D Archives | Page 14 of 32

Dirigible or blimp

A dirigible and a blimp are both airships, but with different characteristics. We will look at the difference between the terms dirigible and blimp, where the words come from and some examples of their use in sentences. The word dirigible literally describes something that is capable of being directed or steered. The word dirigible is an adjective, though it is rarely used as an adjective anymore. It has come to mean a steerable airship. Originally the term was dirigible airship …

Desolate vs destitute

by Grammarist

The words desolate and destitute are often confused. We will examine the definitions of desolate and destitute, the origins of the two words and some examples of their use in sentences. Desolate means deserted, devastated or laid waste, without hope, forlorn, unhappy, lonely. Desolate may be used as an adjective or a transitive verb, which is a verb that takes an object. Related words are desolates, desolated, desolating, desolation, desolately, desolateness. The word desolate is derived from the Latin word …

Duplicate vs replicate

by Grammarist

Duplicate and replicate are two words that are sometimes confusing. Their meanings are similar, but there is a slight difference. We will look at the definitions of the words duplicate and replicate, where the terms come from and some examples of their use in sentences. Duplicate means to make a copy of something, to have an exact pair of something, to reproduce an exact copy from an original. Duplicate may be used as a noun, verb or adjective. Related words …

Plaintiff vs defendant

by Grammarist

The words plaintiff and defendant are both legal terms and are often confused. We will look at the meanings of the words plaintiff and defendant, as well as their origins and some examples of their use in sentences. Plaintiff describes the person who brings a civil suit in a court of law. The plaintiff is the party who must prove that they have been injured by the actions of another. The word plaintiff is only used in civil court cases, …

Defenestration

by Grammarist

The word defenestration was coined to describe a very specific historic incident. We’ll examine the meaning of the word defenestration, the historic incident that spawned it and some examples of its use in sentences. Defenestration is the act of tossing a person out a window. Defenestration also has a figurative meaning, which is to dismiss someone from a place of power. The root word of defenestration is fenestra, which is the Latin word for window. The Latin prefix de- means …

Deepnet, darknet and deep web

by Grammarist

Deepnet, darknet and deep web are three terms that nearly mean the same thing. We’ll look at the definition of these terms, the origins and some examples of their use in sentences. Websites that are not indexed by search engines are said to exist on the deepnet. Websites on the deepnet may be on an intranet designed only for use inside a company or a private website meant only to be viewed by a group of family or friends. Websites …

Demon vs daemon

by Grammarist

The words demon and daemon are spelled in a similar fashion and have similar meanings with very specific differences. We will look at the definitions of the terms demon and daemon, the difference between the two, the origin of their meanings and some examples of their use in sentences. A demon is an evil spirit, a devil, an inhabitant of hell. Demons are often depicted with horns, a pointed tail, cloves hood and grotesques faces. Demon may also be used figuratively …

Dudgeon vs dungeon

by Grammarist

Dudgeon and dungeon are pronounced and spelled in a similar fashion, but mean two very different things. We’ll discuss the difference between the words dudgeon and dungeon, their origins, and examine a few sentences using these words. Dudgeon means a state of extreme indignation, the feeling of being deeply offended. An archaic meaning of the word dudgeon is the wood used in the hilt of a dagger, though this definition does not seem to have any relation to the current …

$Do the Math – Idiom Meaning Origin 1$

Do the Math – Idiom, Meaning & Origin

by Candace Osmond

Ready to put on your mental arithmetic hats? We’re dissecting an idiom that will have you crunching numbers metaphorically, and that phrase is do the math. Don’t worry, though. I promise it’s more about language than algebra! Is It Do the Math or Do the Maths? Since both math and maths are quick versions of the word mathematics, you could use both phrases and still be correct. Do the math is more common in America, and do the maths is …

Deus ex machina

by Grammarist

Deus ex machina is a Latin phrase that is most often used to discuss literature. While the term dates from around 1690, the idea is much older. We’ll discuss the meaning of the phrase deus ex machina, its origins, and look at some examples of the term’s use.. Deus ex machina describes an event that occurs unexpectedly in order to intervene in a seemingly hopeless situation. Most often, deus ex machina is used to describe a plot device that comes …

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