Duke, dūk, n. the highest order of nobility next below that of prince: (B.) a chieftain: on the Continent, a sovereign prince.—ns. Duke′dom, the title, rank, or territories of a duke; Duke′ling, a petty duke; Duk′ery, a duke's territory or seat; Duke′ship.—The Dukeries, a group of ducal seats in Nottinghamshire. [O. Fr. duc—L. dux, ducis, a leader—ducĕre, to lead.]
Dulcamara, dul-ka-mā′ra, n. a name for the Bittersweet (q.v.). [Formed from L. dulcis, sweet, amara, bitter.]
Dulcet, duls′et, adj. sweet to the taste, or to the ear: melodious, harmonious.—n. Dulcificā′tion.—adj. Dulcif′luous, flowing sweetly.—v.t. Dul′cify, to make sweet.—ns. Dulcil′oquy, a soft manner of speaking; Dul′cite, Dul′citol, Dul′cose, a saccharine substance derived from various plants—in its crude form, Madagascar manna; Dul′citude, sweetness.—Dulcified spirit, a compound of alcohol with mineral acid. [O. Fr. doucet, dim. of dols (Fr. doux)—L. dulcis, sweet.]
Dulcimer, dul′si-mėr, n. a musical instrument resembling a flat box, with sounding-board and bridges, across which run wires tuned by pegs at the sides, and played on by striking the wires with a small piece of wood in each hand, or more usually with two cork-headed hammers: a Jewish musical instrument, according to Gesenius, a double pipe with a bag. [Sp. dulcemele—L. dulce melos, a sweet song—dulcis, sweet; melos = Gr. melos, a song.]
Dulcinea, dul-sin′ē-a, or dul-sin-ē′a, n. sweetheart. [From Dulcinea del Toboso, the name given by Don Quixote to the mistress of his imagination.]
Dule, dool, n. (Scot.) woe.—n. Dule′-tree, the gallows. [See Dole.]
Dulia, dū-lī′a, n. (R.C. Church) that inferior veneration due to saints and angels.—n. Duloc′racy, government by slaves. [Gr. douleia—doulos, a slave.]
Dull, dul, adj. slow of hearing, of learning, or of understanding: insensible: without life or spirit: slow of motion: drowsy: sleepy: sad: downcast: cheerless: not bright or clear: cloudy: dim, obscure: obtuse: blunt.—v.t. to make dull or stupid: to blunt: to damp: to cloud.—v.i. to become dull.—n. Dull′ard, a dull and stupid person: a dunce.—adjs. Dull′-brained (Shak.), of dull brain or intellect: stupid; Dull′-browed, of gloomy brow or look; Dull′-eyed (Shak.), having eyes dull or wanting expression; Dull′ish, somewhat dull: wearisome.—ns. Dull′ness, Dul′ness, the stale or quality of being dull.—adjs. Dull′-sight′ed; Dull′-wit′ted; Dull′y, somewhat dull.—adv. Dull′y. [A.S. dol—dwelan, to err; Dut. dol, Ger. toll, mad.]
Dulse, duls, n. an edible seaweed, with red, deeply-divided fronds, eaten in Ireland and elsewhere. [Gael, duileasg—duille, a leaf, uisge, water.]