Dilatory, dil′a-tor-i, adj. slow: given to procrastination: loitering: tending to delay.—adv. Dil′atorily.—n. Dil′atoriness. [L. dilatorius, extending or putting off (time). See Dilate.]
Dilemma, di-lem′a, n. a form of argument in which the maintainer of a certain proposition is committed to accept one of two alternative propositions each of which contradicts his original contention: a position where each of two alternative courses (or of all the feasible courses) is eminently undesirable: a trying practical difficulty. The argument was called a 'horned syllogism,' and the victim compared to a man certain to be impaled on one or other of the horns of an infuriated bull, hence the Horns of a dilemma: the usual phrase Landed in a dilemma is, or suggests, a mixed metaphor.—adj. Dilemmat′ic. [L.,—Gr. dilēmma—di-, twice, double, lēmma, an assumption—lambanein, to take.]
Dilettante, dil-et-an′te, n. one who loves the fine arts, but in a superficial way and without serious purpose (the amateur usually practises them): a dabbler in art, science, or literature:—pl. Dilettan′ti (′tē).—adj. Dilettan′tish.—ns. Dilettan′tism, Dilettan′teism. [It., pr.p. of dilettare, to take delight in—L. delectāre, to delight.]
Diligent, dil′i-jent, adj. steady and earnest in application: industrious.—n. Dil′igence, steady application: industry: (Scots law) a warrant to produce witnesses, books, &c., or a process by which persons or goods are attached: a French or continental stage-coach (also pronounced dē-lē-zhongs)—also Dill′y.—adv. Dil′igently. [Fr.,—diligens, -entis, pr.p. of L. diligĕre, to choose.]
Dill, dil, n. an umbelliferous annual, the seeds used in medicine.—n. Dill′-wa′ter, a stomachic and carminative. [A.S. dile; Ger. and Sw. dill.]
Dilling, dil′ing, n. a darling: the youngest child, the weakling of a litter.
Dilly-bag, dil′i-bag, n. an Australian native-made rush or bark-bag.—Also Dill′i, Dill′y.
Dilly-dally, dil′i-dal′i, v.i. to loiter, trifle. [A kind of reduplication of dally. Cf. Shilly-shally.]
Dilogy, dil′ō-ji, n. repetition: intentional ambiguity.—adj. Dilog′ical.
Dilucidate, di-lū′si-dāt, v.t. (obs.) to elucidate.—adj. Dilū′cid.—n. Dilucidā′tion.