffy ball of seeds, called a clock.↗ Example: The lawn is full of yellow dandelions.↗ · I blew the dandelion clock and the seeds flew away.↗ · Dandelion seeds have tiny parachutes.↗ · Bees visit dandelions for nectar.↗ · Rabbits like to eat dandelion leaves.↗ · A dandelion seed can travel a long way on the wind.↗ · Some people make a wish when they blow a dandelion.↗

dandle — In Jewish tradition, meaning 1: To bounce or rock a small child gently on the knee or arm.↗ Example: Is he a child that is dandled?↗ (Prophets JER.31.20, JPS 1917)↗ · Shall the women eat their fruit, the children that are dandled in the hands?↗ (Writings LAM.2.20, JPS 1917)↗

dane — Everyday, meaning 1: (a name) A Dane is a person from Denmark.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (a name) In history, the Danes were Vikings from Denmark who raided and settled in England, Ireland and other places; part of England under their rule was called the Danelaw.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: A Great Dane is a breed of very large, tall dog, one of the tallest dogs in the world, gentle despite its size.↗ Example: A Dane is someone from Denmark.↗ · The Danes attacked the monastery on the island.↗ · King Alfred fought hard against the Danes.↗ · The Danelaw was the part of England ruled by the Danes.↗ · Our neighbour's Great Dane is taller than me when it stands up.↗ · Scooby-Doo is a Great Dane.↗ · Hans Christian Andersen, who wrote fairy tales, was a Dane.↗ · The Danish language is spoken by Danes.↗ · He was a Dane, the owner of a travelling theatre.↗

dang — Everyday, meaning 1: (euphemism, informal, US) a mild stand-in for «damn», showing annoyance or surprise.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (adverb, US) very («dang good»).↗ Example: Dang it, I missed the bus!↗ · That's a dang good burger.↗ · The dang car won't start again.↗ · «Dang!» said the cowboy when he lost his hat.↗ · Dang, it's cold out here.↗ · Where'd I put my dang glasses?↗ · "Dang it!" said the fool, as he scratched his head.↗

danger — Everyday, meaning 1: The chance of being hurt, harmed or killed.↗ e.g. "in danger".↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Something or someone that may cause harm.↗ e.g. "Ice is a danger on the roads."↗ Everyday, meaning 3: The possibility of something bad happening.↗ e.g. "the danger of rain".↗ Example: The sign said "Danger!↗ Deep water."↗ · The boy was in danger, so we called for help.↗ · Busy roads are a danger to children.↗ · The doctor said he is out of danger.↗ · Fire is a big danger in dry summers.↗ · Spot the dangers in the picture.↗ · Tigers are in danger of dying out.↗ · Don't put yourself in danger to get a toy.↗

dangerous — Everyday, meaning 1: Able or likely to hurt or harm someone.↗ e.g. "a dangerous road".↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Full of risk.↗ e.g. "a dangerous game".↗ Example: It is dangerous to play near the road.↗ · Some snakes are dangerous.↗ · Bleach is dangerous if you swallow it.↗ · Deep water can be dangerous.↗ · Climbing on the roof is too dangerous.↗ · Never touch a dangerous chemical.↗ · The storm made the sea dangerous.↗ · Plugs and water together are dangerous.↗