Dracontium, drā-kon′shi-um, n. a genus of American araceous plants: the root of the skunk-cabbage. [Gr.,—drakōn, a dragon.]
Dracunculus, drā-kun′kū-lus, n. a herbaceous genus of Araceæ; a dragonet or goby of genus Callionymus: a genus of worms, the guinea-worm. [L., dim, of draco, a dragon.]
Drad, drad, p.adj. or n. form used by Spenser for dread and dreaded.
Draff, draf, n. dregs: the refuse of malt that has been brewed from.—adjs. Draff′ish, Draff′y, worthless. [Prob. related to Dut. draf, Ger. träber.]
Draft, dräft, n. anything drawn: a selection of men from an army, &c.: an order for the payment of money: lines drawn for a plan: a rough sketch: the depth to which a vessel sinks in water.—v.t. to draw an outline of: to compose and write: to draw off: to detach.—ns. Draft′-bar, a swingle-tree, the bar to which the coupling of a railway-carriage is attached; Draft′-horse, a horse used for drawing the plough, heavy loads, &c., in distinction to a carriage or saddle horse; Draft′-ox, an ox used for drawing loads; Drafts′man, one who draws plans or designs; Drafts′manship. [A corr. of Draught.]
Drafts, dräfts, n.pl. a game. [See Draughts.]
Drag, drag, v.t. to draw by force: to draw slowly: to pull roughly and violently: to explore with a drag-net or hook.—v.i. to hang so as to trail on the ground: to be forcibly drawn along: to move slowly and heavily:—pr.p. drag′ging; pa.p. dragged.—n. a net or hook for dragging along to catch things under water: a heavy harrow: a device for guiding wood to the saw: a mail-coach: a long open carriage, with transverse or side seats: a contrivance for retarding carriage-wheels in going down slopes: any obstacle to progress: an artificial scent (anise-seed, &c.) dragged on the ground for foxhounds trained to the pursuit (Drag′-hounds) to follow: (billiards) a push somewhat under the centre of the cue-ball, causing it to follow the object-ball a short way.—ns. Drag′-bar, a strong iron bar for connecting railway-carriages together—also Draw′-bar; Drag′-bolt, a strong bolt passing through the drag-bar of railway-carriages, and serving to fasten the coupling; Drag′-chain, the chain that connects engine and tender, or carriages and wagons, with one another; Drag′-man, a fisherman who uses a drag-net; Drag′-net, a net to be dragged or drawn along the bottom of water to catch fish; Drags′man, the driver of a drag or coach. [A.S. dragan; Ger. tragen. Acc. to Curtius, nowise conn. with L. trahĕre.]
Dragantin, dra-gan′tin, n. a mucilage obtained from gum tragacanth.
Draggle, drag′l, v.t. or v.i. to make or become wet and dirty by dragging along the ground.—n. Dragg′le-tail, a slut.—adj. Dragg′le-tailed. [Freq. of drag, and a doublet of drawl.]
Dragoman, drag′o-man, n. an interpreter or guide in Eastern countries:—pl. Drag′omans. [Fr., from Ar. tarjumân—tarjama, to interpret. See Targum.]