Dilemma
in logic, a choice between two unwelcome conclusions. The two conclusions are called the horns of the dilemma. The following illustration, borrowed from Chambers, will perhaps convey a clearer idea than any definition. "If this man were wise, he would not speak irreverently of Scripture in jest; and if he were good, he would not do so in earnest; but he does it, either in jest or earnest; therefore, he is either not wise, or not good." The term is applied also, but less correctly, to a state of affairs in which one is uncertain which of two courses to pursue. A politician, for instance, who fears to vote for high license lest he offend the saloon element, and who fears to vote against high license lest he lose the support of the anti-saloon element, is said to be in a dilemma. Whichever way he turns he is likely to be gored.
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Dilke
SIR CHARLES WENT- WORTH, an English publicist and critical and political writer; born in London, Sept. 4, 1843. A brilliant but checkered political career has been varied by literary work: "Greater Britain" (1868), a record of travel in the English colonies; "Problems of Greater Britain" (1890), political and economic studies; and various essays on current topics, worthy in conception and charming in style. He died in 1911.
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Dillon
JOHN, an Irish politician; son of John Blake Dillon (1816-1866), who was a prominent member of the Young Ireland party, and member of the JOHN DILLON British Parliament for County Tipperary in 1865-1866; born in New York, in 1851; was educated at the Catholic University of Dublin, after which he became a doctor. He early identified himself with the Parnellite movement, and in 1880 was elected to Parliament for County Tipperary. In the House of Commons Dilthe became prominent for lon violence of his language, while speeches soon delivered by him in Ireland led to his imprisonment in 1881. 1881-1882, and 1888. From 1883 to 1885 he was absent 24-Vol. III-Cyc from political life on account of illhealth; but in the latter year he reappeared, and was elected for East Mayo. He was one of the most prominent promoters of the "Plan of Campaign." In 1896 he succeeded Justin McCarthy as chairman of the main section of the Nationalist party. In 1901 he accepted the leadership of John Redmond in the reconstituted nationalist party, and worked actively as his lieutenant.
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Dime
a United States silver coin, being equivalent to ten cents, or one-tenth of a dollar. The term is a contraction of the French dixieme, meaning the tenth. The first American dime was coined in 1796. The dime has been in continuous circulation, except when displaced by paper money , ever since. Though of less value, the American dime corresponds to the English sixpence. "Take care of the dimes, and the dollars will take care of themselves," is a thrifty American proverb. A well worn couplet runs: Dimes and dollars, dollars and dimes, An empty pocket is the worst of crimes.
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Dimension
in algebra, a literal factor of a product or term; also called a degree; thus ab is an expression of three dimensions. A simple equation is said to be of one dimension. A quadratic of two, a cubic of three, and so on. In geometry, extension in a single line or direction. A line is extended in one direction, or has one dimension, that is length; a surface is extended in two directions, or has two dimensions, length and breadth; a solid is extended in three directions, or has three dimensions, length, breadth, and height or thickness.
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Diminutive
in grammar, a word derived from another to express a little thing of the same kind. The diminutive is formed usually by the addition of a syllable, called a diminutive-ending, as et, ette, let, kin, ling, ock, in, y, ie, ille, ule, etc. Thus we have: Cooky, a small cake. Rivulet, a small river. Babykin, a young baby. Peterkin, little Peter. Floret, a tiny flower. Wagonette, a low wagon. Storiette, a short story. Molecule, a small mole or mass. Hillock, a low hill. Duckling, a young duck. Gosling, a young goose.
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Dimity
a sheer, fine cotton dress fabric, characterized by tiny raised cords running warpwise of the web. Dimity is usually finished white, but both colored and printed dimities are on the market. The name is supposed to have been derived from Greek words signifying two threaded, and to have been applied to stuffs showing two warp threads or cords thrown into relief on the surface of the goods. The original materials were silk and wool. At present, the name is used exclusively for cotton fabrics. A heavy, corded cotton fabric dyed in plain colors and printed, used for furniture covering, drapery, etc., is likewise called dimity.
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Dimorphism
the power of assuming or crystallizing in two distinct forms. Sulphur, for instance, which usually crystallizes in the rhombic system when melted, may form monoclinohedric crystals. The same chemical substance may form two or even more distinct bodies or mineral species. Thus carbon in one form is the diamond, in another graphite; and carbonate of lime appears as calcspar or as arragonite.
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Dinan
a town in the department of Côtes-du-Nord, France, situated on the Rance, 15 miles S. of Saint-Malo. It has an old castle, the cathedral of St. The Sauveur, and a valuable museum. manufactures include agricultural implements, linen, wooden goods, barges, cider and sugar. The town has relics going back to the Romans. Pop. about 12,000.
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Dinant
a town of Belgium, in the province of Namur. It is on the Meuse river. Prior to the World War it had many noteworthy buildings, including the church of Notre-Dame, and the city hall, which was once the palace of the princes of Liège. There were important manufactures, including paper mills, carpet factories, breweries, tanneries, etc. The city was notable for its production of metal ware and glass work. Dinant suffered severely during the German invasion of Belgium in 1914. Pop. about 8,000.
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Dinaric Alps
the name applied to the mountains connecting the Julian Julian Alps with the Balkan system. The main range stretches from N. W. to S. E., separating Dalmatia from Bosnia and Herzegovina, as far as the mouth of the Narenta; and a minor chain extends through the Dalmatian coast country. The mountains are principally calcareous; the highest summits are Orjen (6,225) and Dinara (5,940), and the mean height is 2,300 feet. D'INDY (PAUL MARIE THÉO- DORE), VINCENT, a French composer, He was born at Paris, 1851, and was educated in Paris schools, becoming a pupil of César Franck for musical composition, and chief of the choirs of the Concerts Colonne, 1874. He received the Grand Post for musical composition in 1885 and was the founder, with Charles Bordes, of the Schola Cantorum, of which he continued director after Bordes' death. He was professor at the Conservatoire and a member of the Commission de l'Enseignment musical of Paris. His publications include: "Franck," "Beethoven"; musical) "La Légende de Saint Christophe," a sacred drama, "Le Chant de la Cloche"; 3 symphonies; and other works.
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