Descriptionary

detrimental adj. (det ri MENT ul) damaging. Smok­ing is detrimental to your health.

devil's advocate n. one who represents an opposing side simply for the sake of argument or as an exercise. I don't really believe that everyone should own a gun, but in debate class I like to play the devil's advocate.

diabolical adj. (di yuh BOL uh kul) of the devil; fiendish. Beware of diabolical powers unleashed on Halloween.

diatribe n. (DYE uh tribe) a critical denunciation.

My editor wrote a long-winded diatribe criticizing not only my article but also my viewpoint.

dichotomy n. (di KOT uh mee) a division com­prising two opposing viewpoints. There is a broad dichotomy of opinion between the sexes.

didactic adj. (dye DAK tik) educational, particu­larly concerning morals. The Sunday school teacher put on a didactic skit about stealing.

dilapidated adj. (di LAP i dayt ud) run-down; fall­ing apart. The next stiff wind would probably knock down the old, dilapidated building.

dilettante adj. (DIL i TAHNT) one who dabbles in the arts or has an amateurish knowledge of a field. I love poetry, but when it comes to writing it, I'm strictly a dilettante.

diligent adj. (DIL uh junt) hard-working and perse­vering. She was a diligent worker who would not quit until the job was done right.

diplomacy n. (di PLOH muh see) the act and skill of cultivating and maintaining good relationships with others; tact, in international or personal relations. The highest form of diplomacy must be employed to pre­vent international hostilities from exploding into war.

disaffected adj. (dis uh FEK tid) full of resentment; alienated. Disaffected, the laid-off workers staged a demonstration against the company.

disarming adj. (dis ARM ing) hostility-reducing, often through charm. The beauty pageant winner's smile was disarming and tended to dampen any hos­tility felt toward her by the losers.

discerning adj. (di SUR ning) highly perceptive; sharp in judgment. The judge cast a discerning eye over the defendants.

disclaimer n. (dis KLAYM ur) a statement that releases one from legal liability. Manufacturers of dangerous products must issue public disclaimers in order to protect themselves from lawsuits.

disconcerted adj. (DIS kun SURT ed) disturbed; upset. Dogs are often disconcerted by the sounds of an approaching thunderstorm.

discord n. (DIS kord) conflict and disagreement. There was a great discord among the panelists as the debate began.

discreet adj. (dis KREET) unobtrusive, tactful, and low-key. If you must burp at the dinner table, please be discreet.

disdain n. (dis DAYN) contempt. I feel nothing but disdain toward those who abuse animals.