dew-worm 
dew-worm (du'wi'-nii i, . The common earth- 
uunii, l.iniilirii-iis li fi'i xtri.i. 
dewy (d'i'i), [< ML. "di-iry, < AS. iliiiiriij ( 
(i. In Hi,!, Hi, mil/ = H\v. ilnt/i/ii/), < i/niir, dew, + 
-iij, K. -01.] 1. Of or pertaining to dew. 
I're the hot suu count 
His dnicy rosary on the eglantine. 
Keats, Isabella, st. 24. 
'Tis a morning pure and sweet, 
And a ili'ini splendour tails 
On the little flower. 
Tcnnymn, Maud, xxvi. 0. 
2. Of tho nature or appearance of dew ; like 
dew: as, dewy tears. 
A dewy mist 
Went up, and water'd all the ground. 
Milton, K L, vU. SS3. 
3. Moist with or as if with dew. 
His deity locks distill. I 
Ambrosia. Ml/tun, F. L., v. M. 
4. Accompanied with dew ; abounding in dew. 
From morn 
To noon he fell, from noon to deury eve, 
A summer's day. Milton, P. L., L 743. 
But now the sun 
M'ith orient iwams had chased the de nit night 
From earth uiul heaven. Addition, ^Eneid, iii. 
5. Falling gently, or refreshing, like dew: as, 
"dewy sleep ambrosial," Cowper, Iliad, ii. 6. 
In hot., appearing as if covered with dew. 
Dexia (dek'si-tt), n. [NL., < Or. <Jff<df, on the 
right hand or side: see dexter.] A genus of 
flies, of the family Muscidte, or giving name to 
a family Dexilda;. 
Dexiariae (dek-si-a'ri-e), n. pi. [NL., < Dexia + 
-ariiK.] Same as Dexiidit. 
Dexiidae (dek-si'i-de), n. pi. [NL., < Dexia + 
-idte.] A family of dipterous insects, typified 
by the genus Dexia. It is a small group, allied to the 
TackinuiiK, represented In North America by about 40 
species, 80 of which belong to De.xin. It was founded by 
M;irquurt in 18:15. Also called Dexiariee. 
dexiotropic (dek"si-o-trop'ik), a. [< Gr. <Sff<6f, 
on the right hand, + rpoxiKuc,, < rodn'of, a turning, 
< Tpenciv, turn.] Dextral, as a shell ; turning or 
turned to the right, as tho whorls of a spiral 
shell; dextrotropous : opposed to too tropic. 
In Planorbis, which is dexiotropic . . . instead of being 
leiotropic, the osphradium is on the left side, and receives 
its nerve from tile left visceral ganglion, the whole series 
of unilateral organs being reversed. 
E. R. Lankester, Encyc. Brit, XVI. 661. 
dexter (deks'ter), a. and . [= P. dextre = Sp. 
diestro = Pg. It. destro, < L. dexter, right, on the 
right hand or side, handy, dexterous, also (ac- 
cording to Greek notions of omens) fortunate, 
= Gr. iScfd-epdf, right, comparative forms (with 
cpmpar. suffix -ter = -repot) < L. dex- = Gr. deS-ioc,, 
right, fortunate, dexterous, = Skt. daksha, able, 
dexterous, strong (cf. dakshina, able, dexter- 
ous, right, south), = Goth, taihswa, right, tiiilin- 
wo, the right hand, = OHG. :eso (zetm*-), right, 
= \V. dehen, right, south, = Gael, and Ir. deas, 
right, south (cf. deasil), = OBulg. desinu, destti., 
right, desfnitsa, the right hand, = Buss, desnitsa, 
the right hand; referred to a root represent- 
ed by Skt. / dakali, suit, be able, dexterous, or 
strong.] I. a. Pertaining to or situated on the 
right hand; right, as opposed to left: as, the 
dexter side of a shield. 
My mother's blood 
Runs on the dexter cheek, and this sinister 
Bounds-in my father's. Shak., T. and C., iv. 5. 
On sounding wings a dexter eagle flew. Pojif. 
Dexter base, In her., the dexter side of the base of the 
Held. Dexter base point, In her., a point supposed to 
be half way between the base point and the dexter edge 
of the field. See cut under point. Dexter chief, in Ji'-r.. 
the dexter side of the chief of the field. Dexter chief 
point, In her., a point supposed to be half way between 
the chief point and the dexter edge of the field. .See cut 
under point. Dexter diagonal, In math. See diag- 
onal. 
II. . In her., that side of the shield which 
is toward the right when the shield is braced 
or fitted upon the arm; hence, the side of the 
fiolil toward I lie left of the spectator. 
' 
i.-sr, 
2. Manual skill; skill in using the hands, espe- 
cially in ini-cliaiiical or artistic: work; hence, 
physical suppleness or adroitness in general; 
llint readiness in action which jirocci-il-i iMnn 
experience or practice, united with activity or 
precision of motion. 
Dexterity of hand, even in common trades, cannot he 
acquired without much practice and experience. 
Ail n i n Smith, Wealth of Nations, i. 10. 
The company being seated round the genial hoard, 
and each furnished with a fork, evinced their dexterity in 
launching at the fattest pieces in this mighty dish. 
Irving, Knickerbocker, p. 109. 
The Tahitians have the dexterity of amphibious animals 
In the water. Darn-in, Voyage of Beagle, II. isi. 
3. Mental adroitness or skill; cleverness; 
promptness in devising expedients ; quickness 
and skill in managing or conducting a scheme 
of operations. 
I have dlspatch'd some half a Dozen Duns with as much 
Dexterity as a hungry Judge does Causes at Dinner-time. 
Congreve, Love for Love, i. 2. 
A thousand vexations . . . which nothing Is required 
to remove but a little dexterity of conduct. 
Johruon, Rambler, No. 137. 
Byhisincomparable dexterity, he [ Francis Sforza] raised 
him-, If from the precarious and dependent situation of a 
military adventurer to the first throne of Italy. 
Maeaulay, Machlavelli. 
= Syn. 3. Address, facility, faculty, tact, cleverness, apt- 
ness, aptitude, ability, art, knaek. 
dexterous, dextrous (deks'te-rus, deks'trus), 
a. [< L. dcslrr, right, ready (see dexter), + 
-otts.] 1. Having greater skill in using the 
right hand than the left ; right-handed. [Rare. ] 
2. Possessing manual skill; hence, skilful 
or adroit in the use of the body in general ; 
quick and precise in action. 
Whether the Muzlings were stoln by our own lien, or 
the Dutch, I cannot say ; for we had some very dextrous 
thieves in our Ship. Dumpier, Voyages, I. 629. 
For both their dext'roui hands the lance could wield. 
Pope. 
3. Having mental adroitness or skill ; ready 
in the use of tho mental faculties ; prompt in 
contrivance and management; clever; expert: 
as, a dexterous manager. 
The Coptis . . . are well acquainted with all affairs, are 
very dextrous at keeping accounts which they do in a 
sort of Coptic characters understood by no body else. 
Pococke, Description of the East, I. 176. 
The dexterous Capuchins never choose to preach on the 
life and n i i raeles of a saint, until they have aw akened the 
devotional feelings of their auditors by exhibiting some 
relic of him, a thread of his garment, a lock of his hair, 
or a drop of his blood. Macatilay. 
4. Exhibiting dexterity, in any sense; skilful; 
artful ; clever : as, dexterous management. 
Cnossus was also famous for its bows and arrows, and 
for a dextrous use of that sort of arms. 
Pocofke, Description of the East, II. i. 256. 
The dexterous use of plausible topics for recommending 
any opinion whatever to the favor of an audience. 
De Quincey, Style, Iv. 
= Syn. Expert, Skilfid, etc. (see adroit), nimble, brisk, 
agile. 
dey 
It is a curious fact that the -path,-- are rolled up indlf- 
fenntU either \l a \ ellll'l' ,/ l-tlally In 
adoitt equal nun 
: / /;,,'., /;,,' and /'<, ,/, 1883, p. 237. 
dextran, dextrane (deks'tran, -Iran), n. f< 
L. dextir, right, + -, -//.]" A gum found in 
unripe beet-root and in molasses, and formed, 
together with mannite, by the mucic fermen- 
tation of sugar. It is a white amorphous sub- 
stance readily soluble in water, and dextro- 
rotatory. It has the formula CgHjoOs. 
dextrert, ". See destrer. Chaucer. 
dextrine (deks'trin), n. [= F. dextrine, < L. ili-x- 
l/ 1', right, -f- -iiii'-.] The soluble or gummy mat- 
ters, haying tho general formula (CnHj O g )n, 
into which starch is convertible by diastase or 
by certain acids. It Is white, inipid, and without 
smell, and is remarkable for the extent to which it turns 
the plane of polarization to the right hand, whence its 
name. Its composition la the same as that of starch. By 
the action of hot diluted acids, or of an infusion of malt, 
dextrine is finally converted into grape-sugar. It is used 
as a snl,.-utute for gum arable in medicine and the arts. 
Also called gommeline, inoift gum, ttut'cli-ytuu, Britith 
ffunl, and Almce yum. 
dextrocardia (deks-tro-kftr'di-a), n. [NL., < 
L. dexter, right, + Gr. napAia = E. heart.] In 
terato!., a congenital condition in which the 
heart is turned toward the right instead of the 
left side. 
dextro-compound (deks'tro-kom'pound),n. [< 
L. dexter, right, -I- E. compound 1 .] In chem., a 
compound body which causes the plane of a 
ray of polarized light to rotate to the right. 
Dextrine, dextrose, tartaric acid, malic acid, 
and cinchonine are dextro-compounds. 
dextroglucose (deks'tro-glo'kos), n. [< L. 
dexter, right (see dextrose), + E. glucose.] Same 
as dextrose. 
dextrogyrate (deks-tro-ji'rat), a. [< L. dexter, 
rightj + gyratus, pp. of gurare, turn : see gyrate.] 
Causing to turn toward the right hand: as, a 
dextrogyrate crystal (that is, a crystal which in 
circular polarization turns the plane of polari- 
zation to the right). See polarization. Also 
dextrorotatory. 
If the analyzer has to be turned towards the right, so 
as to cause the colours to succeed each other In their 
natural order red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, 
violet the piece of quartz is called right-handed or dex- 
trogyrate. Boduxlt. 
dextrogyrous (deks-tro-ji'rus), a. [< L. dexter, 
right, + gyrus, a circle: see gyre.] Gyrating 
or circling to the right. 
dextrorotatory (deks-tro-ro'ta-to-ri), a. [< L. 
dexter, right, + E. rotatory.] "Same as dextro- 
gyrate. 
dextrorsal (deks-tr6r'sal), a. [< dextrorse + 
-/.] Same as dextrorse. 
dextrorse (deks-trors'), a. [< L. dextrorsum, un- 
cpntracted dextrororsum, -rerstim, toward the 
right, < dexter, right, + versus, versus, pp. of ror- 
tere, vertere, turn : see rertex, rortex, verse. Cf . 
xiiiiatrorsc.] Rising from right to left, as a 
trus-li j", ad"-' With dexterity ; expertly ; skil- 
fully; artfully; adroitly. 
The good parts lie hath he will learn to shew to the full, 
and use them dexterously. 
Bacon, Advancement of Learning, i. 96. 
dexterousness, dextrousness (deks't-rus-nes, 
deks'trus-nes), n. Dexterity ; adroitness. Bai- 
ley, 1727. 
dextrad (deks'trad), adv. [< L. dexter + -ad3, 
toward: see -ad 3 .] To the right hand ; to, on, 
or toward the right side ; dextrally: opposed to 
dextral (deks'tral), a. [< ML. dexteralis, "dex- 
tralix, on the right, < L. dexter, right : see dex- 
ter.] 1. Right, as opposed to left; right-hand. 
Any tunlcles or skins which should hinder the liver 
from enabling the dextral parts. 
Sir T. Browne, Vulg. Err., Iv. 5. 
2. In conch., dextrorse: applied to univalve 
shells whose aperture is on the right side when 
dexterity (deks-ter'i-ti), n. T= Y.dexUrite = the she11 is he ' d in front of the observer with 
Pg. drj-ii rtilmli = tk."degtfritiL< L. dextcrita( f-)., tne apex upward and the aperture downward 
' J *-- - -* -i-* -j-tii j , . . toward him: opposed to sin istral. Most shells 
are dextral. 
< dexter, right, right-hand: see dexter.] 1. 
Greater facility in using tho right hand than 
the left ; right-handedness. [Not in common 
use.] 
The proportion of left-hand drawings [of the cave-men 
of France) is grettljr in ex,, s*,,i what would now he found ; 
but there is still a distinct preponderance of the ri^lit 
hand, whieh. however originated, lias snthYed to deter- 
mine the universal duct, riti/ of the "hole hi-torie period. 
Xi-ii not, V. 4ii. 
Dexterity appears to be confined to the human nice for 
the monkey tribes use the right and left limbs indiscrimi- 
nately. Lancet. 
100 
dextrality (deks-tral'i-ti), n. [< dextral + 
-ity.] 1. The state of^beiug on the right side, 
as opposed to the left. 2. Superiority in 
strength and facility in action of the right side 
of the body ; right-handedness. 
Did not institution, but nature, determine i, 
there \ionld be many more ScKvolas than are delivered in 
tory. sir T. Browne, Vnln. Err., iv. 5. 
dextrally (deks'tral-i), adr. By or toward the 
right side, as opposed to the left; dextrad. 
Ham, Hooker, Darwin, firay, etc., use It as above de- 
nned. UmiHMis, Miami the De Candolles, and many others 
give it the opposite meaning.) 
dextrose (deks'tros), . [< L. dexter, right, + 
-ose.] A sugar (C 6 Hj 2 O 6 ) belonging to the 
glucose group, which crystallizes from aqueous 
solution with one molecule of water in nodular 
masses of six-sided scales. It is readily solvent In 
water and alcohol, has a taste less sweet than ordinary 
cane-sugar, and directly reduces alkaline copper solution. 
It is dextrorotatory to polarized light. Dextrose Is w jlely 
distributed, being found In most sweet units, grapes, 
raisins, cherries, etc., usually associated with levulose. 
It also occurs sparingly in various animal tissues and 
juices, and in excessive quantity in dlalwtic urine. Dex- 
trose is manufactured from starch in large quantity by the 
action of sulphuric acid. It is used for making cheap 
syrup, called glucose syrup, in the manufacture of beer, 
and for adulterating molasses. Also called dextroylucose, 
<iru jie-sitffttr, and starch-sugar. BiTOtatOry dextrose. 
See binii 
dextrotropous (deks - trot 'ro- pus), a. [< L. 
ill 'j-ler, right, + Gr. -rpmror, (cf. rpomi, a turning), 
< Tptveiv, turn.] Turning to the right : opposed 
to Iteotropous. Also dextrotropic. 
dextrous, dextrously, etc. SW dexterous, etc. 
deyH, . [ME. dey, dei/e, deie, date, a maid- 
servant (sometimes applied to a man-servant) 
about a farm, a milkmaid, < Icel. deigja, a 
maid-servant, . esp. a dairymaid, = Sw. deja. a 
dairymaid, = Norw. deigja, deia, deie, a maid- 
servant, usually in comp., as in bu-deigja, a 
maid in charge of the cattle (fru, household, 
farmstead, live stock), bakster-deigja, a baker 
(bakster, baking), rakster-deigja, a maid em- 
ployed in raking hay (rakster, raking), = ODan. 
deje, in comp. ma-lkedeje, milkmaid (maelke, 
