Dodrans, R. (i. e. three-fourths). Nine unciæ, or three-quarters of an as. There was no coin of this value. As a measure of length, nine inches. (See As.)
Doff or Deff, Egyp. The square tambourine of the ancient Egyptians; the toph of the Hebrews, still in use among the Arabs, especially in the Barbary States.
Dog. An emblem of fidelity and loyalty. In mediæval art, the attribute of St. Roch; also of St. Dominic, the founder of the Dominican order; of St. Bernard, St. Wendelin, and St. Benignus. As an emblem of fidelity, it is placed at the feet of the effigies of married women upon sepulchres. It was common to represent, in painting or mosaic, a chained watch-dog at the doors of Roman houses. The Dog of Fo is a sacred emblem in China, sometimes called a Chimera; it is placed as the guardian of the thresholds of temples, and of the Buddhist altars. In the Chinese zodiacal system the dog is the sign for the month of September.
Dog Latin. Barbarous Latin; e. g. “Verte canem ex” (turn the dog out).
Dog’s-nose, O. E. A cordial used in low life, composed of warm porter, moist sugar, gin, and nutmeg. (Halliwell.)
Dog’s-tooth Moulding, Arch. A characteristic ornament of Early English architecture, formed of four leaves with small spiral fillets, which bear some resemblance to teeth. (See Tooth-ornament.)
Fig. 255. Bronze Dolabra or hatchet (Celtic).
Fig. 256. Hatchet, flint-stone.