dais :: raised platform for guests of honor

dally :: trifle with; procrastinate

dank :: damp
dastard :: coward
daunt :: intimidate
dauntless :: bold
dawdle :: loiter; waste time
dearth :: scarcity
debacle :: breaking up; downfall
debase :: reduce to lower state
debauch :: corrupt; make intemperate
debenture :: bond issued to secure a loan
debilitate :: weaken; enfeeble
debonair :: friendly; aiming to please
debutante :: young woman making formal entrance into society
decadence :: decay
decant :: pour off gently
deciduous :: falling of as of leaves
decimate :: kill, usually one out of ten
declivity :: downward slope
dcollet :: having a low-necked dress
decorous :: proper
decoy :: lure or bait
decrepit :: worn out by age
decrepitude :: state of collapse caused by illness or old age
decry :: disparage
deducible :: derived by reasoning
defalcate :: misuse money held in trust
defamation :: harming a person's reputation
default :: failure to do
defeatist :: attitude of one who is ready to accept defeat as a natural outcome
defection :: desertion
deference :: courteous regard for another's wish
defile :: pollute; profane
definitive :: final; complete
deflect :: turn aside
defunct :: dead; no longer in use or existence
degraded :: lowered in rank; debased
deign :: condescend
delete :: erase; strike out
deleterious :: harmful
delineation :: portrayal
deliquescent :: capable of absorbing moisture from the air and becoming liquid
delirium :: mental disorder marked by confusion
delude :: deceive
delusion :: false belief; hallucination
delusive :: deceptive; raising vain hopes
demagogue :: person who appeals to people's prejudice; false leader of people
demean :: degrade; humiliate
demeanor :: behavior; bearing
demesne :: domain; land over which a
demise :: death
demolition :: destruction
demoniac :: fiendish
demotic :: pertaining to the people
demur :: delay; object
demure :: grave; serious; coy
denigrate :: blacken
denizen :: inhabitant of
denotation :: meaning; distinguishing by name

denouement :: outcome; final

depict :: portray
depilate :: remove hair
deplete :: reduce; exhaust
deploy :: bring (forces, arguments,
deposition :: testimony under oath
depravity :: corruption; wickedness
deprecate :: disapprove regretfully
deprecatory :: disapproving
depreciate :: lessen in value
depredation :: plundering
deranged :: insane
derelict :: abandoned
deride :: scoff at
derision :: ridicule
dermatologist :: one who studies the skin and its diseases
derogatory :: expressing a low opinion
descant :: discuss fully
descry :: catch sight of
desecrate :: profane; violate the sanctity of
desiccate :: dry up
desideratum :: that which is desired
despicable :: contemptible
despise :: scorn
despoil :: plunder
despotism :: tyranny
destitute :: extremely poor
desuetude :: disused condition
desultory :: aimless; jumping around
detergent :: cleansing agent
detonation :: explosion
detraction :: slandering; aspersion
detriment :: harm; damage
development of the plot of a play
deviate :: turn away from
devious :: going astray; erratic
devoid :: lacking
devolve :: deputize; pass to others
devout :: pious
dexterous :: skillful
diabolical :: devilish
diadem :: crown
dialectic :: art of debate
diaphanous :: sheer; transparent
diatribe :: bitter scolding; invective
dichotomy :: branching into two parts
dictum :: authoritative and weighty statement
didactic :: teaching; instructional
diffidence :: shyness
diffusion :: wordiness; spreading in all directions like a gas
digressive :: wandering away from the subject
dilapidation :: ruin because of neglect
dilate :: expand
dilatory :: delaying
dilemma :: problem; choice of two unsatisfactory alternatives
dilettante :: aimless follower of the arts; amateur; dabbler
diminution :: lessening; reduction in size
dint :: means; effort
dipsomaniac :: on who has a strong craving for intoxicating liquor
dire :: disastrous

disabuse :: correct a false impression; undeceive

disavowal :: denial; disclaiming
discernible :: distinguishable; perceivable
discerning :: mentally quick and observant; having insight
disclaim :: disown; renounce claim to
discomfit :: put to rout; defeat; disconcert
disconcert :: confuse; upset; embarrass
disconsolate :: sad
discordant :: inharmonious; conflicting
discrete :: separate; unconnected
discretion :: prudence; ability to adjust actions to circumstances
discursive :: digressing; rambling
disdain :: treat with scorn or contempt
disgruntle :: make discontented
dishabille :: in a state of undress
disheveled :: untidy
disingenuous :: not naive; sophisticated
disinterested :: unprejudiced
disjointed :: disconnected
dismember :: cut into small parts
disparage :: belittle
disparate :: basically different; unrelated
disparity :: difference; condition of inequality
dispassionate :: calm; impartial
dispersion :: scattering
dispirited :: lacking in spirit
disport :: amuse
disputatious :: argumentative; fond of argument
disquisition :: a formal systematic inquiry
dissection :: analysis; cutting apart in order to examine
dissemble :: disguise; pretend
disseminate :: scatter like seeds
dissertation :: formal essay
dissimulate :: pretend; conceal by feigning
dissipate :: squander
dissolute :: loose in morals
dissonance :: discord
dissuade :: advise against
dissuasion :: advice against
distaff :: female
distend :: expand; swell out
distortion :: twisting out of shape
distrait :: absentminded
distraught :: upset; distracted by anxiety
diurnal :: daily
diva :: operatic singer; prima donna
diverge :: vary; go in different directions from the same point
divers :: several; differing
diverse :: differing in some characteristics; various
diversity :: variety; dissimilitude
divest :: strip; deprive
divination :: foreseeing the future with aid of magic
divulge :: reveal
docile :: obedient; easily managed
docket :: program as for trial; book where such entries are made
doddering :: shaky; infirm from old age
doff :: take off
doggerel :: poor verse
dogmatic :: positive; arbitrary
dolorous :: sorrowful

dolt :: stupid person

domicile :: home
dormant :: sleeping; lethargic; torpid
dorsal :: relating to the back of an animal
dotage :: senility
doughty :: courageous
dour :: sullen; stubborn
dregs :: sediment; worthless residue
droll :: queer and amusing
dross :: waste matter; worthless impurities
drudgery :: menial work
dubious :: doubtful
duenna :: attendant of young female; chaperone
dulcet :: sweet sounding
duplicity :: double-dealing; hypocrisy
durance :: restraint; imprisonment
duress :: forcible restraint, especially unlawfully
dynamic :: active; efficient