The Manual of Heraldry; Fifth Edition / Being a Concise Description of the Several Terms Used, and Containing a Dictionary of Every Designation in the Science

by Anonymous

Ex. Argent, a lion rampant guardant gules, debruised by a fess azure.

DECRESSANT, or DECRESCENT. A moon in its wane, whose horns are turned to the sinister side of the escutcheon.

Ex. Azure, a moon decrescent, proper.

DEMI, or DEMY. This particle is always joined to a substantive, and signifies half; as, a demi-lion, i.e. half a lion.

DETRIMENT. The moon is said to be in its detriment when it is eclipsed.

Ex. Argent, the moon in her detriment sable.

DEXTER. A word used in Heraldry to signify the right side of any thing.