Words Starting With "D"

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

Derriere

speak

Derrière is a French word that refers to the back or rear end of something or someone. It can also be used to refer to the buttocks or the posterior region of the human body.

Derring-do

speak

Derring-do is a somewhat archaic English phrase that means courage, bravery, or daring adventurousness. It is often used to describe bold or heroic actions, and is typically associated with a sense of chivalry or romance. The phrase is thought to have originated in the Middle English period and is often used in literature and poetry to add a touch of elegance and formality to its writing.

Derringer

speak

A derringer is a small, compact handgun that is designed to be easily concealed and carried. It is typically small in size, with a caliber ranging from .22 to .41, and is often used for self-defense or as a last resort. The term "derringer" is often used to refer to any small, concealable handgun, but technically, it refers specifically to a type of revolver designed by J. Edgar Deringer, who patented it in 1845.

Derringers

speak

Derringers are small, single-shot pistols that were designed to be hidden or carried in a pocket. They were often used as a tool for self-defense or in cases where a larger weapon would be impractical or excessive.

Deruyter

speak

Deruyter is a surname of Dutch origin. It is likely derived from the personal name Derick or Dirk, which is a shortened form of Richard. The surname Deruyter is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in Pennsylvania and New York, where many Dutch settlers arrived in the 17th and 18th centuries. It may also be spelled Deryuter, Deruitter, or other variations.

Dervis

speak

A mistake! I think you meant "derivatives".<br><br>A derivative is a word or phrase that is derived from another word or phrase. In linguistics, a derivative is a new word that is formed by adding a prefix, suffix, or infix to an existing word or several words. For example, "unhappy" is a derivative of "happy", or "smiling" is a derivative of "smile". In finance, a derivative is a financial instrument that has a value that is derived from the value of an underlying asset, such as a stock or a commodity.

Dervish

speak

A Dervish is a member of a Sufi Muslim order, particularly one of the Ismaili or Nizari Shias. Dervishes are known for their ecstatic and ritualistic practices, such as whirling, meditation, and chanting, which are intended to help them enter a state of spiritual ecstasy and become closer to God. The term is also used more broadly to describe any Sufi Muslim who practices these customs.

Dervishes

speak

Dervishes are members of a Sufi Muslim order known for their mystical practices, rituals, and ecstatic devotions. The word "dervish" (also spelled "darvesh" or "dervise") comes from the Turkish word "derviş", which means "poor" or "beggar". Dervishes are often associated with the whirling movements of the Sufi dance, also known as the sema, which is a way of expressing devotion and connection with God. They are found in various parts of the world, particularly in Anatolia (Turkey) and the Middle East.

Derwent

speak

Derwent is a brand name of art supplies, particularly high-quality pencils, and is often associated with artistic excellence and precision.

Desacralisation

speak

The word "desacralisation" refers to the process of taking something away from its sacred or revered status, often in a social or cultural context. It can also mean the loss of spiritual or emotional significance that something once had. In other words, desacralisation is the removal or erosion of a thing's sacred or hallowed nature.

Desacralization

speak

Desacralization refers to the process of removing the spiritual or sacred connotations from something, such as a place, object, or concept. This can occur when a previously revered or taboo object or practice is no longer seen as having special significance or power, or when its original meaning or context is lost or disregarded.

Desacrilised

speak

Desacrilized refers to something that has been stripped of its sacred or consecrated nature. It can also refer to something that has been divorced from its religious or spiritual significance. In a broader sense, the term can be used to describe something that has become profane or secularized, losing its original holy or revered status.

Desacrilized

speak

Desacrilized refers to something that has been removed or stripped of its sacred or holy qualities, often used to describe a place, ritual, or concept that has lost its original reverence or significance. In a broader sense, it can also refer to the process of removing religious or supernatural elements from something, typically in order to make it more secular or acceptable to a broader audience.

Desalinate

speak

To remove the salt and other minerals from seawater or brackish water to make it suitable for drinking, irrigation, or other uses.

Desalinated

speak

Desalinated refers to water that has been treated to remove salt and other minerals, making it suitable for drinking, irrigation, and other uses. The process of desalination involves removing these impurities from seawater or brackish water, often through methods such as reverse osmosis, distillation, or electrodialysis.

Desalinates

speak

Desalinates is the third person singular simple present tense of the verb "desalinate", which means to remove salt from seawater, brine, or other salty solutions, making it drinkable or suitable for use in other ways.

Desalinating

speak

Desalinating refers to the process of removing salt and other minerals from seawater to produce fresh water. It is often used to alleviate water scarcity in coastal areas where the availability of freshwater is limited.

Desalination

speak

Desalination is the process of removing salt and other minerals from seawater or brackish water to produce fresh water. This is typically done through various methods, such as reverse osmosis, distillation, or electrodialysis, to make the water suitable for human consumption, agriculture, or other purposes.

Desalinator

speak

A desalinator is a device or process that converts seawater or brackish water into fresh water, removing the high concentrations of salt and other minerals that make it undrinkable.

Desalinisation

speak

Desalination is the process of removing salt and other minerals from seawater or brackish water to produce fresh water. This is done through various methods, such as reverse osmosis, distillation, or electro-dialysis, which can be used to provide fresh water for drinking, agriculture, or industrial purposes.

Desalinised

speak

Desalinated means to remove salt and other minerals from seawater or brackish water to produce freshwater.

Desalinization

speak

Desalination is the process of removing salt and other minerals from seawater or brackish water to produce fresh water. It is a vital method for providing clean drinking water to communities in coastal areas and islands where traditional sources of fresh water are scarce or unavailable.

Desalinized

speak

Desalinized refers to salt-free or salt-removed water, typically obtained through the process of desalination, which involves removing salts and other minerals from sea water or brackish water to produce fresh water suitable for human consumption, agriculture, or industrial use.

Desalter

speak

A desalter is a unit in a refinery or oil processing plant that removes salt and other inorganic impurities from crude oil, so that it can be further refined and processed into petroleum products.

Desalting

speak

Desalting refers to the process of removing salt or other substances from seawater or brackish water to make it suitable for human consumption, agriculture, or other purposes. It involves various methods such as distillation, reverse osmosis, or electrodialysis to break down the salt molecules and separate them from the water.

Desanguination

speak

Desanguination refers to the act of bleeding or draining of blood from a person or animal, often as a punishment, torture, or as a consequence of injury or surgery.

Desaturase

speak

Desaturase is a type of enzyme that is involved in the biosynthesis of fatty acids. It catalyzes the removal of double bonds from unsaturated fatty acids, converting them into more saturated fatty acids.

Desaturases

speak

Desaturases are enzymes that remove double bonds from fatty acids, resulting in the formation of unsaturated fatty acids from saturated fatty acids.

Desaturate

speak

To desaturate means to reduce or remove the brightness or intensity of a color, making it less vibrant or intense.

Desaturated

speak

Desaturated refers to a color that has been reduced in its intensity or brightness, often resulting in a more muted or faded appearance. In other words, a desaturated color lacks its original vibrancy or saturation, and may appear grayish or washed out.

Desaturation

speak

Desaturation refers to the loss or reduction of color in something, making it appear more grayish or pale. In medicine, desaturation specifically refers to a decrease in the level of oxygen in the blood, becoming less saturated with oxygen.

Descale

speak

Descale means to remove mineral deposits, such as lime scale, from a surface, typically a pipe or container, especially in order to restore its original function or appearance.

Descaled

speak

Removed the mineral deposits (such as lime scale) that can form on surfaces.

Descaler

speak

A descaler is a substance or treatment that removes mineral deposits, such as limescale or hard water stains, from surfaces, particularly from appliances and plumbing fixtures. It is often used to prevent the formation of mineral buildup, which can reduce water flow and affect the performance of these devices.

Descaling

speak

The verb "descale" means to remove mineral deposits, usually limestone or calcium carbonate, from a surface or object. This is often done to restore its original appearance, function, or purity.

Descant

speak

A descant is a musical harmony accompaniment that adds sparkling, ornamental notes to a melody, often sung by a higher-pitched vocalist. It can also refer to a commentary or an explanatory note that is added to a main text or theme, often providing deeper insight or interpretation.