detersive 
The ashes . . . are so acrimonious that they make a lye 
extreamly detersive. 
Plutarch's Morals (trans.), iii. 319 (Ord MS.). 
II. . A medicine which cleanses. 
Painful sordid ulcers, if not timely relieved by deter- 
sines and lenients. Wiseman, Surgery. 
detersively (de-ter'siv-li), adv. In a detersive 
manner. 
detersiveness (de-ter'siv-nes), n. The quality 
of being detersive. 
detest (de-test'), v. t. [< F. detester = fep. Pg. 
detestar = It. detestare, < L. detestari, imprecate 
evil while calling the gods to witness, denounce, 
hate intensely, < de- + testari, testify, bear wit- 
ness, < testis, a witness: see tea ft, testify. Cf. 
attest, contest, protest, obtest.] To hold worthy 
of malediction; execrate; hate; dislike intense- 
ly: as, to detest crimes or meanness. 
How shall I lose the sin, yet keep the sense, 
And love the offender, yet detest th' offence ? 
Pope, Eloisa to Abelard, 1. 192. 
But they detest Venice as a place of residence, being 
naturally averse to living in the midst of a people who 
shun them like a pestilence. Howells, Venetian Life, i. 
= Syn. Abhor, Detest, etc. (see hate) ; to execrate, view with 
detestability (de-tes-ta-bil'i-ti), n. [= OF. de- 
testabilite; as detestable + -ity: see -bility.] The 
state or quality of being detestable; detesta- 
bleness. 
Nevertheless it is plausibly urged that, as young ladies 
(Madchen) are, to mankind, precisely the most delightful 
in those years, so young gentlemen (Bubchen) do then 
attain their maximum of detestability. 
Carlyle, Sartor Resartus, p. 88. 
1574 
The dethronement of a lawful king was held to be as lit- 
tle of a crime as the deposition of a wrongful usurper. 
and (to their power) blotted out the remembrance of the 
regal and sacerdotal throne. 
Arnway, The Tablet (ed. 1661), p. 176. 
dethronizationt(de-thro-ni-za'shon),. [< ML. 
as if *detlironizatio(n-), < dethronizare, pp. de- 
thronizatus, equiv. to dethronare, dethrone: see 
dethrone. Cf. disthronize.] The act of dethron- 
ing. [Rare.] 
As for the queene, when shee was (God knows how farre 
guilty) advertised of her husband's dethronization, shee 
outwardly expressed . . . great extremity of passion. 
Speed, Edw. II., IX. xu. 73. 
detinet (det'i-net), n. [L., he detains, 3d pers. 
sing. pres. ind. act. of detinere, detain: see de- 
tain.] An old action of debt at common law 
(chiefly in the phrase action in the detinet), 
founded on the allegation that defendant kept 
back the money, whether it was money due as 
his own debt (debet and detinet, he owes and 
detains), or was merely withheld, as where he 
was executor of the debtor. Sometimes used 
similarly of replevin for a chattel. 
detinue (det'i-nu), . [< OF. detinu, detenu, F. 
detenu, pp. of detenir, F. detenir, detain, < L. 
detinere: see detain.] In law, an old form of 
session of specific articles of personal property 
unlawfully detained. 
By Action of debt, action of detinue., bill, plaint, infor- 
nation, or otherwise. Haklutjt's Voyages, I. 371. 
ni), . Detention; 
= It. detestabile, < L. detestabilis, execrable, 
abominable, < detestari, execrate, abominate, 
detest : see detest.] To be detested ; hateful ; 
abominable ; execrable ; very odious. 
Thou hast defiled my sanctuary with all thy detestable 
things. Ezek. v. 11. 
Bad affairs and extortions always overtake you in this 
detestable country, at the very time when you are about to 
But this little detiny is great iniquity. 
Rev. T. Adams, Works, I. 145. 
detonable (det'o-na-bl), a. [< deton(ate) + 
-able.] Capable 'of detonating, or exploding on 
ignition. 
These grades of dynamite are only rendered detonable 
by the admixture of explosive salts ; and therefore the 
presence of these explosive salts does serve to perform a 
- 
(det'o-nat), 
detraction 
The man drew a pistol from under his cloak, and fired 
full in his face. Had it happened in these days of deto- 
nators, Frank's chance had been small. 
Kingsley, Westward Ho, p. 89. 
+ -ation.] The act of detonating, as certain 
combustible bodies. 
detonize (det'o-niz), v. ; pret. and pp. detonized, 
ppr. detonizing. [< L. detail-art', thunder (see 
detonate), + -ize.] I. trans. To cause to ignite 
with an explosion ; detonate. 
Nineteen parts in twenty of detonized nitre is destroyed 
in eighteen days. Arbuthnot, Effects of Air. 
II. intrans. To take fire with a sudden re- 
port; detonate. 
This precipitate . . . detanizes with a considerable noise. 
Fourcroy, 
detorsiont, See detortion. 
' .t. [< L. detortus, pp. of de- 
), turn aside, twist out 
< de, away, + torquere, twist : see 
tort. Cf. distort.] Same as distort. 
They . . . have detorted texts of Scripture. Dryden. 
detortiont (de-tor'shon), n. [= F. detorsion, < 
L. as if *detortio(n-) or *detorsio(n-), < detor- 
quere, pp. detortus or detorsits, turn aside, twist 
out of shape : see detort.] Same as distortion. 
Also spelled detorsion. 
Cross those detorsimis, when it [the heart] downward tends, 
And when it to forbidden heights pretends. 
Donne, Poems, p. 327. 
detour (de-t6r'), TO. [< F. detour, a turn, bend, 
circuit, < detoitrner, turn aside: see deturn.] 
A turning: a roundabout or circuitous way; 
deviation from the direct or shortest road or 
route. 
The path reached an impassable gorge, which occasioned 
a detour of two or three hours. 
B. Taylor, Lands of the Saracen, p. 162. 
Rhymes . . . sometimes, even in so abundant a language 
as the Italian, havedriven the most straightforward of poets 
into an awkward detour. Lowell, Study Windows, p. 329. 
detract (de-trakf), v. [< F. detracter = Sp. de- 
tractor = It. detrattare,<. L. detractare, also (with 
abominable. detonate (aer/ o-nai;, v. ; pret. and pp. deto- 
detestableness (df-tes'ta-bl-nes), n. The qual- nated, ppr. detonating. [< L. detonatus, pp. of 
detonare (> F. detoner = Sp. Pg. detonar), thun- 
der, < de- intensive + tonare, thunder : see thun- 
der.] I. trans. To cause to explode; specifi- 
ity of being detestable ; extreme hatefulness. 
It is their intrinsic hatefulness and detest ableness which 
originally inflames us against them. ._, .. _ * . 
Adam Smith, Moral Sentiments, ii. 2. cally, to cause to explode with great sudden- 
detestably (de-tes'ta-bli), adv. In a detestable ness and with a loud report, 
manner; very hatefully ; abominably; exeera- II. intrans. To explode with great sudden- 
bly. ness and with a loud noise : as, niter detonates 
A temper of mind rendering men so detestably bad, with sulphur. 
that the great enemy of mankind neither can nor desires detonating (det'6-na-ting), p. a. Exploding ; 
to make them worse. South. ign i tin g w "fth a sudden report.- Detonating bulb, 
detestant (de-tes'tant), n. [< L. detestan(t-)s, a small glass bulb cooled quickly as soon as made, ancj 
ppr. of detestari, detest: see detest.] Same as 
detester. [Rare.] 
You know not what to term them, unless deteetants of 
the Romish idolatry. Bp. Racket, Abp. Williams, i. 121. 
detestatet (de-tes'tat), v. t. [< L. detestatus, 
pp. of detestari : see detest.] To detest. 
Whiche, as a nun-tall enemy, tile doctrine of the Ohospel 
dooeth detestate & abhorre. J. Udall, On John, Pref. ,. 
. . ,. .,. , .-, - s rf -EI -,-t , of ammonia with silver and gold, and the fulminates of 
detestation (de-tes-ta snon), n. [< X . detesta- 8JIver and me rcury, detonate by slight friction, or by the 
tion = Pr. detestatio = Sp. detestacion = Pg. de- agency of heat, electricity, or sulphuric acid. Detonat- 
thus subjected to unequal strains of contraction. It will 
bear considerable pressure, but the scratch of a sharp 
grain of sand dropped upon it will cause it to fly into 
pieces. Also called Prince Rupert's drop. Detonat- 
ing powders, or fulminating powders, certain chemical 
compounds which, on being exposed to heat or suddenly 
struck, explode with a loud report, owing to the fact that 
one or more of the constituent parts suddenly assume the 
gaseous state. The chlorid and iodide of nitrogen are 
very powerful detonating substances. The compounds 
___-ated by two opposed wires for the purpose . ^ 
with of. an electric spark through the gases which are introduced 
In how different a degree of detestation numbers of into it, and are confined within it over merciiry and water. 
wicked actions stand there, tho' equally bad and vicious detonation (det-O-na shon),l. [=* . detonation 
in their own natures I Sterne, Tristram Shandy, ii. 18. = Sp. detonacion = Pg. detonaqao, < L. as if *de- 
We are heartily agreed in our detestation of civil wars. tonatio(n-), < detonare, thunder: see detonate.] 
Burke. An explosion or sudden report made by heat- 
detester (de-tes ter), n. One who detests. 
To rob men, and make God the receiver, who is the de- 
tetter, and will be the puuisher, of such crimes. 
Bp. Hopkins, Ou the First Commandment. 
dethrone (de-thron'), v. t. ; pret. and pp. de- 
throned, ppr. dethroning. [< ML. dethronare, < 
L. de- priv. + thronus, a seat, throne: see 
throne. Ct. disthrone.] 1 . To remove or drive 
from a throne ; depose ; divest of royal author- 
ity and dignity. 
ing or striking certain combustible bodies, as 
fulminating gold ; explosion in mass. 
Detonation may be defined to be the instantaneous ex- 
plosion of the whole mass of a body. 
Kisiler, Mod. High Explosives, p. 84. 
Demosthenes, in particular, exhibits consummate dex- 
terity in this art [of ordering words with reference to ef- 
fect]. At his pleasure, he separates his lightning and his 
thunder by an interval that allows his hearer half to forget 
the coming detonation. 
G. P. Marsh, Lects. on Eng. Lang., xvi. 
The former class demanded a distinct recognition of the J-tr-no-Htro fHot'n no ti^ n f< fletmintK + 
right of subjects to dethrone bad princes. OetOnatlVe ( t O-na-tiy), a. KOi 
Macaulay, Hist. Eng., x. -'] Capable of detonating; explosive. 
When the gunpowder is exploded by nitro-glycerine, its 
explosion becomes instantaneous ; it becomes detonative ; 
it occurs at a much higher temperature, produces a much 
larger volume of gas, and consequently develops a very 
much greater force than when exploded alone. 
2. To divest of rule, or of supreme power or 
authority. 
The republicans, being dethroned by Cromwell, were 
the party whose resentment he had the greatest reason to 
apprehend. Ilunir, Hist. Eng., VI. l\i. 
dethronement (de-thron'ment), n. [< dethrone detonator (det'o-na-tor), n. [< detonate + -or.] 
+ -ment.] Removal from a throne ; deposition That which detonates ; a detonating prepara- 
of a king, an emperor, or any supreme ruler. tion; a percussion-cap. 
JSissler, Mod. High Explosives, p. 69. 
i, also decline, refuse, freq. of detrahere 
(> It. detrarre = Sp. detraer = Pg. detrahir = 
Pr. detraire = OF. detraire, > ME. detrayen: 
see defray), pp. detractus, pull down, take away, 
disparage, detract from, < de, away, down, + 
<raAere,draw: see tract 1 .] I. trans. I. To take 
away; withdraw; abate: now always with a 
quantitative term as direct object, followed by 
from : as, the defect detracts little from the in- 
trinsic value. 
Shall I . . . detract so much from that prerogative, 
As to be call'd but viceroy of the whole? 
Shak., 1 Hen. VI., v. 4. 
The multitude of partners does detract nothing from 
each man's private share. Boyle. 
2f. To depreciate the reputation or merit of; 
disparage; belittle; defame. 
To malign, traduce, or detract the person or writings of 
Quintus Horatius Flaccus. B. Jonson, Poetaster, v. 1. 
Should I detract his worth, 
'Twould argue want of merit in myself. 
Fletcher (and another), Love's Cure, i. 1. 
= Syn. Decry, Depreciate, Detract from, etc. See decry. 
II. intrans. To take away a part ; hence, spe- 
cifically, to take away reputation or merit : fol- 
lowed by from. 
King Philip did not detract from the nation when he 
said he sent his armado to fight with men, and not to com- 
bat with the winds. Sir T. Browne, Religio Medici, i. 17. 
Such motives always detract from the perfect beauty 
even of good works. Sumner, Fame and (ilory. 
"Virtue" and "utility" are ideas not only fundamen- 
tally distinct, but so far in natural opposition, that the ex- 
istence of utility in an action may now and again detract 
from its virtue. Mivart, Nature and Thought, p. 150. 
detracter, . See detractor. 
detractingly (de-trak'ting-li), adv. In a de- 
tracting manner ; injuriously. 
Rather by a hidden and oblique way insinuate his error 
to him than dt'tnti'tiiiijhf blaze it. 
Bp. Ilenshaw, Daily Thoughts (ed. 1651), p. 13. 
detraction (df-trak'shon), ii. [< ME. detrac- 
tion, -tioun, -r'ioan, < O"F. detraction, F. detrac- 
tion = Pr. detraccio, detraetio = Sp. detraccion = 
Pg. detracqao = It. detrazione, < L. detractio(n-), 
a taking away, purging, LL. detraction, < de- 
trahere, pp. detractus, take away, detract: see 
detract.] If. A withdrawing ; a taking away; 
removal. 
Yon shall enquire of the lawful taking of partridges, 
and pheasants, ur fowl, the Aetractio* of the eggs of the 
said wild fowl, Ac. 
Bacon, Charge at Session for the Verge, p. 18. 
