English Vocabulary List 8
derivative
adjective (typically of an artist or work of art) imitative of the work of another person, and usually disapproved of for that reason. "an artist who is not in the slightest bit derivative" noun something that is based on another source. "a derivative of the system was chosen for the Marine Corps' V-22 tilt rotor aircraft"
devoid
adjective entirely lacking or free from. "Lisa kept her voice devoid of emotion"
devout
adjective having or showing deep religious feeling or commitment. "she was a devout Catholic"
dilatory
adjective slow to act. "he had been dilatory in appointing a solicitor"
determination
noun 1. firmness of purpose; resoluteness. "he advanced with an unflinching determination" 2. the process of establishing something exactly by calculation or research. "determination of molecular structures"
Din
noun a loud, unpleasant, and prolonged noise. "the fans made an awful din" verb 1. make (someone) learn or remember something by constant repetition. "the doctrine that has been dinned into all our heads" 2. make a loud, unpleasant, and prolonged noise. "the sound dinning in my ears was the telephone ringing"
demise
noun a person's death. "Mr. Grisenthwaite's tragic demise"
dilemma
noun a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, especially equally undesirable ones. "the people often face the dilemma of feeding themselves or their cattle"
digression
noun a temporary departure from the main subject in speech or writing. "let's return to the main topic after that brief digression"
Dint
noun an impression or hollow in a surface. "the soft dints at the top of a coconut"
dilgence
noun careful and persistent work or effort. "few party members challenge his diligence as an MP"
diffidence
noun modesty or shyness resulting from a lack of self-confidence. "I say this with some diffidence"
demeanor
noun outward behavior or bearing. "a quiet, somber demeanor"
descant
noun (music) an independent treble melody usually sung or played above a basic melody. verb (literary) talk tediously or at length. "I have descanted on this subject before"
Demean
verb cause a severe loss in the dignity of and respect for (someone or something). "I had demeaned the profession"
despise
verb feel contempt or a deep repugnance for. "he despised himself for being selfish"
deplore
verb feel or express strong disapproval of (something). "we deplore this act of violence"
devise
verb plan or invent (a complex procedure, system, or mechanism) by careful thought. "a training program should be devised"
delve
verb reach inside a receptacle and search for something. "she delved in her pocket"
depose
verb remove from office suddenly and forcefully. "he had been deposed by a military coup"
descry
verb (literary) catch sight of. "she descried two figures"
detraction
The opposite of an attraction
desolate
adjective (of a place) deserted of people and in a state of bleak and dismal emptiness. "a desolate moor" verb make (a place) bleakly and depressingly empty or bare. "the droughts that desolated the dry plains"
Dire
adjective (of a situation or event) extremely serious or urgent. "dire consequences"