Dicranum 
Dicrattunt scofarium. 
a, plant, natural size ; 6, 
four bifid teeth of the peri- 
stotne, highly magnified! 
leaves with a strong costa. In this, as in allied genera, 
the teeth of the peristome are bifld to the middle (dicra- 
noid). 
dicrotal (di-kro'tal), a. Same as dicrotic. 
dicrotic (di-krot'ik), a. [< Gr. SinpoTOf, double- 
beating, < Si-, two-, double, + Kporoc, a rattling 
noise, beat, clash. ] 1 . Double-beating : applied 
to the pulse when for one heart-beat there are 
two arterial pulses as felt by the finger or shown 
by the sphygmograph. 2. Pertaining to a di- 
crotic pulse. Dicrotic notch, the notch in a sphyg- 
niogram preceding the dicrotic crest. See sphygmogram. 
Dicrotic wave or crest, (a) The second of the two 
large waves of a dicrotic pulse as traced in a sphygmo- 
gram. (&) The smaller corresponding crest or wave in 
pulses not dicrotic. 
dicrotism (dik'ro-tizm), n. [< dicrot-ic + -ism.'] 
The state of being dicrotic. 
This dicrottem, however, characterizes particularly sep- 
tic and typhoid types of fever. Med. News, LII. 401. 
dicrotous (dik'ro-tus), a. [< Gr. dinpoTOf, dou- 
ble-beating: see dicrotic.] Dicrotic. 
Dicrurida (di-kro'ri-de), n. pi. [NL., < Dicru- 
rus + -idee.] A large family of dentirostral os- 
cine passerine birds of Asia, the East Indies, 
etc. , and also of Africa ; the drongos or drongo- 
shrikes. They have comparatively slender bodies, a long 
forked tail, long rounded wings, a stout hooked bill with 
rictal vibrissas, small but stout feet, and mostly black or 
dark plumage and red eyes. The Dieruridce are not 
shrikes in the proper sense of that term, but rather crow- 
like birds of insectivorous nature and somewhat the habits 
of flycatchers. There are upward of 50 species. The lead- 
ing genera are : Dicmrus, of which Edolius is a synonym, 
chiefly Indian and East Indian, but with one African 
group of species ; Dissemurus, in which the length of 
the tail is at a maximum ; Bhringa, Chibia, Chaptia, and 
Melcenornis, the last African. The genus Irena is some- 
times brought under this family. The term Dicruridce is 
sometimes extended to the swallow-shrikes, Artamidce. 
Edoliidce or Edoliance is a synonym. See cut under drongo 
Dicrurinae (dl-kro-ri'ne), . pi [NL., < Dicru- 
rus + -i>ue.] The drongos as the typical sub- 
family of the Dicruridce, and containing all the 
family excepting Ireninas, or as a subfamily of 
some other family. 
Dicrunis (di-kro'rus), n. [NL.. lit. fork-tailed, 
< Gr. dwpof, shorter form of oinpovf, contr. of 
<5poof, forked (equiv. to Smpaiof, forked, cloven, 
and largest genus of Dicruridte; the drongos 
proper. The flnga or king-crow of Bengal, D. macrocer- 
CMS, is a typical example. The genus is often called 
Bhuchanga or Buchanga. Edolius also is a synonym 
but sometimes used for a section of the genus represented 
by the Madagascan E. forficatv*. Another section of the 
genus contains the singing drongos of Africa, as D. m-usi- 
cus. A section with the tail most deeply forncate is 
Dissemurus, containing such as the Indian bee-king D. 
yaradiseus. See drongo. 
diet (dikt), . [ME. dicte; < L. dictum, a thing 
said: see dictum.] A saying; a dictum. [Ar- 
chaic.] 
What, the old diet was true after all ? 
C. Beade, Cloister and Hearth, xxxvi. 
dicta, n. Plural of dictum. 
dictament (dik-ta'men), re. [< LL. ML. dicta- 
men,< L. dictare, prescribe, dictate : see dictate.] 
A dictate ; a precept ; an injunction. 
I must tell you (not out of mine own dictamen, but the 
author s) a good play is like a skein of silk ; which, if you 
take by the right end, you may wind off at pleasure. 
S. Jonson, Magnetick Lady, Ind. 
dictamentt (dik'ta-ment), n. [< ML. *Aicta- 
mentum, < L. dictare, dictate . see dictate. Cf . 
dictamen.] A dictate. 
If any followed, in the whole tenor of their lives the 
dwtaments of right reason. 
Sir K. Digby, On Browne's Religio Medici. 
Dictamnum (dik-tam'num). . Same as Dic- 
tamnus, 2, 
1602 
dictamnus (dik-tam'nus), n. [L., also dictam- 
num, < Gr. fitKTa/jvoc, 6'iKTafivov, also (5ra/tt>i>, dit- 
tany, a plant which grew on Mounts Dicte and 
Ida in Crete ; hence ult. E. dittany, q. v.] 1. A 
plant of the genus Dictamnus. -2. [cap.] [NL.] 
A genus of rutaceous plants, of a single spe- 
cies, D. dibits, the fraxmella or dittany, a na- 
tive of southern Europe and central Asia. It is 
an old inhabitant of country gardens, cultivated for its 
showy flowers, which are of various colors, and for its 
fragrance. The whole plant is covered with glands which 
secrete an oil so volatile that in hot weather the air about 
the plant becomes inflammable. 
dictanumt (dik-ta'num), n. Dictamnus; dit- 
tany. 
The Hart, beeing perced with the dart, runneth out of 
hand to the hearb Dictanum, and is healed. 
Lyly, Euphues, Anat. of Wit, p. 61. 
dictate (dik'tat), v. ; pret. and pp. dictated, ppr. 
dictating. [< L. dictatus, pp. of dictare (> It. 
dettare, dittare = Sp. Pg. Pr. dictar = F. die- 
ter, > D. dicteren = G. dictircn = Dan. diktere 
= Sw. diktera), say often, pronounce, declare, 
dictate (to another for writing), prescribe, or- 
der ; freq. of dicere, pp. dictus, say: see diction.] 
1. trans. 1. To declare or prescribe with au- 
thority ; direct or command positively, as being 
right, necessary, or inevitable: as, conscience 
dictates truthfulness and fair dealing ; to dictate 
a course of conduct, or terms of surrender. 
I hope God hath given me ability to be master of my 
own passion, and endowed me with that reason that will 
dictate unto me what is for my own good and benefit. 
Stale Trials, Lt.-Col. Lilburne, an. 1649. 
The conduct of life [in Russia] was dictated to the citi- 
zens at large in the same way as to soldiers. 
H. Spencer, Prin. of Sociol., 558. 
2. To be the determining cause or motive of ; 
fix or decide positively or unavoidably : as, ne- 
cessity dictated the abandonment of the ship; 
his conduct is dictated by false pride. 
I find his present prosecution was dictated by tyranny, 
cowardice, and revenge. Goldsmith, Vicar, xxxi. 
3. To express orally for another to write down ; 
give utterance or form to, as something to be 
written : as, to dictate a letter to a clerk. 
The mind which dictated the Iliad. Wayland. 
= Svn. 1. To command, prescribe, enjoin, require. 
H. intrans. To practise dictation; act or 
speak dictatorially ; exercise controlling or ar- 
bitrary authority; assume a dictatorial, dog- 
matic, or commanding attitude. 
A woman dictates before marriage in order that she may 
have an appetite for submission afterward. 
George Eliot, Jliddlemarch, I. 80. 
From the compulsory saintship and cropped hair of the 
Puritans men rushed or sneaked, as their temperaments 
dictated, to the opposite cant of sensuality and a wilder- 
ness of periwig. Lowell, Study Windows, p. 393. 
dictate (dik'tat), n. [= D. dictaat = G. dictat 
= Dan. diktat, a dictate, = OF. dicte, dite, m., 
a dictation, F. dictee, f., dictation (see ditty), = 
Sp. Pg. dictado = It. dittato, dettato. < L. dicta- 
turn, usually in pi. dictata, what is dictated, 
neut. pp. of dictare : see dictate, v. Cf. dight, in- 
dict, indite, ult. < L. dictare.] 1. A positive 
order or command; an authoritative or con- 
trolling direction. 
Those right helps of art which will scarce be found by 
those who servilely confine themselves to the dictates of 
others. Locke. 
Besides his duties at Westminster, he must attend to 
his constituents, must show himself among them from 
time to time, and must be ever ready to listen to com- 
plaints, suggestions, or even dictates. 
Fortnightly Ret., N. S., XXXIX. 205. 
2. An authoritative rule, maxim, or precept; 
a guiding principle: as, the dictates of con- 
science or of reason. 
The Laws of well-doing are the dictates of right Reason. 
Booker, Eccles. Polity, i. 7. 
I credit what the Grecian dictates say. Prior. 
This is an obvious dictate of our common sense. 
H. James, Subs, and Shad., p. 97. 
It was, or it seemed, the dictate of trade to keep the 
negro down. Emerson, West Indian Emancipation. 
3f. Dictation. [Rare.] 
Many bishops . . . might be at Phillippi, and many 
were actually there, long after St. Paul's dictate of the 
epistle. Jer. Taylor, Works (ed. 1836), II. 183. 
4f. That which is dictated ; a dictated utter- 
ance. 
The public prayers of the people of God, in churches 
thoroughly settled, did never use to be voluntary dictates 
proceeding from any man's extemporal wit. 
Hooker, Eccles. Polity, v, 25. 
= Syn. 1 and 2. Injunction, admonition, 
dictature 
dictation (dik-ta'shon), n. [< LL. dictatto(n-'), 
< L. dictare, pp. dictatus, dictate: see dictate.] 
1. The act or practice of dictating, directing, 
or prescribing : as, he wrote the passage at the 
teacher's dictation. 
What heresies and prodigious opinions have been set 
on foot, . . . under the pretence of the dictation and 
warrant of God's Spirit ! Bp. Hall, Remains, p. 148. 
2. Authoritative command or control ; positive 
or arbitrary prescription, direction, or order : 
as, his dictation brought affairs into great con- 
fusion. 
If either of those two powers [France and Spain] had 
disarmed, it would soon have been compelled to submit 
to the dictation of the other. Macaulay. 
=Syn. Injunction, prescription, direction. 
dictator (dik-ta'tor), n. [= F. dictateur= Sp. 
Pg. dictador = It. dettatore, dittatore = D. G. dic- 
tator = Dan. Sw. diktator = Gr. OIKTO.TUP, < L. 
dictator, a commander, dictator, < dictare, pp. 
dictatus, command, dictate: see dictate.] 1. A 
person possessing unlimited powers of govern- 
ment; an absolute ruler. In ancient Rome dicta- 
tors were appointed in times of exigency and distress for 
a term of six months ; and there were also dictators with 
powers limited to specific acts. In later times usurpers 
have often made themselves dictators, and dictatorial 
powers have been expressly conferred. The rulers of Para- 
guay bore the title of dictator for many years, and those 
of several other Spanish-American countries have done so 
for longer or shorter periods. 
Government must not be a parish clerk, a justice of the 
peace. It has, of necessity, in any crisis of the state, the 
absolute powers of a Dictator. 
Emerson, Amer. Civilization. 
All classes have had to submit to that sort of authority 
which assumed its most innocent shape in the office of 
the Roman Dictator, its most odious in the usurpation of 
the Greek Tyrant. 
Maine, Early Hist, of Institutions, p. 84. 
2. A person invested with or exercising abso- 
lute authority of any kind; one who assumes 
to control or prescribe the actions of others; 
one who dictates. 
Unanimous, they all commit the care 
And management of this main enterprise 
To him, their great dictator. Milton, P. R., i. 113. 
The great dictator of fashions. Pope. 
dictatorial (dik-ta-to'ri-al), a. [= F. dictato- 
rial; as dictatory '+ -al.] 1. Pertaining to a 
dictator; absolute; unlimited. 
Military powers quite dictatorial. 
Irving. 
2. Pertaining to or characteristic of dictation ; 
imperious; overbearing; dogmatic. 
The disagreeable effect that accompanies a tone in- 
clined to be dictatorial. Disraeli, Coningsby, iv. 4. 
I have just read yours of the 19th inst. If there be per- 
ceptible in it an impatient and dictatorial tone, I waive 
it in deference to an old friend whose heart I have always 
supposed to be right. Lincoln, in Raymond, p. 210. 
= Syn. Authoritative, Doffmatic, etc. See magisterial. 
dictatorially (dik-ta-to'ri-al-i), adv. In a dic- 
tatorial or commanding manner ; dogmatically. 
These are strong statements ; they are made dictatorial- 
It/, because want of space forbids anything but assertion. 
JT. A. Rev., CXXVI. 478. 
dictatorialness (dik-ta-to'ri-al-nes), n. The 
quality or state of being dictatorial. 
A spirit of arrogance and contemptuous dictatorialness. 
George Eliot, in Cross, III. 212. 
dictatoriant (dik-ta-to'ri-an), a. [< dictatory 
+ -an.] Dictatorial. 
A dictatorian power, more accommodate to the first pro- 
duction of things. Sir M. Hale, Orig. of Mankind, p. 347. 
dictatorship (dik-ta'tor-ship), n. [< dictator 
+ -ship.] 1. The office or dignity of a dicta- 
tor; the term of a dictator's office. 
This is the solenmest title they can confer under the 
princedom, being indeed a kind of dictatorship. 
Sir II. Wotton. 
2. Absolute authority; dogmatism. 
This is that perpetual dictatorship which is exercised by 
Lucretius, though often in the wrong. Dryden. 
dictatoryt (dik'ta-to-ri), a. [= Sp. Pg. dicta- 
torio, < L. dicta torius, of or belonging to a dic- 
tator^ dictator, a dictator: see dictator.] Dic- 
tatorial. 
Our English, the language of men ever famous and fore- 
most in the achievements of liberty, will not easily find 
servile letters enow to spell such ndictatory presumption 
Englished. Milton, Areopagitiea. 
dictatress (dik-ta'tres), re. [< dictator + -ess.] 
A female dictator; a woman who commands 
arbitrarily and irresponsibly, 
dictatrix (dik-ta'triks), n. [L., fern, of dictator: 
see dictator.] Same as dictatress. 
dictaturet (dik-ta'tur), n. [= F. dictature = 
Sp. Pg. dictadura = It. dettatura, dittatimi = D. 
dictatuur = G. dictatur = Dan. Sw. diktatur, < 
lj. dii-tatura, < dictare, pp. dictatus, dictate: see 
dictator, dictate.] Dictatorship, 
