Desmodontes 
are the true vampires, In the sense of bloodsuckers, and 
the only tines in the new uoi Id known to have the habit, 
though the term mi/,i',v i. commonly applied like the 
name of the pemis l'n,nfitrinf, to numerous large insec- 
tivorous and frnxivorons sp* les of a diltcrcnt section. 
Desmodus (des'mo-dus), M. [NL.,< Gr. (hoy/of, 
a bund, chain, + iVWr (iifm-r-) = K. tooth.'] A 
remarkable genus of South American phyllos- 
tomino bats, typical of the group Desmodontes, 
family I'lii/llo.i/oiiiiitid'a;, having no molar teeth 
and no calear. D. rufus, a common and trou- 
blesome blood-sucking species, is the type. 
Desmognathae (des-mog'na-the), n. pi. [NL., 
fern. pi. (sc. L. OM>, I'inls) of desmoijnathus : 
see desmoffnrttlioiiH.] In Huxley's classification 
of birds (1867), a group exhibiting what is call- 
ed the ''bound-palate" type of structure of the 
upper jaw, as in those wading and swimming 
birds which are not schizognatnous, in the birds 
of prey, and in various non-passerine perching 
birds. See dcmniM/ntitliism. 
Desmognathidaa (des-mog-nath'i-do), n. pi. 
[NL., < Desinoi/ii/illnifi + -ida:'] A family of 
gradient or tailed amphibians, typified by the 
genus DcsmoijiM til us. The series of palatine teeth are 
transverse, and on the posterior portion of vomers; the 
dentigerous plates are on the parasphenoid ; the vertebra: 
are opisthocujliaii ; the parasphenoid teeth are in twoelon- 
gate patches ; and the tongue is free laterally and behind. 
desmognathism (des-mog'na-thi/.m), n. [As 
(ti'xiinx/itiit/i-itiis + -ism.] In oriiith. , the "bound- 
palate" type of palatal structure, such as is ex- 
hibited, for example, by a duck, pelican, hawk, 
or parrot ; the state or quality of being desmog- 
nathous. The vomer is either abortive or very small 
(when existing it usually taj>ers to a point in front); the 
inaxillopalatims are united across the median line, either 
directly or by means of ossifications in the nasal septum; 
and the posterior ends of the palatines and the anterior 
ends of the pterygoids 
articulate directly 
witli the rostrum of 
the sphenoid (as In 
schlzognathism). Rec- 
ognized varieties of 
this formation are : (a) 
direct ; (6) indirect; (a) 
imperfectly direct ; (d) 
Imperfectly indirect ; 
() double; (/) com- 
pound. \V. K. Parker, 
Encyc. Brit. 
desmognathous 
(des-raog'ua-thus), 
a. [< NL. ih'smog- 
nath us, < Gr. fca/iof, 
a band, + )vd8of, a 
jaw.] Having the 
"bound - palate" 
type of structure; 
exhibiting des- 
mognathism ; be- 
longing or relat- 
ing to the Dcsmog- 
nathte: as, a des- 
mognathousp&l&te; 
a desmognathous 
bird. 
Desmognathus (des-mog'na-thus), H. [NL. (S. 
F. Baird, 1849), < Gr. cVo^o'c, a baud, + > rafter, 
jaw.] A genus of tailed amphibians, typical 
of the family Desmognatliidce. 
desmography (des-mog'ra-fi), n. [< Gr. <Jroy/dr, 
a band, ligament, + -ypafyia, < y/>a6ctv, write.] A 
description of the ligaments of the body. 
desmoid (des'moid), a. [< Gr. Sea/ioc,, a band, 
bundle, ligament, T u<5or, form.] Resembling 
a bundle. Specifically (n) In jmlliol., applied to cer- 
tain linn and lou-h fibromata or tumors which, on section, 
present numerous white, glistening fibers. Intimately in- 
terwoven or arranged in bundles, constituting circles or 
loops intercrossiii!: one another, (d) In zoril. and anal., 
liganicntons ; tendinous; aponeurotic; sinewy: said of 
fibrous tissues which bind parts together. 
desmology (des-mol'o-ji), . [< Gr. deodar, a 
baud, ligament, + -'/oyia, < teynv, speak: see 
-ology.] The anatomy of the ligaments. 
Desmomyaria (des'mo-mi-a'ri-a), n. pi. [NL., 
< Gr. deofiof,, a band, + '/'i'f, a muscle (see mouse, 
muscle), + -aria.] A group of free-swimming 
tuuicates or ascidian.s, the salps, regarded as 
an order of Thaliaeea : opposed to Cyclomyaria. 
See Sn/pidai. 
Desuioncus (des-mong'kus), n. [NL., < Gr. 
ieaftof, a band, + oj'/iof, barb; so called from 
the long, attenuate, and strongly hooked ends 
of the leafstalks.] A genus of palms found in 
the forests of tropical America. They have ion- 
slender, flexible -stems, climbing among the "branches of 
trees by the stout recurved spines which arm the elon- 
gated rachis of the pinnate leaves. The fruit is small and 
globose. There are about 25 species. 
desmppelmous (des-mo-pel'mus), a. [< Gr. 
if, a band, + TT^.^O, the sole of the foot, + 
Desmognathous Skull (Secretary-bird). 
/'"f.v, premaxilla ; PI. palatine ; Mxp, 
pteryttold ; Bft, basipterygoid process. 
1563 
-!.] In nntilh., having the plantar tendons 
bound together ; having the flexor hiillucis mus- 
cle connected by a baud with tin' tloxor digito- 
rum, so that the hind toe cannot be bent indepen- 
dently of the front toes. Tim M'verni ways in which 
UH- union ocelli's art; distinguished as antiopeliiiou*. gym- 
peltnoux, nnil hfterojjelnwwt: opposed to tioinnptttnowt or 
Hchizopelmuus: as, a ilf\nwpelmuiiit disposition of the ten- 
<l'ins; :i >l>*/n<>i-!uitntg bird. 
Desmoscolex (des-mo-sko'leks), n. [NL., < Gr. 
(t7/iof, a band, + onu/r/, a worm, esp. the earth- 
worm.] The typical genus of nematoid thread- 
worms of the family Desmoscolicifhe, notable in 
having the body much more distinctly seg- 
mented than that of other Nematoidea, and 
the papilla; and seta) resembling those of anne- 
lids. 
Desmoscolicidse (des'mo-sko-lis'i-de), n. pi. 
[NL., < Desmoscolex (-lie-) + -ufYe.] An aber- 
rant group of nematoid worms, typified by the 
genus Desmoscolex. 
Desmosticha (des-mos'ti-kS,), n. pi. [NL., < 
Gr. (Sfo-^of, a band, + ori^oc, a row, a line.] 
The endocyclic or regular sea-urchins, having 
the ambulacra equal and band-like, and not ex- 
panded as in the I'etalosticha or spatangoids. 
The group consists of the families Cidariace, Ecninidcn, 
EchinoiHftridas, etc. See cuts under CUlaria unit Echinus. 
desmostichous (des-mos'ti-kus), a. [< Desmos- 
ticha + -ous.] Pertaining to or having the 
characters of the Desmosticha. 
desmoteuthid (des-mo-tu'thid), n. A squid of 
the family Desmoteutfiidtr. 
Desmoteiithidae (des-mo-tu'thi-de), n.pl. [NL., 
< Desiitoteuthis + -ida 1 .] A family of decacerous 
cephalopods, typified by the ge- 
nus Desmoteuthis. The body is much 
elongated, and the siphon has three pecu- 
liar special thickenings, or raised pro- 
cesses, in its basal portion. 
Desmoteuthis (des-mo-tu'this), n. 
[NL., < Gr. ika/j6f, a band, 4- mift'f , 
a squid.] A genus of squids, giv- 
ing name to the family Desmoteu- 
thiilas : a synonym of Taonius. 
desmotomy (des-mot'o-mi), n. 
[< Gr. 6ea/t6f, a band, ligament, + 
-TO.UI'O, < ro/iuf, cutting: see anat- 
omy.'] The act or art of dissect- 
ing ligaments. 
deserialization (de-sd*shal-i-za' - 
shon), n. [< "desocialize ((. dc- 
priv. 4- social + -tee) + -atio.~\ 
The act of rendering unsocial: 
the derangement or loss of social 
instincts or habits. Also spelled 
desocialisation. 
Their [hysterical women's] example proves also how the 
derangement of the social sense leads naturally and inevi- 
tably to a deterioration of moral feeling and will; it is 
demoralization following detorialination. 
Maudtley, Body and Will, p. 258. 
desolate (des'o-lat), p. t.\ pret. and pp. deso- 
lated, ppr. desolating. [< ME. desolaten, < L. 
desolatus, pp. of desolare ()lt. desolare = Sp. Pg. 
Pr. desolar = F. desoler), leave alone, forsake, 
abandon, < de- intensive + solare, make lonely, 
lay waste, desolate, < solus, alone : see sole^.j 
1. To render lonely, as a place or region, by 
depopulation or devastation ; make desert; lay 
waste; ruin; ravage. 
The island of Atlantis was nut swallowed by an earth- 
quake, but was desolated by a particular deluge. Bacon. 
Those who with the gun, . . . 
Worse than the season, titmlatt the fields. 
Thornton, Winter. 
Wind-blown hair 
Of comets, desolating the dim air. 
A. C. Swinburne, Anactoria. 
We hear of storms washing away and demlatiivi the isl- 
ets [atolls) to an extent which astonished the inhabitants. 
Dtinrm, Coral Reefs, p. IGti. 
2. To overwhelm with grief; afflict; make very 
sorry or weary: as, his heart was desolated by 
his loss; your misfortune desolates me; to be 
desolated by ennui. [In the last example a 
Gallicism.] 
desolate (des'o-lat), a. [< ME. desolate, dcso- 
lat, < L. rtesolatus, pp.: see the verb.] 1. Soli- 
tary; lonely; without companionship; forsaken. 
Many a gentill lady be lefte wedowe, and many a gen- 
till mayden dyeolat, and with-outen counseile. 
Merlin (E. E. T. S.), III. 596. 
No one is so accursed by fate, 
No one so utterly detolate, 
But some heart, though unknown, 
Responds unto his own. 
Lonsifellotr, Endymioa. 
Hope touched her heart ; no longer desolate, 
Deserted of all creatures did she feel. 
H'iUiam Morris, Earthly Paradise, I. 234. 
Dtsmetettthil 
Uttera. 
desolator 
2. Overwhelmed with grief ; deprived of com- 
fort; afflicted. 
And in hym self they stode soo detolate ; 
Whanne kyng l^>yl>n saw they were putte to flight, 
That iu nix) wise they wold no lenger tight. 
(Jtnerydei (E. E. T. 8.), I. 308S. 
So Tamar remained daolate In her brother Alisalom's 
house. 2 Sam. xill. 20. 
My heart within me is detolate. ft. cxliii. 4. 
3t. Destitute; lacking. 
I were ryght now of tales deiolat. 
Chaucer, Man of Law's Tale, 1, 33. 
4. Destitute of inhabitants; uninhabited; lone- 
ly; abandoned: as, a desolate wilderness; <fe#o- 
late altars; desolate towers. 
I will make the cities of Judith desolate, without an In- 
habitant. Jer. if. 11. 
Behold, your house Is left unto you detolate. For I say 
unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, 
blessed Is he that cometh In the name of the Lord. 
Mat xxill. 38, 39. 
A detolate Island. Broome. 
This delicious Plain is now almost detolate, lieing iuf- 
fer'd, for want of culture, to run up to rank weed*. 
Mautidrell, Aleppo to Jerusalem, p. 53. 
Any one who sees the desolate country about Jerusalem 
may conclude what a sad alteration all these parts have 
undergone since the time of Josephus, who says that the 
whole territory abounded in trees. 
I'ococke, Description of the East, II. I. 24. 
5f. Lost to shame ; abandoned ; dissolute. 
Ever the heyer he Is of estaat, 
The more is he holden drxolaat. 
Chaucer, Pardoner's Tale, I. 138. 
= 8vn. 1. Companlonless. 2. Forlorn, cheerless, misera- 
ble, wretched. 4. Abandoned, unfrequented, lonely, 
waste, wild, barren, dreary. 
desolately (des'6-lat-li), adv. In a desolate 
manner; as one forsaken, abandoned, or over- 
whelmed with ruin or grief. 
Nehemlah, whom all the pleasures of the Persian court 
could not satisfy, whilst Jerusalem was detolatfty misera- 
ble. Balet, Works, IV. Iv. 
desolateness (des'o-lat-nes), n. The state of 
being desolate, in any sense of the word. 
In so great discomfort It hath pleased God some ways to 
regard my desolatenets. Bacon, Works, VI. 38. 
desolater (des'o-la-ter), n. See desolator. 
desolation (des-o-la'shon), . [= F. desolation 
= Sp. desolation = Pg. desolai;So = It. desola- 
zione, < LL. desolalio(n-), < L. desolare: see deso- 
late, .] 1. The act of desolating ; destruction 
or expulsion of inhabitants ; devastation ; a 
laying waste. 
What with yonr praysesof the eountrey, and what with 
your discourse of the lamentable deviation thereof, made 
by those . . . Scottes, you have titled me with great com- 
passion. Spenser, State of Ireland. 
Long e'er thou shalt be to Manhood grown, 
Wide Desolation will lay waste this Town. 
Congreee, Iliad. 
2. A desolate place ; a waste, devastated, or 
lifeless place or region. 
How is Babylon become a detolation among the nations 1 
Jer. L 23. 
Let the rocks 
Groan with continual surges ; and behind me 
Make all a desolation. 
Beau, and Ft., Maid's Tragedy, It 2. 
Some great world, as yet unknown, slow moving in the 
outer denotation beyond the remotest of the present plan- 
etary family. Pop. Sei. Mo., XXVI. 55. 
3. A desolate or desolated condition or state ; 
destruction; ruin. 
Every kingdom divided against Itself Is brought todi 
lation. Mat. xii. 
Between York and Durham, the space of 60 Miles, for 
nine Years together, there was so utter Desolation, as that 
neither any House was leftstanding, nor any Ground tilled. 
Baiter, Chronicles, p. 25. 
Choose them for your lords who spoil and bum whole 
countries and call desolation peace. t'ither. 
The wide area of watery detolation was spread out in 
dreadful clearness around them. 
George Eliot, Mill on the Floss, T. 7. 
4. Personal affliction ; the state of being deso- 
late or forsaken ; sadness. 
The king shall mourn, and the prince shall be clothed 
with denotation. Ezek. vli. 27. 
This bosom's detolation. Byron. 
She rested, and her detolation came 
Upon her, and she wept beside the way. 
Teniuism, Geraint 
= Syn.l. Ravage. 3 and 4. Misery, wretchedness, gloom, 
desolator (des'o-la-tor), n. [< LL. desolator, < 
ii. desolare, desolate: see desolate, r.] One who 
desolates or lays waste ; that which desolates. 
Also spelled desolater. 
He shall cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease, and 
commanding over a wing of abominations, be a desolater 
or make desolation. J. Xcde, On Daniel, p. 39. 
eto- 
25. 
