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"