dime 
novel, a story printed In u cheap form, and usually sold 
for u (lime : applied especially to MDMtkond literature. 
[U.S.] 
Dimecodon (di-me'ko-don), n. [NL., < Or. it-, 
two-, + UIJKIM;, length, + oa&v, Ionic for Mouf = 
K. tooth.] A notable genus of Japanese moles, 
of the family Talpidie, related to Urotrichus, 
having teeth of two lengths (whence the name), 
and the anterior incisors broad and spatulate. 
The dental formula is: ;i incisors in inch upper, -' in each 
lower half-jaw, 1 canine, 3 premolars, aiul ;i molars in each 
half-jaw. The type-species is D. pUiruntrix, having the 
general aspect of Urotric-hus talptndfs ; tail vertebne half 
the length of the head and body, soles and palms entirely 
scah . ami snout pilose. Originally misspelled l}it/i<<'''<i<l">i- 
/'. '. Trii,-, 1886. 
dimension (di-men'shon), . [< OF. dimension, 
F. dimension = I'r. dimencio = Sp. dimension = 
Pg. dimcnsSo = It. dimensions = D. dimensic = 
Gr. Dan. Sw. dimension, (. L. dimensio(n-), a mea- 
suring, extent, dimension, diameter or axis, < 
ditnetiri, pp. dimensus, measure off, measure out 
(of, ppr. dimetien(t-)s, as a noun, diameter), < 
di- for <to-, apart, + metiri, measure: see mea- 
sure.] 1. Magnitude measured along a diam- 
eter; the measure through a body or closed 
figure along one of its principal axes ; length, 
breadth, or thickness. Thus, a line has one dimen- 
sion, length ; a plane surface two, length and breadth ; 
and a solid three, length, breadth, and thickness. Thu 
number of dimensions being equal to the number of prin- 
cipal axes, and that to the number of independent direc- 
tions of extension, it has become usual, in mathematics, 
to express the number of ways of spread of a figure by 
saying that it has two, three, or n dimensions, although 
the idea of measurement is quite extraneous to the fact 
expressed. The word generally occurs in the plural, re- 
ferring to length, breadth, and thickness. 
So doe those sklls, whose quick eyes doe explore 
The just dimension both of earth and heaven. 
Sir J. Davits, Dancing, st. 95. 
A dark 
Illimitable ocean, without bound, 
Without dimension, where length, breadth, and highth, 
And time, and place, are lost. Milton, P. L., li. 893. 
These as a line their long dimension drew, 
Streaking the ground with sinuous trace. 
Hilton, P. L., vii. 480. 
Hence 2. A mode of linear magnitude in- 
volved (generally along with others) in the 
quantity to which it belongs, (a) In alu., a vari- 
anle factor, the number of dimensions of an expression 
being the number of variable factors in that term for 
which this number is the largest. (6) In phy*., a linear 
measure of length, time, mass, or any kind of quantity 
regarded as a fundamental factor of the quantity of which 
it is a dimension. If M, L, T, arc the units of mass, 
length, and time, the diiiutnsions of a velocity are said to 
be LT S or one dimension of length and minus one of 
time ; those of an acceleration are said to be LT ; those 
of a momentum, MLT * ; those of a force, MLT a ; those 
of a quantity of energy, ML"T * ; those of the action of a 
moving system, ML 8 T ; those of a horse-power, ML a T 3 ; 
those of a pressure, ML 'T * ; those of a density, ML 3 ; 
etc. 
We are justified in considering the range, the flat pen- 
cil, and the axial pencil, as of the same dimensions, since 
to every point in the first corresponds one ray in the 
second and one plane in the third. 
Cretnona, Projective Geometry (tr. by Leuesdorf). 
3. Bulk; size; extent or capacity : commonly 
in the plural : as, the question is assuming great 
dimension!*. 
The shapely limb and lubricated joint, 
\Vithin the small dimensions of a point. 
Cou'per, Retirement. 
In lUiin-nxiiui. and the shape of nature. 
A gracious person. Shak., T. N., i. 5. 
My friend's dimensions &s near as possible approximate 
to mine. Lamb, Bachelor's Complaint. 
4f. That which has extension; matter; espe- 
cially, the human body and its organs: so often 
in the plural. 
A spirit I am, indeed : 
I'.nt am in that tlhn,*imit>n grossly clad, 
Which from the womb I did participate. 
Shot., 1. N., v. 1. 
Why bastard ? wherefore base ? 
When my dimension* are as well compact, 
My mind as generous, and my shape as true 
As honest madam's issue? Shak., Lear, i. 2. 
Method of dimensions, a method of treating some dy- 
inimical and other problems, by considering only the di- 
mensions of the different quantities, not their magnitudes, 
dimension (di-meu'shon), c. t. [< dimension, n.] 
To measure the dimensions of ; proportion. 
[Bare.] 
I propose to break and enliven it by compartments in 
colours, according to tho enclosed sketch, which you must 
adjust and tliiiii-iuimt. \\'<<lixtle. Letters, I. 335. 
dimensional (di-men'shon-al), . [< dimnmon 
+ -a?.] 1. Pertaining to extension in space; 
having a dimension or dimensions; measurable 
in one or more directions : used in composition : 
us, a line is a one-diiii<'iixi<ni<it. a surface a frwo- 
dimfimionitl. mid a solid a UlNA-dflMMfMMl ob- 
ject. 2. Relating to dimension; as, a dimi-n- 
sional equation, 
dimensionality (di-incn-Hhon-ari-ti), . [< di- 
ini-nniiin + -ality.} The number of dimensions 
of a quantity. 
dimensioned (di-mon'shond), . [< dimension 
+ -aft.] Having dimensions. [Rare.] 
A mantle purple-ting'd, and radiant vest, 
hi in- a ''"-n -I 'in.il to his size. Pope, Odyssey, xix. 
dimensionless (di-mon'shon-les), a. [< din/in 
sion + -less.] Without dimensions or bulk. 
Their prayers 
l'l< \> up, nor miss'd the way: ... in they pass'd 
Diinensionless through heavenly doors. 
Milton, P. I., xi. 17. 
dimension-lumber (di-men'shon-lum'ber), n. 
Lumber cut to specified sizes, 
dimension-work (di-men'shon-werk), n. Ma- 
sonry consisting of stones whose dimensions 
are fixed by specification, 
dimensityt (di-men'si-ti), n. [Irreg. < L. di- 
mensus, pp. of dimetiri (see dimension), after 
/mint unity.'] Dimension ; extent ; capacity. 
Of the smallest stars in sky 
We know not the dimensity. 
II '.n .11, Letters, iv. 44. 
dimensivet (di-men'siv), a. [< L. dimensus, 
pp. (see dimension), + -.] Diametral; per- 
taining to the principal axes of a body or figure. 
All iKMlies have their measure and their space, 
But whocau draw the soule's dinunsi lines.' 
Sir J. Dariet, Nosce Teipsum, st. 88. 
dimensum (di-men'sum), n. [< ML. dimensum 
(neut. of L. dimensus, pp. of dimetiri, measure 
out: see dimension), equiv. to L. demensum, a 
measured allowance, ration (of slaves), neut. 
of dentensus, pp. of demetiri, measure out, mea- 
sure, < de, down, + metiri, measure: see mea- 
sure.] A portion measured out ; a dole. 
You are to blame to use the poor dumb Christians 
So cruelly, defraud 'em of their diine.ntntin. 
B. Joitson, New Inn, Hi. 1. 
Dimera (dim'e-rS), it. u!. [NL., neut. pi. of 
dimerus: see dimerous.'} 1. A group of coleop- 
terous insects. Latreille, 1807. 2. A division 
of hemipterous insects in which the tarsi are 
two-jointed, as in the Aphididx and Psyllidce, or 
plant-lice. The group was formerly a section of Ho- 
inoptera ; it corresponds to the modern group Fhytuph- 
thiria, excepting the Coccidce or scale-insects, whose tarsi 
are one-jointed. Westwood, 1840. 
dimeran (dim'e-ran), a. and n. [< Dimera + 
-an.] I. a. Pe'rtaining to or having the char- 
acters of the Dimera. 
II. H. One of the Dimera. 
dimerism (dim'e-rizm), it. [< dimcr-ous + -ism.] 
An arrangement of floral organs in which there 
are two of each kind ; the quality of being dim- 
erous. 
dimerli, it. A corn-measure of Rumania, equal 
to 24.6 liters, or a little less than 3 United 
States pecks. 
Dimerosomata (dim'e-ro-so'ma-ta), t. pi. 
[NL., neut. pi. of * dimerosomatus: see dimero- 
somatous.] An order of pulmonary arachni- 
dans, corresponding to the Araneides of La- 
treille, and containing the true spiders or Ara- 
neida, as distinguished from the Polymerosomata 
or scorpions, etc. : so called from the marked 
division of the body into two regions, cephalo- 
thorax and abdomen. W. E. Leach. 
dimerosomatous (dim'e-ro-som'a-tus), a. [< 
NL. 'dimerosomatus, < (Jr. Siucpfa, in two parts 
(see dimerous), + aiJ[ta(T-), body.] Having the 
body divided into cephalothorax and abdomen, 
as a spider; specifically, pertaining to or hav- 
ing the characters of the Dimerosomata. 
dimerous (dim'e-rus), a. [< NL. dimerus, < Gr. 
r, divided' into two parts, < at-, two-, + 
a part.] 1. Con- 
sisting of or divided 
into two parts; bipar- 
tite. Specifically 2. In 
hot., having -two mem- 
bers in each whorl : said 
of flowers. Sometimes 
written by botanists 2- 
merous. 3. In entom., 
having two-join ted tarsi; 
specifically, pertaining st- 
to the Dimera. Dime- 
rous thorax, one in which 
the mesothorax and meta- 
thorax are closely united, but 
the prothorax is distinct, as in 
most Cl?i*i>tera. 
dimetallic (dl-rne-tal'ik), 
a. [< di- 2 + metallic.] 
. . Dimerous Flower (Ctrttta} 
In Cliem., Containing tWO and diagram of same, 
atoms Of a metallic ele- . bract! /.sepals; A petals; 
st, st, stamens ; o, twtxctled 
ovary. 
rlimlnigh 
dimeter (dim'e-ter), a. and . [< tir. Mutrpof, < 
ii-, two-, + ut-r/iov, a measure.] I. a. In pros., 
consisting of two measures ; divisible into two 
feet or dipodies. 
II. n. In pros., a verse or period consisting 
of two feet or dipodies: as, an Ionic dinniif; 
iambic ilnm /< / , 
dimethylaniline (di-meth-i-lan'i-lin), n. [< 
di-V + mrthyl + iiniliiii:] Ail oily liquid. <', ; 
H B N(CHo)2, obtained by heating aniline with 
methyl alcohol and hydrochloric acid, it tulldl- 
flea at 4r V., and forms liquid salts with acids. It U a 
base from which certain dyes are prepared. 
dimetric (di-met'rik), a. [< Gr. *-, two-, + 
uiTpov, a measure, + -ic. See dimeter.] In 
crystal. , having the vertical axis longer or snort- 
er than the two equal lateral axes, as the square 
octahedron. Dimetric system. See tetrayunal. 
dimicationt (dim-i-ka'shon), n. [< L. dimirti- 
tio(n-), a fight, < dimicare, pp. dimicatus, fight, 
lit. brandish (one's weapons against the enemy), 
< di-, dis- (intensive) + micare, move quickly 
to and fro, shake, vibrate, flash.] A battle or 
fight; contest; the act of fighting. Johnxmi. 
Let us now be not more sparing of our tears, to wash 
off the memory of these our unbrotherly dimications. 
Dp. Hall, Mystery of Godliness. 
dimidiate (di-mid'i-at), v. t. ; pret. and pp. di- 
midiated, ppr. dimidiating. [< L. dimidiatus, 
>]>. of (LL.) dimidiare, halve, < dimidius, adj., 
Humiliate Ca- 
lyptraidef. *). 
midiated, ppr. dimidiating, [< L. dimidialux, 
pp. of (LL.) i" 
half, neut. dimidium, a half (>ult. demi-, q. v~), 
< di-, dis-, apart, + medius, middle: see middle, 
medium.] To divide into two equal parts, in 
ti-' i-.: (a) To cut in halves, showing only one half. Thus, 
when a shield bearing a lion is impaled with a shield bear- 
ing a chevron, these bearings may be each represented in 
full in the half shield, or each bearing may be dimidiated 
that is, one half of the lion and one half of the chevron 
only shown. This, however, is liable to lead to confusion, 
and is rare. (&) To cut off a part, as a half or nearly so, 
from any l>earfng. Thus, a sword dintidiated would show 
the hilt and half of the blade only, and would appear as if 
the other half bad been cut away. 
dimidiate (di-mid'i-at), a. [< L. dimidiatus, 
pp. : see the verb.] Divided into two equal 
parts; halved; hence, half the usual 
size, or half as large as something 
else. Specifically (a) In M. and entom., 
having, as an organ, one part so much 
smaller than the other as to appear to be 
missing, or altogether wanting. (6) split 
into two on one side, as the calyptra of some 
mosses, (e) In zool. and anat., representing 
or represented by only one half ; one-sided : 
>1 icci lical ly applied to cases of herniaphro- 
ditism in which the organism is male on 
one side of the liody and female on the 
other. See hermaphroditism. 
Insects, like crustaceans, are occasion- 
ally subject to one-sided or dimidiate hcrmaphroditism. 
Oven, Anat. 
(d) In her., reduced or diminished by half. Dimidiate 
elytra, in entnm., elytra which cover but half of the ab- 
domen. Dimidiate fascia, line, etc., in fntom., one 
which traverses half of a wing or elytron, or extends half- 
way round a part, as the antennee. 
dimidiation (di-mid-i-a'shon), . [< LL. di- 
midiatio(n-), < dimidiare, halve: see dimidiate, 
r.] The act of halving; division into two equal 
parts ; the state of being halved. 
The earliest system of impalement was by dimidiation : 
that is, by cutting two shields in half, and placing together 
the dexter half of one and the sinister half of the other, 
and thus forming a single couipftsition. 
C. Boutell, Heraldry, p. 220. 
Dimidiation formula, an expression for the sine, etc., 
of the half of an angle in terms of similar functions of the 
angle itaelf. 
dimilancet, n. Same as demi-lance. 
dimin. An abbreviation of diminuendo. 
diminish (di-min'ish), r. [Earlymod. E., with 
suffix -s/|2 (after minish), for ME. diminuen, < 
F. dimiiiucr = Pr. diminuir, diminuar, demenir 
= Sp. Pg. diminuir = It. diminuire, < ML. di- 
minuere, a common but incorrect form of L. 
ill mi a in i-r. make smaller, lessen, diminish, < de, 
from, + minuere, lessen, make small, < minus, 
less: see minus, minish, minute. L. diminuere 
(ordimminuere)mea,ns 'break in to small pieces,' 
< di-, dis-, apart, asunder, + minuere, make 
small.] I. trans. 1. To lessen; make or seem 
to make less or smaller by any means ; reduce : 
opposed to increase and augment: as. to dimin- 
ish a number by subtraction; to diminish the 
revenue by reducing the customs. 
The passions are inflamed by sympathy; the fear of 
punishment and the sense of shame are diminished by 
partition. Xacaulay, Hallam s Const. Hist 
Concave glasses are called diminishing glasses. 
Lommel, Light (trans.), p. 89. 
2. To lower in power, importance, or estima- 
tion ; degrade ; belittle ; detract from. 
I will flintini*h them, that they shall no more rule over 
the nations. Ezck. xxix. 1&. 
