D Flashcards
DEBUTANTE
young woman making debut in high society
DECLIVITY
downward slope
DECOROUS
proper; tasteful; socially correct
DECORUM
appropriateness of behavior or conduct; propriety
DEFACE
to mar the appearance of; vandalize
DEFERENCE
respect; courtesy
DELETERIOUS
subtly or unexpectedly harmful
DEMAGOGUE
Agitating person
a leader or rabble-rouser, usually appealing to emotion or prejudice
DEMUR
to express doubts or objection
DERIDE
to speak of or treat with contempt; to mock
DESICCATE
to dry out thoroughly
DESULTORY
jumping from one thing to another; disconnected
DIAPHANOUS
allowing light to show through; delicate
DIATRIBE
Criticism
an abusive, condemnatory speech
DICTUM
authoritative statement
DIFFIDENT
lacking self-confidence
DILATE
to make larger; expand
DILATORY
intended to delay
DILETTANTE
someone with an amateurish or superficial interest in a topic
DIRGE
a funeral hymn or mournful speech
DISABUSE
to set right; free from error
DISCERN
to perceive or recognize
DISPARATE
fundamentally different; entirely unalike
DISSEMBLE
to present a false appearance; to disguise one’s real intentions or character
DISSONANCE
a harsh and disagreeable combination, especially of sounds
DISTAFF
the female branch of a family
DISTEND
to swell, inflate, or bloat
DITHER
to act confusedly or without clear purpose
DIURNAL
existing during the day
DIVINE
to foretell or know by inspiration
DOCTRINAIRE
rigidly devoted to theories without regard for practicality; dogmatic
DOGMA
a firmly held opinion, especially a religious belief
DOGMATIC
dictatorial in one’s opinions
DROLL
amusing in a wry, subtle way
DUPE
to deceive; a person who is easily deceived
DYSPEPTIC
suffering from indigestion; gloomy and irritable
