DET 
and squares, representing the threads of the 
warp and woof But instead of lines, 
whereof the figures of the former consist, 
these are constituted of points only, or dots, 
placed in certain of the little squares, 
formed by the intersection of the lines. 
These points mark the threads of the warp 
that are to be raised, and tlie spaces left 
blank denote the threads that are to keep 
their situation ; the rest is managed as in 
the former. 
Design is also used in painting, for the 
first idea of a large work, drawn roughly, 
and in little, with an intention to be exe- 
cuted and finished in large. See Paint- 
ing. 
DESIGNING, the art of delineating or 
drawing the appearance of natural objects, 
by lines on a plane. 
DESPOUILLE, in heraldry, the whole 
case, skin, or slough of a beast, with the 
head, feet, tail, and all appurtenances, so 
that being filled and stuffed, it looks like the 
entire creature. 
DETACHMENT, in military affairs, a 
certain number of soldiers drawn out from 
several regiments or companies equally, to 
be employed as the general thinks proper, 
whetiier on an attack, at a siege, or in par- 
ties to sGCur the country. 
A detachment of two or tliree thousand 
men, is a command for a brigadier ; eight 
hundred for a colonel ; four or five hund^d 
for a lieutenant-colonel. A captain never 
marches on a detachment with less than 
fifty men, a lieutenant, an ensign, and two 
Serjeants. A lieutenant is allowed thirty* 
and a serjeant ; and a serjeant ten or twelve 
men. Detadiments are sometimes made of 
intire squadrons and battalions. 
Detachment, in naval affairs, is a cer- 
tain number of ships of a fleet or squadron 
chosen by an admiral or commodore from 
the otliers to execute some particular ser- 
vice. 
DETENTS, in clock-work, are those 
stops, which, by being lifted up or let down, 
lock or unlock the clock in striking. See 
Horology. 
Detent wheel, or Hoop wheel, in a 
clock, that wheel which has a hoop almost 
round it, wherein there is a vacancy at 
which the clock locks. 
detergent. See Pharmacy, 
determinate problem, in geome- 
try, that which has but one, or, at least, a 
limited number of answers : as the follow- 
ing problem, which has but one only solu- 
tion, viz. To describe an isosceles triangle 
DEU 
on a given line, whose angles at the base 
shall be double that at the vertex. But the 
following hath two solutions, viz. To find 
an isosceles triangle, whose area and peri- 
meter are given. 
DETINUE is a writ which lies where 
any man comes to goods or chattels either 
by delivery or by finding, and refuseth to 
redeliver them ; and it lies only for the de- 
taining, when the detaining was lawful. In 
this writ the plaintiff shall recover the thing 
detained ; and therefore it must be so cer- 
tain, as that it may be specifically known. 
Therefore it cannot be brought for money, 
com, or the like, for that cannot be known 
from otlier money or com, unless it be in a 
bag or sack, for then it may be distinguish- 
ably marked. 
In order therefore to ground an action of 
detinue, which is only for the detaining, 
these points are necessary; 1. That the de- 
fendant came lawfully by the goods, as 
either by delivery to him, or finding them. 
2. That the plaintiff have a property. 3. 
That the goods themselves be of value. And 
4. That they be ascertained in point of 
identity. Upon this, the jury, if they find 
for the plaintiff, assess the respective values 
of the several parcels detained, and also 
damages for the detension, and the judg- 
ment is conditional, that the plaintiff reco- 
ver the said goods, or (if they cannot be 
had) their respective values, and also the 
damages for detaining them. 
DETONATIOJV, in chemistiy, an explo- 
sion with noise, made by the inflammation 
of a combustible body. Decrepitation dif- 
fera from denotation only as producing a 
fainter noise, or merely a kind of crackling 
sound peculiar to certain salts. Fulmina- 
tion is a more quick and lively detonation, 
such as takes place with certain prepara- 
tions of gold, silver, mercury, &c. See 
Decrepitation, Fulmination. 
DETRANCHE, in heraldry, a line 
beiidwise, proceeding always from the dexter 
side, but not from the very angle, diago- 
nally athwart the shield. 
DEVISE, or Device, in heraldry, paint- 
ing and sculpture, any emblem used to re- 
present a certain family, person, action, or 
quality ; with a suitable motto applied in a 
figurative sense. 
DEVOURING, in heraldry, is when 
fishes are borne in an escutcheon in a feed- 
ing posture, for they swallow all the meat 
whole. 
DEUTZIA, in botany, a genus of the 
Decandria Trigynia class and order. Es- 
