Dellis. Were Bosnian and Albanian horsemen, who served without pay in the Turkish armies.
Delphi (now Castri). An ancient town of Phocis, Greece, celebrated on account of its oracle of Apollo. Its temple was burnt by the Pisistratidæ, 548 B.C. A new temple was raised by the Alcmæonidæ. The Persians (480 B.C.) and the Gauls (279 B.C.) were deterred from plundering the temple by awful portents. It was, however, robbed and seized by the Phocians, 357 B.C., which led to the Sacred War, and Nero carried from it 300 costly statues in 67 A.D.
Demembré, or Dismembered. A heraldic term signifying that the members of an animal are cut from its body.
Demerara and Essequibo. Colonies in Guiana, South America, founded by the Dutch in 1580, were taken by the British, under Maj.-Gen. Whyte, April 22, 1796, but were restored at the peace of Amiens, 1802. They again surrendered to the British under Gen. Grinfield and Commodore Hood, September, 1803, and became English colonies in 1814.
Demi, or Demy. In heraldry, an animal is said to be demi when only the upper or fore half of it is represented.
Demi-bastion. A piece in fortification, which generally terminates the branches of crown-works or horn-works towards their head.
Demi-brigade. A half brigade.
Demi-cannon. A kind of ordnance, anciently used, carrying a ball of from 30 to 36 pounds in weight.
Demi-culverin. A kind of ordnance anciently used, carrying a ball of 9 or 10 pounds in weight.
Demi-distances (Fr.). Half distances; as, serrez la colonne à demi-distances, close to the column at half distances.