Words Starting With "D"

Our pre-recorded sounds are fast, clear, and natural, spoken by native speakers.

Degerminated

speak

De germanated refers to the removal of the germ or embryo from a seed, usually done to make the seed easier to store or transport. This process is often done to corn, wheat, and rice to remove the embryo and any antinutrients, making it more palatable and increasing its shelf life.

Deglaciation

speak

De-glaciation refers to the process of a glacier melting or receding due to changes in the Earth's climate or other environmental factors. This can cause the ice sheets to shrink, exposing previously glaciated areas and altering the surrounding landscape.

Deglaze

speak

To deglaze a pan refers to the process of scraping and dissolving the caramelized residue, or fond, from the bottom of a pan, usually with a liquid such as wine, vinegar, or broth, to create a flavorful sauce or gravy. This technique is often used in cooking to enhance the flavor of dishes, particularly in sauces and soups.

Deglazing

speak

Deleglazing is a culinary technique where a small amount of liquid, typically wine, broth, or spirits, is added to a hot pan to deglaze the surface. This process loosens and removes the browned bits of food, called the "fond," from the bottom of the pan, and can be used to create a savory sauce or gravy.

Degloving

speak

Degloving is a medical term that refers to the peeling away of the skin from the underlying tissue, often caused by blunt trauma, burns, or other injuries. It can also occur due to surgical procedures or medical conditions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Deglutination

speak

De-glutination refers to the process of eliminating or removing swallowed air or gas from the digestive system. It is often used in medical contexts, particularly in endoscopy procedures, to remove air or gas that has accumulated in the digestive tract.

Deglutition

speak

Deqlutition refers to the act of swallowing or the process of moving food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach through the esophagus. It is a natural reflex that helps to digest and absorb nutrients in the body.

Deglutitions

speak

Debridement, not deglutitions, refers to the removal of dead tissue, foreign material, or debris from a wound or affected area, typically done to promote healing and prevent infection.

Deglutitious

speak

The word "deglutitious" refers to something that assists in swallowing or aids in the process of swallowing. It can also describe a substance or food that is easy to swallow.

Deglutitive

speak

De-glutitive refers to the process of reversing or undoing a swallowing action, specifically the act of bringing food or liquid back up from the esophagus into the mouth. It can also be used to describe a medical procedure, known as deglutition, where food or liquids are removed from the esophagus and returned to the mouth.

Deglutitory

speak

The word "deglutitory" refers to a type of muscle that helps to move food and liquids down the throat and into the esophagus during swallowing. Deglutitory muscles work together to govern the movement of the tongue, the epiglottis, and the larynx in order to facilitate this process.

Deglycation

speak

Deglycation is a process in biochemistry where the glucose molecule is removed from a protein or lipid, which can prevent or reverse the harm caused by advanced glycosylation end-products (AGEs). AGEs are formed when sugar molecules bind to proteins or lipids, leading to oxidative stress and inflammation, which are associated with various diseases, such as diabetes, Alzheimer's, and atherosclerosis. Deglycation is considered a potential therapeutic approach to mitigate these diseases by reversing the damage caused by AGEs.

Degradability

speak

The term "degradability" refers to the ability of something to break down or decompose over time, often in response to environmental factors such as heat, light, or moisture. In biological contexts, degradability typically refers to the rate at which organisms or tissues break down or decay after death. In a broader sense, degradability can also refer to the rate at which materials or substances can be degraded or destroyed, often due to chemical or physical processes.

Degradable

speak

Capable of being broken down or decomposed, especially by natural processes; prone to deterioration or decay, often in a physical or environmental sense.

Degradate

speak

To degrade something or someone means to reduce or lower its quality, value, or dignity. It can also mean to punish or torment someone, often in a humiliating or dehumanizing way.

Degradated

speak

Degraded refers to something that has become worse or lowered in quality, value, or condition as a result of wear, decay, or neglect. It can also mean to make something worse or to reduce its value or quality.

Degradates

speak

The word "degradates" is the plural form of the verb "degrade". <br><br>To degrade something means to lower its quality, value, or condition. It can also mean to speak or behave in a way that is insulting or humiliating towards someone, which can lead to a loss of self-respect or dignity.

Degradation

speak

The word "degradation" refers to the act of lowering or reducing something to a lower state or quality. It can also refer to the process of making someone or something cruelly subservient to their masters. Additionally, it can also refer to a decline in moral standards or a weakening of a person's physical or mental health due to various factors.

Degradations

speak

Degradations refer to the act of reducing something or someone in rank, quality, importance, or dignity, often in a deliberate or intentional manner. This can also involve a decrease in value, standard, or condition. Conversely, degradations can also describe a state of feeling or being belittled, humiliated, or treated unfairly, leading to a decline in one's self-esteem or confidence.

Degradative

speak

Debilitating or causing to deteriorate.

Degrade

speak

To degrade means to lower or reduce the quality, value, or condition of something, often to a lower or worse state. It can also mean to treat someone unfairly or cruelly, especially by making them feel humiliated or ashamed.

Degraded

speak

The word "degraded" refers to something that has become worse or of a lower quality in terms of standards, value, or status. It can also imply a loss of dignity, prestige, or respect. In essence, something that has been degraded has lost its original value, beauty, or integrity.

Degrades

speak

to make (something or someone) worse or less good over time; to lower or diminish the quality, value, or dignity of something or someone.

Degrading

speak

The word "degrading" is an adjective that means causing a decrease in dignity, quality, or moral values. It can also refer to the act of diminishing or humiliating someone or something. In a broader sense, it can describe a situation or process that leads to a decline or degradation of something, such as the environment, a person's mental health, or a social institution.

Degradingly

speak

In a way that is degrading or humiliating, especially done to someone in a position of power or authority; in a manner that diminishes or belittles someone's dignity or stature.

Degranulation

speak

Degranulation is a medical term that refers to the release of granules from cells, typically mast cells or neutrophils, which contain chemical mediators such as histamine, serotonin, and other bioactive molecules. This release triggers the body's inflammatory response, leading to allergic reactions, anaphylaxis, or other acute responses.

Degrease

speak

To remove or reduce grease or fat from a surface, object, or substance.

Degreased

speak

The adjective "degreased" means having had fat or oil removed, typically through the use of a solvent or cleansing agent. It can also imply that something is slippery or smooth, as if grease or oil has been removed from its surface.

Degreaser

speak

A degreaser is a chemical or solvent used to clean surfaces, especially machinery or equipment, by dissolving and removing grease, oil, or other lubricants. Degreasers are commonly used in industrial settings, such as garages, factories, and workshops, to maintain cleanliness and prevent corrosion.

Degreasing

speak

The verb "degreasing" means to remove grease or oil from a surface, often in the context of industrial or mechanical cleaning. For example, a degreaser may be used to clean machinery or equipment to remove oil and grease that has accumulated on them.

Degree

speak

A degree is a measure of the quantity or amount of something. It can be used to describe the magnitude or extent of a characteristic or quality, such as the degree of heat, degree of difficulty, or degree of complexity.<br><br>In education, a degree is an academic qualification awarded by a university or college after a student completes a course of study in a specific subject or field.<br><br>In more general usage, degree can also refer to a sense of scope or extent, as in "what's the degree of damage?" or "what's the degree of his involvement?"

Degrees

speak

The word "degrees" can refer to several different concepts. <br><br>1. Temperature: Degrees is a unit of temperature measurement, commonly used to express the temperature in Fahrenheit or Celsius. For example, "The temperature outside is 25 degrees Celsius."<br>2. Academic: A degree is an academic qualification awarded by a university or college, indicating that a student has completed a course of study. For example, "She earned a degree in engineering from Harvard University."<br>3. Angle: Degree is also used to measure the amount of rotation between two lines or planes. For example, "The roof has a degree of 45 degrees to provide maximum sunlight."<br>4. Level: In informal contexts, degrees can refer to levels or stages, for example, "The new restaurant is on a high degree of success."<br><br>In summary, degrees can refer to temperature, academic qualifications, angles or levels, depending on the context in which it is used.

Degressive

speak

Descriptive adjective meaning: decreasing in amount, size, or intensity. Example: "The company experienced a degressive profit margin over the past year due to increased competition."

Degrowth

speak

Degrowth is a concept that suggests a reduction in economic growth, often by intentionally slowing down or reversing the growth of an economy. This idea is often associated with environmentalism and sustainability, as it is believed that uncontrolled and exponential economic growth can lead to environmental degradation, resource depletion, and social inequality.<br><br>Degrowth advocates for a shift away from the traditional economic model of perpetual growth, which is often driven by consumerism and the exploitation of natural resources. Instead, degrowth proponents suggest that a more equitable and sustainable society can be achieved by prioritizing social and environmental well-being over economic growth.<br><br>Some of the key principles of degrowth include:<br><br>1. Reducing consumption and waste: Degrowth advocates for reducing the amount of goods and services consumed, and increasing the efficiency of resource use.<br>2. Rethinking work and leisure: Degrowth suggests that people should work fewer hours and have more time for leisure, personal development, and community involvement.<br>3. Promoting local economies: Degrowth promotes local economies and self-sufficiency, rather than globalized and centralized economic systems.<br>4. Prioritizing social and environmental well-being: Degrowth prioritizes social and environmental well-being over economic growth, and seeks to reduce the negative impacts of economic activity on the environment.<br><br>Degrowth is not the same as economic contraction or recession, which are often involuntary and have negative consequences for individuals and society. Degrowth, on the other hand, is a deliberate and intentional choice to prioritize social and environmental well-being over economic growth.

Degu

speak

A degu is a small, nocturnal rodent that is native to South America. Its scientific name is Octodontomys degus. Degus are also known as brush-tailed rats or South American hairless mice. They are popular pets due to their large eyes, bushy tails, and social behavior. Despite their rodent nature, degus are known to be friendly and curious animals.

Degum

speak

To degum is a process in food processing, especially in vegetable oil production, where the gums or sticky substances are removed from the oil or other liquid to make it clearer and more compatible with other ingredients.