The o' 
and is co: 
distributional 
tion; specifically, in zoiiyeog., of or pertaining 
to the geographical distribution of animals; 
chorological. 
The orang has the smallest distributional area, being 
confined to the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. 
Huxley, Anat. Vert., p. 403. 
distributionist (dis-tri-bu'shon-ist), n. [< dis- 
tribution + -ist.] One who advocates or pro- 
motes distribution; a believer in distribution. 
[Rare.] 
The distributionists trembled, for their popularity was 
at stake. . . . The popularity of the distribution society 
among the ladies of our parish is unprecedented. 
Dickens, Sketches, Ladies' Societies. 
distributival (dis-trib-u-ti'val or dis-trib'u-ti- 
val), a. [< distributive, n., -i 1 -al] In gram., 
of or pertaining to a distributive ; of the nature 
of a distributive. 
distributive (dis-trib'u-tiv), a. and n. [= F. 
distributif = Pr. distributiu = Sp. Pg. It. dis- 
tributivo, < LL. distributivus (in grammatical 
sense), < L. distributus, pp. of distribuere, dis- 
tribute: see distribute.] I. a. 1. That distrib- 
utes ; dividing and assigning in portions ; deal- 
ing to each his proper share. 
>ther part of justice is commonly called distributive, 
ommanded in this rule, " Bender to all their dues. " 
Jer. Taylor, Holy Living, iii., Pref. 
The plain foundations of a distributive justice, and due 
order in thia world, may lead us to conceive a further 
building. Shaftesbury, in Fowler's Shaf tesbury and 
[Hutcheson, p. 111. 
Specifically 2. In logic, showing that a state- 
ment refers to each individual of a class sepa- 
rately, and not to these individuals as making 
up the whole class. The distributive acceptation of 
such an adjective as all is that in which whatever is said 
of all is said of each: opposed to collective acceptation, 
in which something is said of the whole which is not true 
of the parts. Thus, in the sentence "All the planets are 
seven," the all is collective; in the sentence "All the planets 
revolve round the sun," it is distributive. 
3. Expressing separation or division : as, a dis- 
tributive prefix: specifically, in gram., used to 
denote the persons or things that constitute a 
pair or number, as considered separately and 
singly: as, a distributive pronoun , a distributive 
numeral . The distributive pronouns in English are each, 
every, either, neither. The distributive numerals in Latin 
are singuli, one by one, one each ; bini, by twos, two each ; 
terni, three each, etc. 
4. In math., operating upon every part in oper- 
ating upon the whole Distributive finding of 
the Issue, In law, an issue found by a jury which is in part 
for the plaintiff and in part for the defendant. Distribu- 
tive formula, in math., a formula which expresses that 
two operations, as F and *, are so related that, for all values 
of x, y, z, etc., we have 
F * (x, y, z, etc.) = * (Fa;, Fy, Fz, etc.). 
In a more general sense, every formula which expresses 
that the operations/, F, , are so related that in every case 
F (x, y) = f(i>x, *i/). Distributive function, in math. , 
a function such that f (x + y) = tx + fy. Distributive 
operation, in math., an operation subject to a distribu- 
tive formula. Distributive principle, in math., a rule 
expressed by a distributive formula. 
II. n. In gram., a w6rd that divides or dis- 
tributes, as each and every, which represent the 
individuals of a collective number as separate. 
distributively (dis-trib'u-tiv-li), adv. By dis- 
tribution; singly; not collectively; in a dis- 
tributive sense. 
When an universal term is taken dittributimly, some- 
times it includes all the individuals contained in its in- 
ferior species : as when I say, every sickness has a ten- 
dency to death, I mean every individual sickness, as well 
as every kind. Watts, Logic, ii. 2. 
Distributively satisfied composite relation, one of 
which no factor is wholly unsatisfied. 
distributiveness (dis-trib'u-tiv-nes), n. 1. De- 
sire of distributing; generosity. [Rare.] 
A natural distributiveness of humour, and a desire to be 
employed in the relief of every kind of want of every per- 
son. Bp. Fell, Hammond, 2. 
2. In math., the fact of operating upon every 
part in operating upon the whole ; the being 
subject to a distributive formula, 
distributor (dis-trib'u-tor), n. [< OF. distribu- 
our, distribueur = F. distributeur = Pr. Sp. Pg. 
distribuidor = It. distribuitore, distributor, < LL. 
distributor, < L. distribuere, distribute : see dis- 
tribute.] Same as distributer. 
The suppression of unnecessary distributors and other 
parasites of industry. J. s. Mill, Socialism. 
. distrikt, < ML. dis- 
trictus, a district within which the lord may 
distrain, also jurisdiction, < L. districtus, pp. o"f 
distringere, draw asunder, compel, distrain: see 
distrain.] 1 . A limited extent of country mark- 
ed off for a special purpose, administrative, 
1698 
political, etc.; a circuit or territory within 
which may be exercised or to which are limited 
certain rights or powers ; any portion of land 
or country, or any part of a city or town, which 
is denned by law or agreement, in British India 
and in various European countries a district is a subdivi- 
sion of a province. In reference to political divisions in 
the United States, it generally imports that the inhabitants 
act together for some one specific purpose : as, a highway 
district; a school district; an election district (as a senate, 
assembly, or congressional district). In some States the 
term is applied to a class of towns. In South Carolina, 
during most of the period from 1768 to 1868, the chief sub- 
division of the State (excepting the coast region) was called 
a district, instead of a county as in the other States. In 
Virginia and West Virginia the chief subdivision of a 
county is called a magisterial district, with reference to the 
organization of local justice. In Tennessee it is called a 
civil district ; in Kentucky, a justice's district; in Georgia, a 
militia district ; in Maryland, an election district. In other 
States these divisions are called lawns or townships. In co- 
lonial and provincial Massachusetts the district was a part 
set off from a town and made independent of it in respect 
to local administration, but not in respect to choosing a rep- 
resentative to the General Court. In the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church the district is a territorial subdivision of a 
conference, comprising a number of churches and societies, 
under the charge of a presiding elder. A military district 
of a country is a division of a military territorial depart- 
ment. The federal territory containing the national capi- 
tal is called the District of Columbia. Abbreviated dist. 
Even the decrees of general councils bind not but as they 
are accepted by the several churches in their respective dis- 
tricts and dioceses, of which I am to give an account in the 
following periods. Jer. Taylor, Diss. from Popery, I. ii. 1. 
2. A region in general; a territory within defi- 
nite or indefinite limits : as, the district of the 
earth which lies between the tropics, or that 
which is north of a polar circle ; the districts of 
Russia covered by forest District attorney, an 
officer appointed to act as attorney for the people or gov- 
ernment within a specified district. District confer- 
ence. See conference, 2. District court, a court of lim- 
ited jurisdiction having cognizance of causes within a dis- 
trict denned by law. District court martial. See 
court martial, under court. District school, a public or 
free school for the inhabitants of a specified district. 
Metropolitan district, a title used in a few instances (as 
in the territory collectively known as London, in England, 
with its suburbs) for a division of country, including a 
chief city, denned by statute for the purposes of govern- 
ment and municipal regulation, such as for supervision in 
respect to fires, health, police, etc. Mining district, a 
settlement of miners organized after the plan which, in 
the first years of mining in the westernmost part of the 
United States, the miners, in independence of all other 
authority, devised for their own self-government. Parish 
district, in England, a division of a parish for general 
ecclesiastical purposes. Taxing district, in the United 
States, the territory or region into which (for the purpose 
of assessment merely) a State, county, town, or other po- 
litical district is divided. H. H. Emmons. United States 
district courts, the lowest courts of the federal judicial 
system, having jurisdiction chiefly in admiralty, bank- 
ruptcy, and criminal matters. = Syn. Division, quarter, 
locality, province, tract. 
district (dis'trikt), v. t. [< district, n.] To di- 
vide into districts or limited portions of terri- 
tory: as, in the United States, States are dis- 
tricted for the choice of certain officers; coun- 
ties or towns are districted for the maintenance 
of schools, etc. 
district! (dis'trikt), a. [< L. districtus, pp. of 
distringere, draw asunder, stretch tight: see 
distrain, and district, n."] Stringent; rigorous; 
strict. 
They should not inforce nor compell the citizens . . . 
to more difficult or district proofes of their Articles of 
complaints. HakluyVs Voyages, I. 165. 
Punishing with the rod of district senerity. 
Foxe, Martyrs, p. 782. 
districtlyt (dis'triktrli), adv. In a stringent 
manner; stringently; rigorously. 
We send our mandats againe vnto your brotherhood, in 
these apostolical writings, districtlie and in virtue of obedi- 
ence commanding you. Quoted in Foxe's Martyrs, p. 218. 
distrifet, n. [ME., appar. irreg. < dis- + strife.] 
Strife; contention. 
For he wolde not haue in no wise distrif be-twene hem 
two. Merlin (E. E. T. S.), iii. 636. 
distringas (dis-tring'gas), n. [Law L., 2d pers. 
sing. subj. pres., with impv. meaning, of ML. 
distringere, distrain: see distrain.'] In law: 
(a) A process, now little used, directing the 
sheriff to distrain or make distress that is, 
to seize and withhold the goods of the person 
sought to be coerced. It was used to compel a de- 
fendant to appear ; also, after judgment for plaintiff in 
an action of detinue, to compel the defendant, by repeated 
distresses of his goods, to give up the chattel detained. 
(6) A process commanding the sheriff to bring 
in the bodies of jurors who did not appear, or 
to distrain their lands and goods, (c) A pro- 
cess in equity against a body corporate refus- 
ing to obey the summons and direction of the 
court, (d) An order of chancery, in favor of 
a party claiming to be interested in any stock 
in the Bank of England, by which a notice is 
served on the bank directing its officers not to 
disturb 
permit its transfer, or not to pay any dividend 
on it. 
distrix (dis'triks), n. [NL., appar. irreg. < Gr. 
<5/f, &-, two-, + Bpit; (rpix-), hair.] Forky hair ; 
a disease of the hair in which it splits at the 
end. Thomas, Med. Diet, 
distroublet (dis-trub'l), v. t. [< ME. distroublen, 
distroblen, destroblen, also distourWen, distur- 
blen, trouble, disturb, < OF. *destourble-r (cf. des- 
tourblier, desturblier, destoublier, trouble, vexa- 
tion, = Pr. desturbelhar), var. of destourbier, 
destorbinr, desturbier, equiv. to destourber, des- 
torber, desturber, > ME. destourben, disturbcn, 
disturb, trouble, after OF. tourbler, trobler, tur- 
bkr, > ME. troublen, trouble: see disturb and 
trouble.'] To disturb ; trouble greatly. 
Mychel they [nettles, thorns, etc.] distourblede me, 
For sore I drad to harmed be. Rom. of the Rose, 1. 1713. 
That was a thynge that gretly hem distntbled in her 
armynge, and ther-ynne thei caught grete damage. 
Merlin (E. E. T. S.), ii. 154. 
Her former sorrow into sudein wrath 
(Both coosen passions of distroubled spright) 
Converting. Spenser, F. Q., III. iv. 12. 
distroublet, [ME., < distrouble, v.] Trouble. 
And rode so fro morowe to euen that no distrouble thei 
ne hadde till thei com to Roestok. 
Merlin (E. E. T. S.), iii. 545. 
distrust (dis-trusf), n. [< dis- + trust, n.] 1. 
Absence of trust ; doubt or suspicion ; want of 
confidence, faith, or reliance : as, to listen with 
distrust; to look upon a project with distrust. 
Therefore to the eude that thou shalt not bee in any 
mannier distruste, it is God that is the maker of this pro- 
misse. J. Udall, On Luke i. 
So is swearing an affect of distrust, and want of faith or 
honesty, on one or both sides. 
Jer. Taylor, Works (ed. 1835), I. 208. 
The self-accusations of such a man are to be received 
with some distrust, not of his sincerity, but of his sober 
judgment. Southey, Bunyan, p. 13. 
Nor does deception lead more surely to distrust of men 
than self-deception to suspicion of principles. 
Lowell, Study Windows, p. 151. 
2. Discredit ; loss of credit or confidence 
To me reproach 
Rather belongs, distritst, and all dispraise. 
Milton, P. L., xi. 166. 
distrust (dis-trusf), v. t. [< dis- priv. + trust, 
v. Cf. distrust, n.] To withhold trust or con- 
fidence from ; doubt or suspect ; refuse to con- 
fide in, rely upon, or give credence to : as, to 
distrust a man's veracity ; I distrust his inten- 
tions. 
I am ready to distrust mine eyes. Shale., T. N., iv. S. 
1" intrench in what you grant unrighteous laws, 
Is to distrust the justice of your cause. 
Dryden, Hind and Panther. 
distruster (dis-trus'ter), n. One who distrusts, 
distrustful ( dis - trust 'ful), a. [< distrust + 
-ful.] 1 . Full of distrust ; wanting confidence ; 
suspicious ; mistrustful. 
The doubtful and distrustful man Heaven frowns at. 
Fletcher (and another"!), Prophetess, i. 3. 
These men are too distrustful, and much to blame to 
use such speeches. Burton. 
2. Not confident ; apprehensive ; diffident ; 
modest : as, distrustful of ourselves. 
Distrustful sense with modest caution speaks. 
Pope, Essay on Criticism, 1. 626. 
distrustfully (dis-trust'ful-i), adv. In a dis- 
trustful manner ; with doubt or suspicion. 
Many are they, 
That of my life distrustfully thus say : 
No help for him in God there lies. 
Milton, Ps. ill. 6. 
distrustfulness (dis- trust 'ful-nes), n. The 
state of being distrustful or suspicious ; want 
of confidence. 
But notwithstanding, many of them, through too much 
distrustfulness, departed and prepared to depart with 
their packets at the first eight of vs. 
Hakluyt's Voyages, II. ii. 159. 
distrustingly (dis-trus'ting-li), adv. Suspi- 
ciously ; with distrust. 
distrustless (dis-trust'les), a. [< distrust + 
-less.] Free from distrust or suspicion; con- 
fident. 
The same Divine teacher enjoins his Apostles to con- 
sider the lillies, or (as some would have it) the tulips of 
the field, and to leam thence that difficult virtue of a 
distrustless reliance upon God. Boyle, Works, II. 29. 
distunet (dis-tun'), v. t. [< dis- + tune.] To 
put out of tune. 
For Adams sin, all creatures else accurst; 
Their Harmony distuned by His iar. 
Sylvester, tr. of Du Bartas's Weeks, ii., The Furies. 
disturb (dis-terb'), v. t. [< ME. disturben, des- 
ttirben, destourben, destorben, < OF. destourber, 
destorber, desturber, disturber, also destourbier, 
