Dirk, a kind of dagger formerly used as a weapon of offence by the Highlanders of Scotland. Dirks are worn by midshipmen and cadets of the Royal Navy, and still form part of the full Highland costume.
Dirk-Hartog Island, on the west coast of Australia, 45 miles long, north to south, and 10 miles broad.
Dirt-beds, in geology, layers of ancient soil, such as those in the Oolitic strata of the Isle of Purbeck (Dorset), which contain the stumps of trees that once grew in them.
Disability, in law, incapacity to do any legal act. It is either absolute, which wholly disables the person, such as outlawry or
excommunication—or partial, such as infancy, coverture, insanity, or drunkenness.
Disbarring, or Disbarments, expelling a barrister from the Bar, a prerogative which, in England, is possessed by the benchers of each of the four Inns of Court. The party disbarred may lodge an appeal with the judges in their capacity of visitors.
Disc, or Disk, the central part of the capitulum of compositæ, surrounded by the ray. Also a part of a flower, sometimes cup-shaped, at the base of the stamens, consisting in some cases of rudimentary stamens, in others of the modified receptacle.—In astronomy the term is applied to the visible face or figure exhibited by the sun, moon, or a planet. In the case of the moon and certain planets it may be of gibbous, semicircular, or crescent form.
Discharging Arch, an arch formed in the substance of a wall to relieve the part which is below it from the superincumbent weight. Such arches are commonly used over lintels and flat-headed openings.
Discipline, Books of, two books connected with the Church of Scotland. The First Book of Discipline was drawn up by John Knox and four other ministers, and laid before the General Assembly in 1560. Though not formally ratified by the Privy Council, it was secretly subscribed by the greater part of the nobility and barons who were members of the Council. Another similar document, the Second Book of Discipline, was prepared and sanctioned by the General Assembly of 1578, and has from that time been recognized as the authorized standard of the Church of Scotland in respect of government and discipline.