Derostomum 
nus of tlio family llo-nxliHiii/lir. D. schmidli- 
(iiniiii is .an example. Also Derostnma. 
Oerotremata (dev-6-M'mf-t), . /,/. [NL., < 
Or. KII, nook, + Ti~/iia(T-), a hole, < rtrpaivftv (^ 
"T/XL), bore.] A group of urodele batrachians. 
They have im external EuT-tnRa. lint usually Kill-silts or 
branrhi.il :t|"'i I MV-. 'lit. m.-iMll.irv anil vomerine teeth 
are in sin-lf MTJ-X Thr xi. nip i* di^tiii^iii^ln-il oil the 
one hand Ironi .Sir.'/*. /'/ - "-. itihl \>-< tnrtis, anti on the 
other from the salainandhnes proper. Jt consists of the 
genera . I m^/,iin/ni, l'>-ii/,i',li. nn<-l,u.-, and Mi->rtiItKltrui-hit*. 
and corresponds to the families Cryptobranchidut and Am- 
phinmidfc. Also DfratrMUh 
Other (than perennihranchiatc] tTrodelanrc devoid of ex- 
ternal Kills, but (as is the ease in Menoponm and Amphi- 
unia) present m- two small gill-clefts on each side of 
the neck, and are thence called Derotremata. 
Huxley, Anat. Vert., p. 162. 
derotrematous (der-o-trem'a-tus), a. [< Dero- 
trcHiata + -nun.] Pertaining to or having the 
characters of the Derotremata. 
derotreme (dor'o-trem), a. and . [< Gr. Sepn, 
neck, + rpf/ua, hole.] I. a. In A mphibia, having 
holes in the neck in which gills are conceal- 
ed; cryptobranchiate, as an amphibian; dero- 
trematous. 
II. 11. One of the Derotremata. 
derrick (der'ik), . [Formerly sometimes spell- 
ed dcrric ; from Derrick, also written Derick, a 
hangman employed at Tyburn, London, at tho 
beginning of the 17th century, and often men- 
tioned in contemporary plays: e. g., 
The theefe that dyes at Tyburne ... is not halfe so 
dangerous ... as the Politick Bankrupt. I would there 
were a Derick to hang him up too. 
Dekker, Seven Deadly Sins (cd. Arber), p. 17. 
He rides circuit with the devil, anil Derrick must be his 
host, and Tyborne the inn at which he will light. 
Tin' Bellman of London (161(1). 
The name was applied to a gallows, and then 
to a sort of crane. Tho name Derrick is < D. 
Dierrijk, contr. Dirk, earlier Diederik, also (af- 
ter G.) Dietrich = OHG. Diotrich, MHG. G. 
Dietrich = AS. Tlietdric = Goth. "TMudareiks 
(Latinized Tlicoiloricus, Tlicodericus), lit. chief 
of the people, < thimiu (= AS. tliedd, etc.), 
people, + rciks = AS. rice, chief, mighty, rich : 
see Dutch and rich. The same term, -rick 
appears in the proper name Frederick, and dis- 
guised in Henry.] An apparatus for lifting 
and moving heavy weights. It Is similar to the 
crane, but dilters from It in having the boom, which cor- 
responds to the jib of the crane, pivoted at the lower 
end so that it muy tuko different inclinations from the 
perpendicular. The weight Is suspended from the end of 
the boom by ropes or chains that pass through a block at 
the end of the boom and thence directly to the crab, a 
winding-apparatus or motor at the foot of the post. An- 
other rope connects the top of the boom with a block at 
the top of the post, and thence passes to the motor be- 
low. The motions of the derrick are a direct lift, n circu- 
lar motion round the axis of the post, and a radial motion 
within the circle described by the point of the boom. 
On shipboard a derrick is a spar raised on end, with the 
head steadied by guys and the heel by lashings, and hav- 
ing one or more purchases depending from it to raise 
heavy weights. Floating derrick, a movable derrick 
erected on a special boat or vessel. Such derricks have a 
single central post or support, and a horizontal Iroom sup- 
ported at some elevation on the post and carrying a trav- 
eling carriage which bears the block from which the load 
Is suspended. Tile Ixwm is supported by stays from the 
top of the post, and is also counterbalanced by means of 
stays run from the opposite end of the boom to the deck 
of the vessel on which the derrick is built. The lloatiug 
derrick used by tho Department of Docks In New York has 
a lifting capacity of 100 tons, and a clear lift of 50 feet. 
derrick-car (der'tt-kkr), . A railroad-car 
upon which a small derrick is mounted, used 
especially for clearing the line of wrecks or 
other obstructions. 
derrick-crane (dt>r'ik-kran), . A crane in 
which tho post is supported by fixed stays in the 
rear and the jib 
is pivoted like 
the boom of a 
derrick, it has 
the radial motion of 
a derrick without 
its freedom of circu- 
lar motion, the trav- 
el of the load heimi 
limited by the fixed 
stays. 
derries (der'iz), 
n. pi. [Prob. a 
var. of dhurries, 
tho Indian fab- 
rics known in the 
West by that 
name.] A cot- 
ton cloth, usual- 
ly of blue and brown, or of either of these colors, 
with white, made in very simple designs, such 
as stripes. 
derring-dot, See daring-do. 
Derrick-crane. 
1555 
derring-doert, ". See darig-do<r. 
derringer (der'iu-jer), n. [After tho inventor, 
an American gunsmith.] A short-barreled pis- 
tol of large caliber, very efficient at short range. 
derry (der'i). [Kepr. Ir. doire, an oak-wood, 
< ilnir (^<>n. ilnracli), daur (gen. daro), an oak, 
= W. dar and dene, an oak, = Gr. <Spi>f, an oak, 
orig. tree, = Goth, triu = AS. tredic, K. tree, q. 
v.] A frequent element in Irish place-names : 
as, Derry, Ito-rybrian, Londonderry. 
The ancient name of LondoiKfcrn/ was />crn/calt;agli, 
the oak-wood of Calgach. After St. Columba erected his 
monastery there, in 546, it was called Cfr/7/-Colnnikille, 
until James I. granted ft to a company of London mer- 
chants, who named it Londonderry. 
Sevtman (newspaper). 
derryt, derry-downt. A meaningless refrain or 
chorus in old songs. 
dertht, . An obsolete form of dearth. 
dertra, . Plural of dertrum. 
dertron (der'tron), . Same as dertrum. 
dertrotheca (der-tro-the'kft), . [NL., < Gr. 
dtprpov, a vulture's beak (see dertrum), + 6f/K//, 
a sheath.] In ornith., the integument of the 
dertrum, however distinguished from the rest 
of tho covering of the beak. It is quite dis- 
tinct in some birds, as petrels. 
dertrum (der'trum), >;.; pi. dertra (-tril). [NL., 
also dertron, < Gr. Aiprpov, the caul or membrane 
enveloping the bowels (L. amentum), also later 
used of a vulture's beak, < ic/iav, skin, flay, = 
E. tear 1 , q. v.] In ornith., tho extremity of the 
upper mandible of a bird, in any way distin- 
guished from the rest of the bill, as by the 
hook in a bird of prey or a petrel, tho hard 
part in a pigeon, or the nail in a duck. 
dervish (der' vish), n. [Also formerly den-is, der- 
vise, dervisse, derviche, darvise, etc.: = F. der- 
riche, denis = Sp. Pg. derviche = It. dervis = 
G. dertcisch, < Turk, derrish, Ar. darwish, < Pers. 
darrish or daneish, a dervish, so called from his 
profession of extreme poverty, lit. poor, indi- 
gent, being equiv. to Ar. faqir, a fakir, lit. 
poor, indigent : see fakir.'] A Mohammedan 
monk, professing poverty, humility, and chas- 
tity ; a Mohammedan fakir. There are thirty-slx or- 
ders of regular dervishes, who for the most part observe 
celibacy, and live in convents of not more than forty per- 
sons, under the supervision of a sheik or elder. Some, 
however, are permitted to marry and live with their fami- 
lies, but are required to spend at least two nights of each 
week in the monastery. The novitiate Is severe, and the 
rules of the orders are strict. They are generally divided 
into two classes, viz. : spinning or whirliny dervishes (Men- 
levin) and liotdiny dervishes (Rn/au). To the violent cir- 
cular dances and pirouetting of the spinning dervishes the 
latter add vociferous shouting and cries to Allah. The 
most important order of dervishes is that of the Mevlevis, 
whose monasteries (Turkish tekye) are found at Konleh in 
Asia Minor, at Constantinople, and elsewhere. 
And many of these Dantiset there maintained, to look 
to his Sepulchre, and to recelne the offerings of such as 
come. Purchas, Pilgrimage, p. 308. 
A small Gothic chapel ... Is now converted into a 
mosque, belonging to a Mahometan convent, in which 
there is only one df.rmche. 
Pococke, Description of the East, II. L 28. 
There were dervishes with lieards stained of a fiery-red 
color, ami wearing queer conical hats, who. If they did not 
regularly belong to the howling sect of Constantinople, 
most decidedly showed themselves qualified for admission 
to it by the fashion in which they yelled, screamed, and 
groaned, exhorting me In the name of the blessed All, and 
the Imams Hassan and Hussein, not forgetting Haziret 
A bass, and many other holy people, to give them charity. 
O'Donocan, Merv, x. 
Desargues's theorem. See theorem. 
desartt, . and H. An obsolete form of desert 1 . 
descant (des'kant), n. [Also discant; < OF. 
descant, descaunt, usually deschant, F. decliaiit 
(as a historical term), descant, = Pr. desclianx, 
descant, = Sp. discante = Pg. descantc = G. Dan. 
Sw. diskant, descant, < ML. discantus, a part- 
song, refrain, descant, < L. dis-, away, apart, + 
cantus, song, a concert (see cant 2 and eltanl); 
or rather from the verb, ML. discantare, sing, 
descant: see descant, v. The word has also been 
explained as a variant (with dis-, Gr. iif-, it-, 
for L. bis-) of an assumed ML. "biscantus; 'dou- 
ble-song,' < L. bis-, bi-, two-, + cantus, song.] 
If. In music: (a) A counterpoint added to a 
given melody or cantus firmus, and usually 
written above it. (6) The art of contriving 
such a counterpoint, or, in general, of compos- 
ing part-music. Descant was tho first stage 
in the development of counterpoint; it began 
about 1100. (c) In part-music, the upper part 
or voice, especially the soprano or air. 
He that alwayes singeth one note without drskant breed- 
eth no delight. l./ily, Euphues, Anat. of Wit, p. 137. 
The merry Larke hir mat t ins sings aloft ; 
The Thrush replyes ; the Mavis descant playes. 
Speruer, Epithalamion. 1. 81. 
descend 
He ... should lien 
..v . . . . Mu .ild hear, as I have very often, the clear airs, 
the sweet dt*canlt. I. WiiKnn, Co'mpk-te Angler, p. 26. 
After the angel had told his message in plain song, the 
whole chorua joined In dtxiini. 
Jer. Taylor, Works (ed. 1835). I. 43. 
2. A varied song ; a song or tune with various 
modulations. 
Late In an euen, I walked out alone, 
To heare the descant of the Nightingale. 
(jajtcoiyHe, Fhilomene (ed. Arber), p. 87. 
Wee must have the descant you made upon our names, 
ere you depart. Jlartlon, Antonio and Melllda, I., II. 1. 
I hear the wood-thrush piping one mellow descant more, 
Uri/anl, Waiting by the Gate. 
The descant of the watch, relieved by violent cock-crows, 
disturbed us all night. Harper'* May., LXI V. 643. 
3. A continued discourse or series of comments 
upon a subject ; a disquisition ; comment ; re- 
mark. 
And look you, get a prayer-book In your hand, 
And stand between two churchmen, good my lord ; 
For on that ground I'll make a holv descant. 
Shale., Rich. III., 111.7. 
Upon this occasion . . . the disciples of Jesus In after- 
ages have pleased themselves with fancies and imperfect 
descants, as that he cursed this tree In mystery anu secret 
Inteiidment. Jer. Taylor, Works (ed. 1SS5), I. 289. - 
But lHx>ks of jests being shown her, she could 
read them well enough, and have cunning des- 
cants upon them. C. Mother, Mag. Chris., vl. 7. 
Descant clef, the soprano or treble clef that 
Is, the ('clef when placed on the first line of the 
staff. Plain, florid, double descant See 
counterpoint. 
descant (des-kanf), v. i. [= OF. descantcr, 
deschanter, dechanter, later sometimes discanter, 
sing, descant, also recant, F. ddchanter, change 
one^s note, = Pr. deschantar = Sp. discantar = 
Pg. descantar, chant, sing, compose or recite 
verses, quaver upon an air, discourse copiously, 
< ML. discantare, sing, descant, < L. dis-, apart, 
+ cantarc, sing: see canft, chant, and cf. des- 
cant, n. Cf. ML. discantare (> It. discantare = 
OF. descanter, deschanter), disenchant, < L. dis- 
priv. 4- caiitare, sing. Cf. also decantate*.] If. 
In music, to run a division or variety with the 
voice, on a musical ground in true measure; 
sing. 
Come, Philomel, that slng'st of ravishment, . . . 
For burden-wise I'll hum on Tarquin still, 
While thou on Tereus deicant'st better skill. 
Slink., Lucrece, I. 1134. 
2. To make copious and varied comments; 
discourse ; remark again and again in varied 
phrase ; enlarge or dwell on a matter in a va- 
riety of remarks or comments about it : usu- 
ally with on or upon before the subject of re- 
mark: as, to descant vj>on the beauties of a 
scene, or the shortness of life. 
Affirming that he chased him from him. of which some 
descant whether it |be| by exile or excommunication, or 
some other punishment. Purchas, Pilgrimage, p. 151. 
Thus old and young still descant on her name. 
Dekker an<l Webster, Sir Thomas Wyat (ed. Hazlltt), p. 21. 
A virtuous man should be pleased to find people dc*cnnt- 
i,7 on Ills actions. Addison. 
descanter (des-kan'ter), n. One who descants. 
descant-viol (des'kant-vi'ol), n. The smallest 
or treble viol; a violin: so called because it 
is fitted to play the descant or upper part in 
part-music. 
Descartes's rule. See rule. 
descemetitis (de-sem-e-ti'tis), n. [NL., < De- 
scemet + -itis.] Inflammation of the membrane 
of Descemet (which see, under membrane). 
descend (de-send'), v. [< ME. decenden, < OF. 
descendre, F. descendre = Pr. deisseiidre, dixsen- 
dre = Sp. Pg. descender = It. descendere, discen- 
dere, < L. descendere, pp. descensns, come down, 
go down, fall, sink, < de, down, 4- scandere, 
climb: see scan, scandent. Cf. ascend, conde- 
scend, transcend.] I. intrans. 1. To move or 
pass from a higher to a lower place; move, 
come, or go downward ; fall ; sink : as. he de- 
scended from the tower ; the sun is descending. 
The rain descended, and the floods came. Mat vii. 2S. 
Thy glories now have touch'd the highest point, 
And must descend. 
Fletcher (and another), False One, v. 2. 
From Cambrian wood and most 
Druids descend, auxiliary of the Cross. 
Wordsworth, Eccles. Sonnets. L 10. 
[Bel, with holiest meditations fed, 
Into himself descended. Milton. P. K., II. 111. 
2. To come or go down in a hostile manner; 
invade, as an enemy ; fall violently : with on. 
The Grecian fleet descendiny on the town. Dryden. 
And on the suitors let thy wrath descend. 
Pope, Odyssejr. 
8. To proceed from a source or original ; be de- 
rived lineally or by transmission ; come or pass 
