Etymology dictionary
demiurge (n.) — denuclearize (v.)
demiurge (n.)
1670s, from Latinized form of Greek dēmiourgos, literally "public or skilled worker, worker for the people," from dēmos "common people" (see demotic) + -ergos "that works," from ergon "work" (from PIE root *werg- "to do").
The title of a magistrate in some Peloponnesian city-states and the Achæan League; taken in Platonic philosophy as a name for the maker of the world. In the Gnostic system, "conceived as a being subordinate to the Supreme Being, and sometimes as the author of evil" [OED 2nd ed., 1989]. Related: Demiurgic; demiurgical (c. 1600); demiurgeous.
demo (n.)
"music recording given out for promotional purposes," by 1958 in Billboard magazine headlines and advertisements, short for demonstration disk. The word was used earlier to mean "a public political demonstration" (1936).
demoness (n.)
"female demon," 1630s; see demon + -ess.
demob (v.)
1919, short for demobilize. Originally in reference to troops returning to civilian life at the end of World War I. Related: Demobbed.
demobilize (v.)
"to send home (troops) as not required for active service," 1876, probably a back-formation from demobilization (q.v.). Related: Demobilized; demobilizing.
demobilization (n.)
"action of disbanding troops; reduction of military forces to a peace status," 1866 (in reference to the Austro-Prussian War); see de- (privative) + mobilization. Earlier in German.
democracy (n.)
"government by the people, system of government in which the sovereign power is vested in the people as a whole exercising power directly or by elected officials; a state so governed," 1570s, from French démocratie (14c.), from Medieval Latin democratia (13c.), from Greek dēmokratia "popular government," from dēmos "common people," originally "district" (see demotic), + kratos "rule, strength" (see -cracy).
Sometimes 16c.-17c. in Latinized form democratie. In 19c. England it could refer to "the class of people which has no hereditary or other rank, the common people." In 19c. U.S. politics it could mean "principles or members of the Democratic Party."
democratization (n.)
"action or process of becoming democratic; act of rendering democratic," 1860; see democratize + -ation.
democrat (n.)
1790, "adherent or advocate of democracy," with reference to France, from French démocrate (18c., opposed to aristocrate), back-formation from démocratie (see democracy); formally revived in U.S. as a political party affiliation 1798, with a capital D. As a shortening of this, Demo (1793) is older than Dem (c. 1840). An earlier noun for "adherent of democracy" was democratian (1650s).
democratic (adj.)
c. 1600, "of the nature of or characterized by democracy; pertaining to democracy," from French démocratique, from Medieval Latin democraticus, from Greek demokratikos "of or for democracy; favoring democracy," from demokratia "popular government" (see democracy). Earlier was democratian (1570s), democratical (1580s). Related: Democratically.
As a political faction name, from 1790 in reference to France. U.S. political usage (with a capital D) attested from c. 1800. The party originally was the Anti-Federal party, then the Democratic-Republican (Democratic for short). It formed among those opposed to extensive powers for the U.S. federal government. The name of the party was not formally shortened to Democratic until 1829. Democratic socialism is attested from 1849.
democratize (v.)
1798 (transitive) "make popular or common, bring to a common level, render democratic;" 1840 (intransitive) "become democratic," from French démocratiser, noted as one of the neologisms of the Revolution, from démocratie (see democracy). Greek demokratizein meant "to be on the democratic side."
demodulation (n.)
1921, from de- + modulation.
demographics (n.)
1967, the science of divining from demographic statistics; see demography + -ics. Originally in reference to TV audiences and advertisers.
demographic (adj.)
1882, "of or pertaining to demography," from demography + -ic. As a noun, by 1998, short for demographic group or category. Related: Demographical; demographically; demographer (1877).
demography (n.)
"that branch of anthropology which studies life-conditions of a people by its vital and social statistics," 1880, from Greek dēmos "people" (see demotic) + -graphy.
demoiselle (n.)
"young lady, girl," 1510s, from French demoiselle (Old French damoisele, dameisele, dameiselle); an unmodified form of damsel (q.v.).
demolish (v.)
1560s, "to destroy the structural character of (a building, wall, etc.), by violently pulling it to pieces," from French demoliss-, present-participle stem of démolir "to destroy, tear down" (late 14c.), from Latin demoliri "tear down," from de "down" (see de-) + moliri "build, construct," from moles (genitive molis) "massive structure" (see mole (n.3)). Figurative sense of "to destroy, lay waste" is from 1610s; humorously, "to consume," by 1756. Related: Demolished; demolishing.
demolition (n.)
1540s, figurative, "destruction, overthrow;" 1610s, literal, "action of pulling down or destroying (a structure); fact of being demolished," from French demolition "demolition; defeat, rout" (14c.), from Latin demolitionem (nominative demolitio), noun of action from past-participle stem of demoliri "to tear down," from de "down" (see de-) + moliri "build, construct," from moles (genitive molis) "massive structure" (see mole (n.3)).
Mencken noted demolition engineer for "house-wrecker" by 1936. Demolition derby is recorded from 1956, American English, defined by OED as "a contest in which old cars are battered into one another, the last one running being declared the winner."
demon (n.)
c. 1200, "an evil spirit, malignant supernatural being, an incubus, a devil," from Latin daemon "spirit," from Greek daimōn "deity, divine power; lesser god; guiding spirit, tutelary deity" (sometimes including souls of the dead); "one's genius, lot, or fortune;" from PIE *dai-mon- "divider, provider" (of fortunes or destinies), from root *da- "to divide."
The malignant sense is because the Greek word was used (with daimonion) in Christian Greek translations and the Vulgate for "god of the heathen, heathen idol" and also for "unclean spirit." Jewish authors earlier had employed the Greek word in this sense, using it to render shedim "lords, idols" in the Septuagint, and Matthew viii.31 has daimones, translated as deofol in Old English, feend or deuil in Middle English. Another Old English word for this was hellcniht, literally "hell-knight."
The usual ancient Greek sense, "supernatural agent or intelligence lower than a god, ministering spirit" is attested in English from 1560s and is sometimes written daemon or daimon for purposes of distinction. Meaning "destructive or hideous person" is from 1610s; as "an evil agency personified" (rum, etc.) from 1712.
The Demon of Socrates (late 14c. in English) was a daimonion, a "divine principle or inward oracle." His accusers, and later the Church Fathers, however, represented this otherwise. The Demon Star (1895) is Algol (q.v.) .
demonic (adj.)
also daemonic, 1660s, "devilish, of the nature of or pertaining to a demon," from Latin daemonicus, from daemon (see demon). Demonical is from late 15c. Old English glossed daemonicus with deofelseoc ("devil-sick").
demonize (v.)
"to make into a demon" (literally or figuratively), 1778, from demon + -ize or else from Medieval Latin daemonizare. Greek daimonizesthai meant "to be under the power of a tutelary deity," in the New Testament, "to be possessed by a demon." Also demonise. Related: Demonized; demonizing; demonization (1799).
demonarchy (n.)
"rule or dominion of demons," 1640s; see demon + -archy.
demonetize (v.)
"divest of standard monetary value," 1852, from French démonitiser, from de- (see de-) + monetiser (see monetize). Also demonetise. Related: Demonetized; demonetizing.
demonetization (n.)
"action of demonetizing or condition of being demonetized," 1838, from French démonétisation, noted as a coinage of the Revolution, from démonetiser (see demonetize). Also demonetisation.
demoniac (adj.)
c. 1400, "possessed by a demon, insane," earlier (late 14c.) as a noun, demoniak, "one who is possessed, a lunatic," from Late Latin daemoniacus, from Greek daimoniakos "possessed by a demon," from diamon (see demon). From 1640s as "of or pertaining to demons or spirits;" by 1820 as "devilish." Related: Demoniacal; demoniacally.
demonology (n.)
"the study of demons or beliefs about demons," 1590s; see demon + -ology. Related: Demonologer; demonological.
demonstrable (adj.)
"capable of being proved or made evident beyond doubt," c. 1400, from Old French demonstrable and directly from Latin demonstrabilis, from demonstrare "to point out, indicate, demonstrate," figuratively, "to prove, establish," from de- "entirely" (see de-) + monstrare "to point out, show," from monstrum "divine omen, wonder" (see monster). Related: Demonstrably.
demonstrative (adj.)
late 14c., demonstratif, "characterized by logic, based on logic, showing or making manifest the truth or existence (of something)," from Old French démonstratif (14c.) and directly from Latin demonstrativus "pointing out, demonstrating," from demonstrat-, past-participle stem of demonstrare "to indicate, describe" (see demonstration).
The grammatical sense, "pointing out the thing referred to," is from mid-15c.; general sense of "having the quality of clearly showing, illustrative" is by 1520s. Meaning "given to or characterized by strong outward expressions of feelings" is from 1819. Related: Demonstratively; demonstrativeness.
demonstrator (n.)
1610s, "one who points out or proves," agent noun in Latin form from demonstrate. From 1680s as "one who uses specimens or experiments as a method of teaching;" 1870 as "one who participates in public demonstrations."
demonstrate (v.)
1550s, "point out, indicate, exhibit," a sense now obsolete, from Latin demonstratus, past participle of demonstrare "point out, indicate, demonstrate," figuratively, "prove, establish," from de- "entirely" (see de-) + monstrare "point out, show," from monstrum "divine omen, wonder" (see monster), and compare demonstration.
The meaning "point out or establish the truth of by argument or deduction" is from 1570s. The sense of "describe and explain scientifically by specimens or experiment" is from 1680s. The meaning "take part in a public demonstration in the name of some political or social cause" is by 1888. Related: Demonstrated; demonstrating.
Latin also had commonstrare "point out, reveal," praemonstrare "show beforehand, foretell."
demonstration (n.)
late 14c., demonstracioun, "proof that something is true," by reasoning or logical deduction or practical experiment, from Old French demonstration (14c.) and directly from Latin demonstrationem (nominative demonstratio), noun of action from past-participle stem of demonstrare "to point out, indicate, demonstrate," figuratively, "to prove, establish," from de- "entirely" (see de-) + monstrare "to point out, reveal show," which is related to monstrum "divine omen, wonder" (source of monster). Both are derivatives of monere "to remind, bring to (one's) recollection, tell (of); admonish, advise, warn, instruct, teach," from PIE *moneie- "to make think of, remind," a suffixed (causative) form of the root *men- (1) "to think."
Sense of "exhibition and explanation of practical operations" is by 1807. Meaning "public show of feeling by a number of persons in support of some political or social cause," at first usually involving a mass meeting and a procession, is from 1839. Related: Demonstrational.
demoralize (v.)
1793, "to corrupt or undermine the morals of," from French démoraliser, from de- "remove" (see de-) + morale (see morale). Said to be a coinage of the French Revolution. Sense of "lower the morale of, deprive of courage and confidence" (originally especially in reference to armed forces) is attested by 1842; in colloquial use, "to throw into confusion generally." Also demoralise. Related: Demoralized; demoralizing; demoralization.
demote (v.)
"reduce to a lower rank or class," 1881, American English coinage from de- "down" + ending abstracted from promote. Said to have been in general use in the Midwest by 1893, but not in the East.
Related: Demoted; demoting.
demotion (n.)
"act or fact of being reduced to a lower rank or class," 1890, noun of action from demote (v.).
demotic (adj.)
"of or belonging to the people," especially "pertaining to the common people, popular, vulgar," 1822, from Latinized form of Greek dēmotikos "of or for the common people, in common use," from dēmos "common people," originally "district," from PIE *da-mo- "division," from root *da- "to divide." Originally in English it was used in reference to the simpler of two forms of ancient Egyptian writing (opposed to hieratic or hieroglyphic); the broader sense is by 1831. Used of the popular form of modern Greek since 1927.
demotivate (v.)
"cause to lose motivation; deprive of incentive to continue," by 1974; see de- + motivate. Related: Demotivated; demotivating; demotivation.
Dempsey
surname, from Irish Ó Diomasaigh "descendant of Diomasach," which is literally "proud."
demulcent (adj.)
"soothing, allaying irritation;" as a noun, "a medicine which assuages the effects of irritation," 1732, from Latin demulcentem (nominative demulcens), present participle of demulcere "to stroke down, soothingly pet," from de "down" (see de-) + mulcere "to stroke, caress," from PIE *m(o)lk-eie- "to touch repeatedly," source also of Sanskrit mrsase "to touch." De Vaan writes that connection with *meig-, the root of mulgere "to milk," "is possible, but unproven." The obsolete verb demulce "soothe, soften, mollify" is attested from 1520s.
demure (adj.)
late 14c. (early 14c. as an Anglo-French surname), "calm, settled;" of persons, "sober, grave, serious," from an Anglo-French extended form of Old French meur "mature, fully grown, ripe," hence "discreet" (Modern French mûr), from Latin maturus "mature" (see mature (v.)). The de- in this word is of uncertain meaning and origin. Barnhart suggests the Anglo-French word is from Old French demore, past participle of demorer "to stay," and influenced by meur. Klein suggests Old French de (bon) murs "of good manners," from murs (Modern French moeurs).
Now usually meaning "affectedly decorous, reserved, or coy" (1690s). Related: Demurely; demureness.
demur (v.)
c. 1200, demuren, "to linger, tarry, delay," a sense now obsolete, from variant stem of Old French demorer "delay, retard," from Latin demorari "to linger, loiter, tarry," from de- (see de-) + morari "to delay," from mora "a pause, delay" (see moratorium).
Modern sense of "raise objections, take exception, have scruples" is by 1630s, from a legal sense attested from the 1620s: "admit provisionally the facts of the opponent's proceeding but deny he is entitled to legal relief," a verb from demurrer. Such a pleading effectively stops the action until the point is settled. Related: Demurred; demurring.
demurrer (n.)
1530s, "a pause, a delay" (a sense now obsolete); 1540 as legal pleading to the effect that, even conceding the facts to be as alleged by the opponent, he is not entitled to legal relief, from Anglo-French demurrer, Old French demorer "to delay, retard," from Latin demorari "to linger, loiter, tarry," from de- (see de-) + morari "to delay," from mora "a pause, delay" (see moratorium). Transferred sense of "objection raised or exception taken" to anything is by 1590s.
demurral (n.)
"action of demurring," 1810; see demur (v.) + -al (2).
demurrage (n.)
"any detention of a vessel by the freighter in loading or unloading beyond the time originally stipulated" [Century Dictionary], 1640s, from Old French demorage, from demorer "to stay, delay, retard," from Latin demorari "to linger, loiter, tarry," from de- (see de-) + morari "to delay," from mora "a pause, delay" (see moratorium). Also "a payment in compensation by the freighter for such a delay."
demystify (v.)
"to dispel bewilderment, remove irrationality," 1963; see de- + mystify. Related: Demystified; demystifying.
den (n.2)
in good den, found in the early dramatists, a contraction of good e'en "good evening;" the phrase was short for God give you good den.
den (n.1)
Old English denn "wild animal's lair, hollow place in the earth used by an animal for concealment, shelter, and security," from Proto-Germanic *danjan (source also of Middle Low German denne "lowland, wooded vale, den," Old English denu "valley," Old Frisian dene "down," Old High German tenni, German tenne "threshing floor," perhaps from a PIE word meaning "low ground").
Transferred to den-like places in human habitations in Middle English: "secret lurking place of thieves, place of retreat" (late 13c.); "apartment, private chamber" (late 14c.), but the modern use for "small room or lodging in which a man can seclude himself for work or leisure" [OED] is a modern development, originally colloquial, attested by 1771. By 1956, however, at least in U.S., the den had come to be a sort of family all-purpose room. In 19c. it also often had a bad sense, "a haunt, squalid place of retreat" (as in the set phrase den of iniquity for a brothel, etc.).
denarius (n.)
ancient Roman silver coin, 1570s, from Latin denarius, noun use of adjective meaning "containing ten," and short for denarius nummus "the coin containing ten (aces)," from deni- "by tens," from decem "ten" (from PIE root *dekm- "ten"). In English money reckoning, "a penny," this having been, like the Roman denarius, the largest silver coin (hence d for "pence" in l.s.d.).
denationalize (v.)
1807, "to deprive of nationality, remove or destroy the distinct nationality of," from French dénationaliser, which was said in contemporary English publications to have been coined by Napoleon Bonaparte in reference to the nations he had conquered and absorbed into France (denapoleonize was coined shortly thereafter); see de- + nationalize. Meaning "to transfer (an industry, etc.) from national to private ownership" is by 1921. Related: Denationalized; denationalization.
denaturation (n.)
"action of altering (something) so as to change its nature," 1845, earlier in French and German; see denature + noun ending -ation.
denature (v.)
"alter (something) so as to change its nature," 1878, from French dénaturer (Old French desnaturer "change the nature of; make unnatural"); see de- + nature. Earlier it meant "to make unnatural" (1680s). Earlier in the modern sense of denature was denaturalize (1812). Related: Denatured.
denazify (v.)
"detachment of Nazis from their allegiance; removal of Nazis from official position," 1944, from de- + Nazi + -fy. Related: Denazified; denazifying.
dendrite (n.)
"natural marking found on some stones in the form of branching shrubs, trees, or mosses," 1745, from Greek dendrites "of or pertaining to a tree," from dendron "tree," from PIE *der-drew-, from root *deru- "to be firm, solid, steadfast," also forming words for "wood, tree."
dendritic (adj.)
1816, "resembling a tree, tree-like;" see dendrite + -ic. Also "marked by figures resembling trees" (1805). Related: Dendritical; dendritically.
dendro-
word-forming element meaning "tree," from Greek dendron "tree," sometimes especially "fruit tree" (as opposed to hylē "timber"), from PIE *der-drew-, from root *deru- "to be firm, solid, steadfast," also forming words for "wood, tree."
dendrochronology (n.)
"dating by tree rings," 1928; see dendro- "tree" + chronology. As a native alternative, tree-time was proposed.
dendrology (n.)
1708, "a treatise on trees;" by 1825 as "the natural history of trees;" see dendro- "tree" + -ology. Related: Dendrological; dendrologist.
dene (n.2)
"bare, sandy tract by the sea," late 13c., of uncertain origin, perhaps connected to dune, but the sense and the phonology are difficult. Related: Dene-hole (1768) "ancient artificial excavation in the chalk-formations of southern England." By local folk etymology Dane-hole, and reputed to be where the vikings hid their treasure, but there is no historical evidence for this.
dene (n.1)
"small thickly wooded valley," from Old English denu "valley" (see den). Confused in Middle English with den. In Middle English down and dene meant "hill and dale."
Deneb
bright star in the tail of the constellation Cygnus the Swan, by 1741, from Arabic Al Dhanab al Dajajah "the Hen's Tail."
Denebola
second-brightest star in Leo, from Latinized corruption of Arabic dhanab al-(asad) "tail of the lion." In 18c., often simply Deneb.
dengue (n.)
"febrile epidemic disease of the tropics," 1828, from West Indian Spanish dengue, from an African source, perhaps Swahili dinga "seizure, cramp," with form influenced by Spanish dengue "prudery" (perhaps because sufferers walk stiffly and erect due to the painful joints which characterize the disease). The disease is from East Africa and was introduced into the West Indies in 1827.
deny (v.)
early 14c., "declare to be untrue or untenable," from Old French denoiir "deny, repudiate, withhold," from Latin denegare "to deny, reject, refuse" (source of Italian dinegarre, Spanish denegar), from de "away" (see de-) + negare "refuse, say 'no,' " from Old Latin nec "not," from Italic base *nek- "not," from PIE root *ne- "not."
From late 14c. as "refuse, refuse to grant or give," also "refuse to acknowledge, disavow, disown." Sense of "refuse access to" is from 1660s. Related: Denied; denying.
denial (n.)
1520s, "refusal to grant what is requested or desired;" see deny + -al (2). Replaced earlier denyance (late 15c.). Sense of "act of asserting to the contrary, contradicting" is from 1570s; that of "refusal to accept or acknowledge" is from 1580s. In some 19c. uses, it really means "self-denial." Meaning "unconscious suppression of painful or embarrassing feelings" first attested 1914 in A.A. Brill's translation of Freud's "Psychopathology of Everyday Life"; hence the phrase in denial, popularized 1980s.
denier (n.2)
"one who denies," c. 1400, agent noun from deny (v.).
denier (n.1)
medieval French silver coin corresponding to the English penny, early 15c., from Old French dener, a small coin of slight value, roughly equivalent to the English penny, in use in France from the time of Charlemagne to early modern times, from Latin denarium, from denarius, name of a Roman coin (source also of Spanish dinero); see denarius.
denigrate (v.)
1520s, "to sully or stain" (the reputation, character, etc.), from Latin denigratus, past participle of denigrare "to blacken; to defame," from de- "completely" (see de-) + nigr-, stem of niger "black" (see Negro), which is of unknown origin.
The figurative sense is oldest in English; the literal sense of "blacken, make black" is recorded from 1620s. But denigrate as a past-participle adjective meaning "darkened, discolored" is attested from early 15c. "Apparently disused in 18th c. and revived in 19th c." [OED]. Related: Denigrated; denigrating.
denigration (n.)
early 15c., denigracioun, "act of making or becoming black, darkening, discoloration," from Late Latin denigrationem (nominative denigratio), noun of action from past-participle stem of Latin denigrare "to blacken; to defame," from de- "completely" (see de-) + nigr-, stem of niger "black," which is of unknown origin. Figurative sense "blackening of character or reputation" is by 1868.
denim (n.)
1690s, from French serge de Nîmes "serge from Nîmes," town in southern France. Originally a kind of serge; application to "coarse, colored, twilled cotton cloth" is by 1850 in American English. Denims "pants made of denim" is recorded from 1868; originally typically overalls. The place name is Roman Nemausus, said to be ultimately from Gaulish nemo "sanctuary."
Denise
fem. form of masc. proper name Dennis. Little used in U.S. before 1920s; was at its most popular (top 50) for girls born between 1951 and 1973.
denitrification (n.)
"removal or destruction of nitrates," 1883; see de- + nitrification. Related: Denitrate; denitrify.
denizen (n.)
early 15c., "a citizen, a dweller, an inhabitant," especially "legally established inhabitant of a city or borough, a citizen as distinguished from a non-resident native or a foreigner," from Anglo-French deinzein, denzein, (Old French deinzein) "one within" (the privileges of a city franchise; opposed to forein "one without"), from deinz "within, inside," from Late Latin deintus, from de- "from" + intus "within" (see ento-).
Historically, an alien admitted to certain rights of citizenship in a country; a naturalized citizen (but ineligible to public office). Formerly also an adjective, "within the city franchise, having certain rights and privileges of citizenship" (late 15c.). Compare foreign.
Denmark
Scandinavian country from Dane, the people's name, + Danish mark "border" (see mark (n.1)). The modern form is attested from late 14c. (from earlier Denemarke, c. 1200, from Old English Dene-mearce), but originally it meant western Scandinavia generally, "the lands of the Danes and Northmen." As an adjective, Middle English had Dene-marchish.
Dennis
masc. proper name, from French Denis, ultimately from Latin Dionysius, name of an important 6c. Church father, from Greek Dionysos, god of wine and revelry.
denominate (v.)
"to name, give a name to," 1550s, from Latin denominatus, past participle of denominare "to name," from de- "completely" (see de-) + nominare "to name," from nomen "name" (from PIE root *no-men- "name"). In 15c.-17c. sometimes Englished as dename. Related: Denominated; denominating.
denominational (adj.)
"pertaining to a religious denomination or sect," 1838; see denomination + -al (1). Related: Denominationalism "tendency to divide into sects or denominations, inclination to emphasize distinguishing characteristics as opposed to general principles" (1845).
denominator (n.)
1540s, in mathematics, "that term of a fraction which indicates the value of the fractional unit" (commonly the number written below the numerator or dividend), from Medieval Latin denominator, agent noun from past-participle stem of denominare "to name," from de- "completely" (see de-) + nominare "to name," from nomen "name" (from PIE root *no-men- "name"). As "one who or that which gives a name," 1570s.
denominative (adj.)
1610s, "having the quality of naming," from Late Latin denominativus, from Latin denominat-, past-participle stem of denominare "to name," from de- "completely" (see de-) + nominare "to name," from nomen "name" (from PIE root *no-men- "name"). Of words, "constituting a distinct appellation," 1630s. As a noun, 1580s, "that which denominates or describes;" in grammar, 1630s, "word formed or derived from a noun."
denomination (n.)
late 14c., denominacioun, "a naming, act of giving a name to," from Old French denominacion "nominating, naming," from Latin denominationem (nominative denominatio) "a calling by anything other than the proper name, metonymy," noun of action from past-participle stem of denominare "to name," from de- "completely" (see de-) + nominare "to name," from nomen "name" (from PIE root *no-men- "name").
From mid-15c. as "a class name, a collective designation," of things; of persons, "a society or collection of individuals," 1660s. From the first comes the monetary sense (1650s) from the second the meaning "religious sect" (1716).
denotation (n.)
1530s, "indication, act of indicating by a name or sign," from Late Latin denotationem (nominative denotatio), noun of action from past-participle stem of Latin denotare "denote, mark out," from de- "completely" (see de-) + notare "to mark, note, make a note" (see note (v.)). Sense of "meaning or signification of a term" is from 1610s. As a term in logic, "that which a word denotes, names, or marks" (contrasted with connotation) from 1843. Related: Denotational.
denotative (adj.)
"having power to denote," 1610s, from Latin denotat-, past-participle stem of denotare (see denote) + -ive. Related: Denotatively.
denotate (v.)
"to denote, signify; to note down, describe," 1590s, a back-formation from denotation, or else from past-participle stem of Latin denotare "denote, mark out," from de- "completely" (see de-) + notare "to mark, note, make a note" (see note (v.)). Related: Denotated; denotating.
denote (v.)
1590s, "mark off from others; identify by a mark; be the sign or symptom of," from French dénoter (14c.), from Latin denotare "denote, mark out," from de- "completely" (see de-) + notare "to mark, note, make a note" (see note (v.)). Related: Denoted; denoting.
denouement (n.)
"the solution of a mystery, the winding up of a plot, the outcome of a course of conduct," 1752, from French dénouement "an untying" (of plot), from dénouer "untie" (Old French desnouer) from des- "un-, out" (see dis-) + nouer "to tie, knot," from Latin nodus "a knot," from PIE root *ned- "to bind, tie."
denounce (v.)
early 14c., "announce, make known in a formal manner" (a sense now obsolete), from Old French denoncier (12c., Modern French dénoncer) and directly from Latin denuntiare "to announce, proclaim; denounce, menace; command, order," from de- "down" + nuntiare "proclaim, announce," from nuntius "messenger" (from PIE root *neu- "to shout").
The negative sense in English developed (probably encouraged by other words in de-) via the meanings "proclaim as cursed, excommunicated, removed from office" (early 14c.); "formally or publicly threaten to do" (1630s); "declare or proclaim to be cursed, wicked, or evil" (1660s). The meaning "make formal or public accusation against, inform against, accuse" (especially in turning on one's co-conspirators) is from late 15c. Related: Denounced; denouncing.
de novo
Latin, "anew, afresh," hence "from the beginning," from ablative of novus "new" (see new).
dense (adj.)
early 15c., "closely compacted, thick," from Latin densus "thick, crowded; cloudy," which is of uncertain etymology, perhaps related to Greek dasys "hairy, shaggy; thick with leaves," as a grammatical term, "aspirated," but even this is in doubt. Figurative sense of "difficult to penetrate" (of writing, etc.) is from 1732; that of "stupid" is first recorded 1822. Related: Densely; denseness.
densimeter (n.)
"apparatus for ascertaining the comparative density of a solid or liquid," 1848; see dense + -meter.
density (n.)
c. 1600, "quality of being very close or compact," from French densité (16c.), from Old French dempsité (13c.), from Latin densitas "thickness," from densus "thick, dense" (see dense). In physics, "the mass of matter per unit of bulk," 1660s.
*dent-
Proto-Indo-European root meaning "tooth."
It forms all or part of: al dente; dandelion; dental; dentifrice; dentist; dentition; denture; glyptodon; indent (v.1) "to make notches;" mastodon; orthodontia; periodontal; teethe; tooth; toothsome; tusk; trident.
It is the hypothetical source of/evidence for its existence is provided by: Sanskrit danta, Greek odontos (gen.), Latin dens, Lithuanian dantis, Old Irish det, Welsh dent, Old English toð, German Zahn, Gothic tunþus "tooth."
dent (n.)
early 14c., "a strike or blow," dialectal variant of Middle English dint, dunt (see dint); sense of "indentation, hollow mark made by a blow or pressure" is by 1560s, apparently by influence of indent.
dent (v.)
"make a dent or small hollow in by a blow or pressure," late 14c., from dent (n.). Middle English had dinten, dunten "beat with blows" (mid-13c.), from the earlier form of the noun. Related: Dented; denting.
dental (adj.)
1590s, "of or pertaining to teeth," from French dental "of teeth" or Medieval Latin dentalis, from Latin dens (genitive dentis) "tooth" (from PIE root *dent- "tooth"). As "connected with or used in dentistry," 1826. In grammar, "formed or pronounced at or near the front upper teeth, with the tip or front of the tongue," 1590s. As a noun, "sound formed by placing the end of the tongue against or near the upper teeth," 1794. Related: Dentally; dentality.
dentate (adj.)
"toothed, having tooth-like projections, notched," 1770, from Latin dentatus "toothed, having teeth," from dens (genitive dentis) "tooth," from PIE root *dent- "tooth." Related: Dentation (1802).
dentifrice (n.)
early 15c., dentifricie, "substance used in cleaning the teeth," from Latin dentifricium "powder for rubbing the teeth," from dens (genitive dentis) "tooth" (from PIE root *dent- "tooth") + fricare "to rub" (see friction).
dentiloquy (n.)
"act or practice of speaking through the teeth or with the teeth closed," 1737, from Latin dens (genitive dentis) "tooth" (from PIE root *dent- "tooth") + -loquy, from Latin loqui "to speak" (from PIE root *tolkw- "to speak"). Related: Dentiloquist.
dentin (n.)
also dentine, the bone-like substance in teeth (as distinguished from enamel or pulp), 1836, from combining form of Latin dens (genitive dentis) "tooth" (from PIE root *dent- "tooth") + chemical suffix -in (2). Related: Dentinal.
dentist (n.)
"one whose profession is to clean and extract teeth, repair them when diseased, and replace them when necessary with artificial ones," 1759, from French dentiste, from dent "tooth," from Latin dens (from PIE root *dent- "tooth") + -ist.
(Tooth-drawer is attested from late 14c.). Related: Dentistic; dentistical.
dentistry (n.)
"the art or profession of a dentist," 1803; see dentist + -ry.
dentition (n.)
1610s, "teething, the cutting of teeth," from Latin dentitionem (nominative dentitio) "teething," noun of action from past-participle stem of dentire "to cut the teeth," from dens (genitive dentis) "tooth," from PIE root *dent- "tooth." Meaning "the kind, number, and arrangement of teeth" is from 1849.
denture (n.)
"the provision of teeth in the jaws," especially "a set of artificial teeth," 1845, from French denture "set of teeth," from Latin dens (genitive dentis, "tooth," from PIE root *dent- "tooth") + -ure (see -ure). In Middle English, the word meant "an indenture; a zigzag course" (c. 1400). Related: Dentures.
denuclearize (v.)
also denuclearise, "to deprive of nuclear arms, remove nuclear weapons from," 1958; see de- + nuclear + -ize. Related: Denuclearized; denuclearization.