Words That Start With D Flashcards
dilettante
(dill eh tahnt) (dill eh tantey)
Someone who cultivates an interest in something without any real commitment.
Archaic. A person with an amateurish interest in the arts.
Italian word for someone who literally, “loves the arts”. 😖
dearth
scarcity or lack of something
dichotomy
A division or contrast between two things that are different or are represented as being opposed and entirely different
Ex. The dichotomy between science and mysticism
detractor
A person who disparages something or someone
disparage
regard or represent as being of little worth
dandy
A man unduly devoted to neatness, fashion, style, in dress or appearance
(dated, informal) an excellent thing
ORIGIN: late 18th cent, from 17th cent “Jack-a-dandy” which means “conceited fellow”
diegesis
A narrative or plot typically in a movie
discotheque
another term for disco/ plural for pop dance clubs or parties
digital
(of signals or data) expressed as series of the digits 0 and 1, typically represented by values of a physical quantity such as voltage or magnetic polarization.
relating to, using, or storing data or information in the form of digital signals.
“digital TV”
involving or relating to the use of computer technology.
“the digital revolution”
2.
(of a clock or watch) showing the time by means of displayed digits rather than hands or a pointer.
duchenne smile
A Duchenne smile involves contraction of both the zygomatic major muscle (which raises the corners of the mouth) and the orbicularis oculi muscle (which raises the cheeks and forms crow’s feet around the eyes). The Duchenne smile has been described as “smizing”, as in “smiling with the eyes”, and indicates a genuine smile.
dogmatic
inclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.
origin: early 17th century (as a noun denoting a philosopher or physician of a school based on a priori assumptions): via late Latin from Greek dogmatikos, from dogma, dogmat- (see dogma).
