derogatory :: tending to lessen or impair; detracting disparaging; belittling descry :: catch sight of desecrate :: profane; violate the sanctity of desiccate :: dry up desolate (adj.) :: unpopulated; depressing; deserted desolate (v) :: rob of joy; lay waste to; forsake desperado :: reckless outlaw i.e. criminal despise :: look on with scorn; regard as worthless or distasteful despoil :: plunder despondent :: depressed; gloomy despot :: tyrant; harsh, authoritarian ruler destitute :: extremely poor desultory :: aimless; haphazard; digressing at random detached :: emotionally removed; calm and objective; physically separate determinate :: having a fixed order of procedure; invariable determination :: resolve; *measurement or calculation*; decision deterrent :: something that discourages; hindrance

detonation :: explosion detraction :: slandering; aspersion detrimental :: harmful; damaging deviate :: turn away from (a principle, norm); depart; diverge devious :: roundabout; erratic; not straightforward devise :: think up; invent; plan devoid :: lacking devolve :: deputize; pass to others devotee :: enthusiastic follower devout :: pious dexterous :: skillful diabolical :: devilish diadem :: crown dialectical :: relating to the art of debate; *mutual or reciprocal* diaphanous :: sheer; transparent diatribe :: bitter scolding; invective dichotomy :: split; branching into two parts (especially contradictory ones) dictum :: authoritative and weighty statement; saying; maxim didactic :: teaching; instructional die :: device for stamping or impressing; mold diffidence :: shyness diffuse :: *wordy; rambling*; spread out (like a gas) digression :: wandering away from the subject dilapidated :: ruined because of neglect dilate :: expand dilatory :: delaying dilemma :: problem; choice of two unsatisfactory alternatives dilettante :: aimless follower of the arts; amateur; dabbler diligence :: steadiness of effort; persistent hard work dilute :: make less concentrated; reduce in strength diminution :: lessening; reduction in size din :: continued loud noise dinghy :: small boat (*often ship's boat*) dingy :: dull; not fresh; cheerless dint :: means; effort diorama :: life-size, three-dimensional scene from nature or history dire :: disastrous dirge :: lament with music; a funeral hymn disabuse :: correct a false impression; undeceive disaffected :: disloyal disapprobation :: disapproval; condemnation disarray :: disorderly or untidy state disavowal :: denial; disclaiming disband :: dissolve; disperse disburse :: pay out discernible :: mentally quick and observant; having insight disclaim :: disown; renounce claim to disclose :: reveal discombobulated :: confused; discomposed discomfit :: put to rout; defeat; disconcert disconcert :: confuse; upset; embarrass disconsolate :: sad discord :: conflict; lack of harmony discordant :: not harmonious; conflicting discount :: disregard discourse :: formal discussion; conversation discredit :: defame; destroy confidence in; disbelieve discrepancy :: lack of consistency; difference discrete :: separate; unconnected

discretion :: prudence; ability to adjust actions to circumstances discriminating :: able to see differences;prejudiced discursive :: digressing; rambling disdain :: view with scorn or contempt disembark :: go ashore; unload cargo from a ship disenfranchise :: deprive of a civil right disengage :: uncouple; separate; disconnect disfigure :: mar the appearance of; spoil disgorge :: surrender something; eject; vomit disgruntle :: make discontented