dermoossify 
the skin, + ossify.] To ossify derrnally; be- 
come dermoosseous; form a dermoossification 
or a dermoskeleton. E. D. Cope. 
dermopathic (der-mo-path'ik), a. [< dermopa- 
Ihy + -ic.] Relating or pertaining to dermop- 
athy. 
dermopathy (der-inop'a-thi), n. [< Gr. iipfta, 
skin, + jrufof, suffering'.'] Surgical treatment 
of the skin. 
Dermophysa (der-mo-fi'sa), n.pl. [NL.] Same 
as Derinatoj>liysa. 
Dermoptera (der-mop'te-rii), n. pi. [NL., neut. 
pi. of dermo2>terits : see'clermopterous,] A sub- 
order of Insectivora, containing the single fami- 
ly Galeopithecidat (which see). Also Dermatop- 
tera, Pterophora. 
dermoptere (der'mop-ter), . A vertebrate of 
the group Dermopteri. 
Dermopteri (der-mop'te-ri), re. pi. [NL., pi. 
of dcrmppterus: see der'inopteroiis."] In Owen's 
system of classification, the lowest of five sub- 
classes of the class Pisces, characterized by a 
vermiform limbless body, a notoehordal mem- 
brano-cartilaginous endoskeleton, and no skull, 
or a skull with no lower jaw. It thus covered the 
acranial, leptocardian, cirrostomous, or pharyngobranchi- 
ate vertebrates, as the lancelets; and tlie monorhine, cy- 
clostomous, or marsipobranchiate vertebrates, as the hags 
and lampreys. It was divided into two orders, Cirrottomi 
and Cyclostomi, respectively containing the lancelets and 
the hags and lampreys. These groups are very distinct 
from each other, and are now generally regarded as differ- 
ent classes of Vertebrata. Also called Dermopterygii. [Not 
in use.] 
dermopterous (der-mop'te-rus), a. [< NL. der- 
mopterus, < Gr. ifp/j6irTcpnf', having membranous 
wings, as a bat (Aristotle), < fipua, the skin, + 
KTep6v, wing.] Having the characters of the 
Dermopteri. 
dermopterygian (der-mop-te-rij'i-an), a. [As 
Dermoptei-ygii + -an.] Same as dermopterous. 
Dermopterygii (der-mop-te-rij'i-l), n. pi. [NL., 
< Gr. dsp/ia, skin, + KTtpvyiav or jrrtpvf (trrepvy-), 
wing, fin, < KTfpov, wing.] Same as Dermopteri. 
Dermorhynchi (der-mo-ring'ki), n. pi. [NL., 
pl.otdermorliynchus: seederniorhynchous."] The 
lamellirostral birds ; the duck tribe : so called 
from the soft-skinned bill. 
dermorhynchous (der-mo-ring'kus), a. [< NL. 
dermorhynchus, < Gr. <5ep/ui, skin, + pi>yxS> 
snout.] Having a skinny bill, as a duck ; spe- 
cifically, pertaining to the Dennorliynchi. 
dermosclerite (der-mo-skle'rit), n. [< Gr. Sipua, 
skin, + m/.!?p<if, hard: see sclerotic.] A mass 
of spicules occurring in the tissues of some of 
the Actinozoa. 
dermoskeletal (der-ino-skel'e-tal), a. [< der- 
moskeleton + -al.~\ Pertaining to the dermo- 
skeleton; exoskeletal. 
dermoskeleton (der-ino-skel'e-ton), n. [NL., 
< Gr. depua, skin, + OKC^UTOV, skeleton.] The 
coriaceous, crustaceous, testaceous, or bony 
integument, such as covers many invertebrate 
and some vertebrate animals. It serves more or 
less completely the offices of protecting the soft parts of 
the body and as a fixed point of attachment to the organs 
of movement. In fishes and reptiles the dermoskeleton 
is the skin with the scales ; in turtles it is the shell united 
with parts of the endoskeleton, such as the vertebra; and 
ribs ; insects and crustaceans have a dermoskeleton only. 
See exotkeleton. Also derm-skeleton, dermatoskeleton. 
dermotensor (der-mo-ten'sor), w. ; pi. dermoten- 
sores (-ten-so'rez). [NL., < Gr. ieppa, skin, -f 
NL. tensor, stretcher: see tensor."] A tensor 
muscle of the skin. - Dermotensor patagii, the ten- 
sor of the skin of the patagium, a propatagial muscle of 
the wings of some birds. Ji. W. Shufeldt. 
dermotomy (der-mot'o-mi), n. [< Gr. iepfia, 
skin, + -ro/iz, < To/i6f, 'cutting : see anatomy."] 
The anatomy or dissection of the skin. 
derm-skeleton (derm'skel'e-ton), . Same as 
dermoskeletou. 
dernM (dern), a. [Also written (learn and darn; 
< ME. derne, dern, dcerne, durne, < AS. dyrne, 
rarely derne, secret, = OS. derni = OFries. dern, 
dren (in comp.) = OHG. tarni, hidden, >F. term, 
dull, > ternir, tarnish, > E. tarnish ; see tarnish.'] 
Hidden; secret; private. 
In parfyte charitee, 
That like derne dede do nomau ne sholde. 
Piers Plowman (B), ix. 189. 
Now with their backs to the den's mouth they sit, 
Yet shoulder not all light from the dern pit. 
Dr. H. More, Immortal, of the Soul, 1. 10. 
Through dreary beds of tangled fern, 
Through groves of nightshade dark and dern. 
J. S. Drake, Culprit Fay. 
In dern, in secret. 
My dule in dern bot gif thow dill, 
Doutles bot dreid I d<5. 
Robene and Matyne (Cliild's Ballads, IV. 246). 
1554 
dern 1 (dern), v. [< ME. dernen, dcernen, < AS. 
dyrnan = OS. dernian = OHG. "tarnjan, tarnen, 
MHG. ternen, hide; from the adj.] I. trans. 
To hide; secrete, as in a hole. [Obsolete or 
prov. Eng. and Scotch.] 
He at length escaped them by derning himself in a fox- 
earth, a. Miller. 
II. intrans. To hide one's self; skulk. 
But look how soon they heard uf Holoferne 
Their courage quail'd, and they began to derne. 
T. Hudson, tr. of Du Eartas, in England's Parnassus. 
dern 2 (dern), n. Same as dearrft. 
dern 3 (dern), v. t. Same as darn 2 , a minced form 
of damn. Also written durn. [Vulgar, U. S.] 
dernfult (dern'ful), a. [Irreg. < derni + ./;.] 
Solitary; hence, sad; mournful. 
The birds of ill presage this lucklesse chance foretold 
By dernfull noise. 
L. Bryskett (Arber's Eng. Garner, I. 268). 
dernier (der'ni-er or, as F., der-nya'), a. [F. 
dernier, < ML. as if "dcretranarins (cf. OF. der- 
rain, > E. darrein, q. v.), < "deretramts, < L. de, 
down, + retro, back: see rear' 2 , retro-.] Last; 
final; ultimate: now used only as French, as 
in the phrase dernier ressort, last resort, final 
resource. 
After the dernier proof of him in this manner ... he 
was dismissed. Roger North, Examen, p. 620. 
dernlyt (dern'li), adv. [Also written dearnly ; 
< ME. dernly, derneliche, secretly, < derne, se- 
cret, + -ly, -liche: see dern 1 , a., and -ly 2 .] 1. 
Secretly. 
Hit watj the ladi, loflyest to be-holde, 
That drog the dor after hir ful dernly & stylle. 
Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight (E. E. T. S.), L 1188. 
2. Solitarily; hence, sadly; mournfully. 
They heard a ruefull voice, that dearnly cride. 
Spenser, F. Q., II. 1. 35. 
derodontid (der-o-don'tid), a. and n. I. a. Per- 
taining to or having the characters of the Dero- 
dontidce. 
II. n. One of the Derodontidce. 
Derodontidae (der-o-don'ti-de), n.pl. [NL., < 
Derodontus + -i(te.J A family of clavicorn 
beetles. The dorsal segments of the abdomen are partly 
membranous ; the ventral segment* are free ; the tarsi are 
5-jointed, at least in one pair; the mentum is moderate 
or small ; the palpi are approximate at base ; and the an- 
terior coxa: are conical, transverse, and seldom prominent. 
Derodontus (der-o-don'tus), . [NL. (Le 
Conte, 1861), < Gr. depr/, the neck, + 6Joi? (bSovr-) 
= E. tooth.'] The typical genus of the family 
Derodontidcs. They are moderately small beetles, two 
species of which, D. maculatus and D. trisiynatus, are 
North American. 
derogant (der'o-gant), a. [< F. derogant, dero- 
geant, now de'r'ogeant = It. derogante, < L. de- 
rogan(t-)s, ppr. of derogare, derogate: see dero- 
gate, v.'] Derogatory; disrespectful. [Obsolete 
or rare.] 
The other is both arrogant in man, and derogftnt to God. 
Rev. T. Adams, Works, 1. 12. 
derogate (der'o-gat), v. ; pret. and pp. dero- 
gated, ppr. derogating. [< L. dcrogatus, pp. of 
derogare (> It. derogare = Sp. Pg. Pr. derogar 
= F. deroger), repeal part of a law, take away, 
detract from, < de, from, + rogare, propose a 
law, ask : see rogation. Cf . abrogate.] I. trans. 
If. To destroy or impair the force and effect 
of; lessen the extent, authority, etc., of. 
Neither willeth he, nor may not do, any thing including 
repugnance, imperfection, or that should derogate, min- 
ish, or hurt his glory and his name. 
Tyndale, Ans. to Sir T. More, etc. (Parker Soc., 1850), p. 232. 
By several contrary customs . . . many of those civil 
and canon laws are controuled and derogated. 
Sir M. Hale. 
2. To detract from; abate; disparage. [Kare.] 
There is none so much carried with a corrupt mind 
. . . that he will derogate the praise and honour due to 
so worthy an enterprise. Hooker. 
3. To take away; retrench; remove (from). 
[Rare.] 
Just so much respect as a woman derogates from her 
own sex, in whatever condition placed, . . . she deserves 
to have diminished from herself on that score, 
Lamb, Modern Gallantry. 
II. intrans. 1. To take away a part; de- 
tract; make an improper or injurious abate- 
ment: v/ith from. [The word is generally used 
in this sense.] 
We should be injurious unto virtue itself, if we did 
derogate from them whom their industry hath made great. 
Hooker, Eccles. Polity, Pref., ii. 
The contemplation of second causes doth derogate from 
our dependance upon God. 
Bacon, Advancement of Learning, 1. 7. 
Queen Elizabeth answer'd, That tho' she would no way 
derogate from her Right, yet she should be loth to endan- 
ger her own security. Baker, Chronicles, p. 331. 
Derostomum 
2. To fall away in character or conduct ; de- 
generate. [Rare.] 
Would Charles X. derogate from his ancestors? Would 
he be the degenerate scion of that royal line? Hazlitt. 
Shall . . . man 
Derogate, live for the low tastes alone, 
Mean creeping cares about the animal life? 
Browning, King and Book, II. 80. 
= Syn. 1. Depreciate, Derogate from, etc. See decry. 
derogate (der'o-gat), a. [< L. derogatus, pp. 
of (Teroyare : see the verb.] Lessened in ex- 
tent, estimation, character, etc.; invalidated; 
degenerate; degraded; damaged. [Rare.] 
The chief ruler beyng in presence, the nuthoritie of the 
substitute was clerely derogate. Hall, Hen. VI., an. 10. 
From her derogate body never spring 
A babe to honour her ! Shak., Lear, 1. 4. 
derogately (der'o-gat-li), adv. In a manner to 
lessen or take from ; disparagingly. 
That I should 
Once name you derogately, when to sound your name 
It not concern'd me. Shak., A. and C., il. 2. 
derogation (der-o-ga'shon), n. [= F. deroga- 
tion = Sp. derogacion = Pg. derogaqeto = It. 
derogazione, < L. derogatio(n-), a partial abro- 
gation of a law, < derogare, repeal a part of a 
law, derogate : see derogate, v."] 1. The act of 
impairing effect in whole or in part; limitation 
as to extent, or restraints to operation: as, a 
statute in derogation of the common law must 
not be enlarged by construction. 
Such a demand may not, in strictness, be in derogation 
of public law. Lincoln, in Raymond, p. 420. 
2. The act of impairing or seeking to impair 
merit, reputation, or honor ; a lessening of value 
or estimation; detraction; disparagement. 
What dishonor is this to God? Or what derogation is 
this to heaven? Latimer, Sermon of the Plough. 
The derogations therefore, which grow to learning from 
the fortune or condition of learned men, are either in re- 
spect of scarcity of means, or in respect of privateness of 
life. Bacon, Advancement of Learning, i. 25. 
He counted it no derogation of his manhood to be seen 
to weep. Robertson. 
derogative (de-rog'a-tiv), a. [< L. as if *de- 
rogatirus, < <?ero</aj-e,"derogate : see derogate, v.~] 
Lessening; belittling; derogatory. 
Absurdly derogative to all true nobility. 
State Trials, Martinis of Argyle, an. 1661. 
derogatively (de-rog'a-tiy-li), adv. In a derog- 
ative manner ; derogatorily. 
derogatorily (de-rog'a-to-ri-li), adv. In a de- 
tracting manner. 
It is the petition of a people : I should act derogatorily 
to its importance if I did not state that. Grattan. 
derogatoriness (de-rog'a-to-ri-nes), )(. The 
quality of being derogatory. ' Bailey, 1727. 
derogatory (de-rog'a-to-ri), a. and M. [= OF. 
derogatmre, F. derogatoire = Sp. Pg. It. deroga- 
torio,< LL. derogatorius, <~L. derogare: see dero- 
gate, fl.] I. a. Detracting or tending to lessen 
by taking something away ; that lessens extent, 
effect, estimation, etc. : with to, sometimes/row. 
Derogatory from the wisdom and power of the Author 
of nature. Clieyne. 
His language was severely censured by some of his 
brother peers as derogatory to their order. 
ilacanlay, Hist. Eng., x. 
Derogatory clause in a testament. See clause. = Syn. 
Denreciative, discreditable, disgraceful. 
Il.t . A derogatory act or statement ; a dis- 
paragement. Cotgrave. 
Deroptyus (de-rop'ti-us), n. [NL. (Wagler), 
< Gr. oipri, neck, + KTVOV, a winnowing-shovel 
or fan, < irrv- 
eiv, spew out, 
cast out, = 
E. sjjf IP, q. v.] 
A genus of 
South Amer- 
ican short- 
tailed parrots, 
having a large 
erectile nu- 
chal crest. D. 
coronatus is 
the crested 
hawk - parrot, 
alsocalled/iw. 
Derostomidae 
(der-o-stom'i- 
de), n. pi. 
[NL., < De- 
rostomum + 
-idee.'] A family of rhabdocoelous turbellari- 
ans, having the mouth anterior and a dilated 
pharynx. 
Derostomum (de-ros'to-mum), n. [NL., < Gr. 
Sipn, neck, + ar6ua, mouth.] The typical ge- 
South American Hawk -parrot ( Deroptyus 
accipitriHus}. 
