Dabber. A tool used in etching to distribute the etching-ground over a plate of metal in the first process of engraving, and, in printing from copper-plate engraving and woodcuts, to spread the ink.

Dactyliography or Dactyliology, Gen. (δακτύλιος, a ring). The study of rings.

Dactyliotheca, Gr. (δακτυλιο-θήκη, a ringbox). (1) A glass case or casket containing rings. (2) A collection of rings, engraved stones, or precious stones. (See Glyptotheca.)

Dactylus, Gr. (δάκτυλος, a finger). The Roman digitus; a finger-breadth, the 16th part of a foot.

Dado, Arch. (1) The part of a pedestal between the base and the cornice. (2) In apartments, an arrangement of moulding, &c., round the lower part of the wall.

Dædal. A fanciful word coined by the poet Spenser, for “variegated in design.”

Dædala, Gr. Ancient images preserved in sanctuaries in memory of Dædalus, to whom were attributed the greater number of those works of art the origin of which was unknown. Hence the name was especially attributed to certain wooden statues, ornamented with gilding, bright colours, and real drapery, which were the earliest known form of images of the gods.

Dædala, Gr. (δαίδαλα). Festivals in honour of Hera, celebrated in Bœotia.

Dæmon, Daimon, Gr. (δαίμων). The good genius who watched over an individual during his whole life, like the Latin Lar and Genius. It was the belief of Socrates that he was guided by his Daimon in every important act and thought of his life. The word has a general meaning of “Divinity.”

Dag or Dagge. Old English name of a pistol.

Dagges, O. E. Ornamental cutting of the edges of garments, introduced into England about 1346. (See the illustration to Cointise, Fig. 177).

Dagob, Hindoo. A conical tumulus or shrine in which relics and images of Buddha were worshipped.

Dag-swain, O. E. A sort of rough material of which coverlets for beds, tables, or floors were made.

Daguerreotype. A kind of photography on plates of silver, named after M. Daguerre, the inventor.

Daidies, Gr. (from δαίω, to kindle). A festival held at Athens, during which torches were lit; it lasted three days.

Dais, Chr. An architectural structure, decorated with sculptures and ornaments, which serves as a canopy for an altar, throne, pulpit, chair (cathedra), statue, or group. Fig. 235 represents a stone dais of the St. Anne door in the cathedral of Paris.

Dais. In Anglo-Saxon houses, and generally; a covered seat of honour, at the upper end of the hall, on a raised floor. (“In all the houses of the wealthy in China there are two raised seats at the end of the reception-room, with a table between them.” Fortune.) (See Deas.)

Dalmahoy, O. E. A kind of bushy bob-wig, worn especially by chemists; 18th century.

Dalmatic. A long robe or upper tunic partly opening at the sides, so named from its being of Dalmatian origin; an ecclesiastical vestment; also a portion of the coronation robes of sovereign princes. It was usually made of white silk with purple stripes, occasionally of other colours, the left sleeve only being ornamented; the right was plain for convenience. As early as the reign of Richard I., the dalmatic is mentioned amongst the coronation robes. (Fig. 236.) (See Colobium, Deacon.)

Damara or Dammar. A resin used for varnishes. It is a valuable substitute for mastic.

Damaretion. A Sicilian coin, supposed to have been of gold, equal in value to a half-stater.

Damas (or Damascus) Pottery Ware. The commercial name in the 16th century for a large class of wares, now generally known as Persian.

Damascening, or Damaskeening, is the art of incrusting one metal on another, not in crusta, but in the form of wire, which by undercutting and hammering is thoroughly incorporated with the metal it is intended to ornament. (See Damask, Damascus Blades.) The process of etching slight ornaments on polished steel wares is also called Damascening. (Fig. 237.)

Damascus Blades are prepared of a cast steel highly charged with carbon, which, being tempered by a peculiar process, assumes the manycoloured watered appearance by which they are known. The process is called Damascening (q.v.).

Damask. A rich fabric, woven with large patterns, in silk, linen, wool, or even cotton, originally made at Damascus. (See Fig. 88.)

Dames, O. E. The old name for the game of draughts, represented early in the 14th century. The pieces were originally square.

Danace (δανάκη). The obolus which was placed in the mouth of the dead to pay the passage of the Styx.

Dance of the Corybantes. (See Corybantica.)

Dance of Death, Danse Macabre, Chr. Paintings, illuminations, or sculptures in bas-relief, representing men dancing under the eye of Death, who presides at this dance. In some instances the performers are skeletons and corpses. The most celebrated Dance of Death was that painted in fresco by Holbein in the cloister of the Dominicans at Basle. It has been destroyed by fire, but the etching-needle has preserved it for us. Other examples that may be named are, that in the new church at Strasburg, that of Lucerne, that in the palace at Dresden, and—most ancient of all—that at Minden, in Westphalia, which dates from 1380.

Dancette, Arch. The chevron or zigzag moulding peculiar to Norman architecture. (See Chevron.)

Dangu Faience. Pottery from a manufactory near Gisors in France, established in 1753.

Daphnephoria (δάφνη, a laurel). A festival held in honour of Apollo every ninth year at Thebes, in which the assistants carried laurel branches.

Dara, Ind. A kind of tambourine.

Darabukkeh. An Egyptian drum, unaltered from ancient times.

Daric Money. A Persian gold coin, stamped on one side with the figure of an archer kneeling, and on the other with a deep cleft, and to which the name of Daric money has been given by numismatists. Its proper name is the Stater of Dareius I., king of Persia. Its value is about 1l. 1s. 10d.

Darned Netting (needlework). (See Lacis.)

Datatim ludere, R. To play with a ball (“catch-ball”).

Davenport Pottery is the produce of a manufactory of fine faience established at Longport in England by John Davenport in 1793.

Day, Arch. Part of a window: the same as Bay.

Deacon, Chr. A dalmatic, or an alb; i. e. a deacon’s vestment.

Dead-boot, O. E., Chr. Prayers for the dead.

Dealbatus, R. (dealbo, to whiten over). Covered with a coating of stucco (albarium opus). The builders of antiquity made great use of stucco, both in the interior and exterior of buildings. All the buildings of Pompeii are stuccoed.

Deambulatory, Arch. (deambulo, to walk about). The lateral nave which surrounds the choir of a church; it is usually separated from the aisles by a grating (cancelli).

Deas, Dais, Dees, Scotch, (1) A table, especially the great hall table. (2) A pew in a church. (3) A turf seat erected at the door of a cottage. (See Dais.)

Death’s-man, O. E. The executioner.

Debased, Her. Reversed.

Decadence. The term in ancient art is applied to the period after the fall of Rome, and before the Renaissance in the 14th century; in modern art to the period of the rococo style of Louis XV.

Decaduchi (δεκα-δοῦχοι), Gr. A council of ten, who ruled Athens from B.C. 403 until the restoration of democracy.

Decan, Egyp. A period of ten days, which was ruled by a star called its Decan. The month was divided into three decans, and the year into thirty-six, each being presided over by its own inferior divinity. On zodiacs they are arranged in groups of three above the twelve superior gods. The decans were the tutelary genii of the horoscope.

Decarchia (δεκ-αρχία). A council of the Lacedæmonians.

Decastellare, Med. Lat. To dismantle.

Decastylos, Arch. A building of which the portico has ten columns; a decastylic pediment is a pediment supported by ten columns.

Decemjugus (sc. currus), R. A chariot drawn by ten horses abreast; represented on the medals of the later emperors.

Decempeda, R. A ten-foot measuring-rod used by architects and surveyors.

Decemremis, R. (remus, an oar). A vessel with ten banks of oars. It is certain that the different ranks of rowers, who had each his own seat, sat one above the other; the lowest row was called thalamos, the middle zuga, and the uppermost thranos; but it is very difficult to understand in what manner so many ranks could have been arranged, and the question has been the subject of infinite discussion.

Decennalia or Decennia. A festival at Rome in commemoration of the refusal of Augustus to become emperor for a longer period than ten years at a time.

Decollation (= beheading). An ecclesiastical expression applied to St. John the Baptist and other martyrs.

Decorated Style of Architecture. The second of the Pointed or Gothic styles of architecture used in England. It was developed from the Early English at the end of the 13th century, and gradually merged into the Perpendicular during the latter part of the 14th. Its most characteristic feature is the geometrical traceries of the windows.

Decrescent, In Detriment, Her. A half-moon having its horns to the sinister.

Decursio, R. (decurro, to run or march). Military manœuvres; a review, sham fight, or any exercise for training soldiers; the term decursus was also used.

Decussis, R. (decem, ten, and as). A piece of money marked with the numeral X (10), and which was worth ten asses (post-Augustan; see Denarius).

De Fundato or Netted. A name given to certain silks, which were dyed of the richest purple, and figured with gold in the pattern of netting.

De-gamboys, O. E. A musical instrument. (See Viol de Gambo.)

Degradation, Gen. The diminishing of the tones of colour, light, and shade, according to the different degrees of distance. (A term used especially in reference to glass painting.)

Degreed, Degraded, Her. Placed on steps.

Deice, Deas, or Deis, O. E. (See Dais.)

Deinos, Gr. A vessel with a wide mouth and semi-spherical body, something like the cacabus.

Delf. Common pottery from Delft in Holland.

Delft Faiences are remarkable for the beauty of their paste and of their enamel, but spurious imitations are said to be abundant. Fig. 240 is a representative specimen of the real Delft ware. The date of the establishment of this manufacture is uncertain, but earlier than 1614; the ornamentation is inspired by Japanese art. (Consult Jacquemart’s History of the Ceramic Art.)

Delia, Gr. Festivals and games at Delos.

Delphica (sc. cortina), R. A table of a very costly description, made of white marble or bronze. It was used as a drinking-table, and had only three feet richly ornamented. [Explained under the heading Cortina.]

Delphinia. A Greek festival in honour of Apollo.

Delphinorum Columnæ, R. The two columns at one end of the spina of a circus, on which marble figures of dolphins were placed. The seven ova (eggs) on similar columns at the end of the spina opposite to these dolphins, served to indicate the number of turns made by the chariots round the goal. (See Ovum.) [The figure of the dolphin was selected in honour of Neptune.] (Cf. Circus.)

Delphinus, Dolphin, Gen. (δελφίν). The dolphin was often used as an ornament, and especially as a hand-rest or banister to the vomitoria or entrances of the theatres and amphitheatres. Fig. 241 represents a dolphin utilized in this manner at the theatre of Puzzoli. Many medals, as for instance those of Syracuse (Fig. 242), are stamped with a dolphin. (See also Dolphin.)

Delphis, R. A heavy mass of iron or lead used in naval warfare, to drop on board of a hostile ship and sink it. (Compare Corvus.)

Delubrum, R. (deluo, to cleanse). A shrine; the part of a temple which contains the altar or statue of the deity, and thence a temple containing an altar.

Demembered, Dismembered, Her. Cut into pieces, but without any alteration in the form of the original figure.

Demi, Her. The half; the upper, front, or dexter half, unless the contrary is specified.

Demi-brassarts, Vambraces, or Avant-braces. Half-armour for the arm.

Demi-culverin. A cannon of four inches’ bore. (Meyrick.)

Demi-hag. A smaller kind of hackbut (arquebus).

Demi-haque, O. E. A fire-arm, smaller than the arquebus; 16th century.

Demi-jambes. Armour for the shins.

Demi-placcate. The lower part of a breastplate.

Demi-relievo. Sculpture in relief, in which one half of the figure projects; generally called Mezzo-relievo. (See Basso-relievo.)

Demiurgi (δημι-ουργοί). Popular magistrates.

Demosii. Slaves belonging to the state, at Athens.

Demotic (writing), Egyp. (δημοτικὰ, sc. γράμματα, i. e. popular writing). A mode of writing among the ancient Egyptians, differing from the hieroglyphic or sacred writing. This writing, which was employed for civil records, was introduced under the twenty-fifth dynasty, being derived from the hieratic writing, the first abbreviation of the hieroglyphics.

Demster, O. E. A judge.

Demyt, O. E. An old word for dimity; a kind of fustian. Perhaps so called because first manufactured at Damietta.

Denarius, R. (deni, by tens). The silver coin principally in use among the Romans. Until the reign of Augustus the denarius was worth ten asses, and afterwards sixteen. Denarius aureus was a gold denarius, equal in value to twenty-five silver denarii.

Denia. A city of Valencia in Spain, which disputes with Alcora the production of a remarkable kind of pottery, of which Jacquemart mentions a vase with two handles of Arab form, resembling the alcarazas, upon a smooth white enamel decorated with birds and flowers coarsely painted.

Dens, R. Literally, a tooth; hence the prongs of a fork, the flukes of an anchor, the barbs of a lance, the teeth of a saw or rake.

Dentale, R. (dens, a tooth). The piece of wood in a plough on which the plough-share (vomer) is fastened.

Dentatus, R. Armed with teeth.

Dentelle Decoration. Of French pottery, a light lace pattern, more delicate than the “lambrequin.”

Dentels, Fr. (See Dentile.)

Dentile, Dentils (Latin, denticuli), Arch. Ornaments in the form of small cubes or teeth, used in the moulding of cornices, in the Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite orders. (See Tooth-ornament, Dog’s-tooth.)

Depas, R. A bowl with two handles, the foot of which is made of a low flat moulding like the Doric fillet.

Depressed, Her. Surmounted, placed over another.

Derby Porcelain. Manufactory established in 1750. Jacquemart says, “Derby has made fine porcelains and statuettes which have nothing to fear by comparison with the groups of Saxony or Sèvres.”

Dere, O. E. Noble, honourable.

Derring do, O. E. Deeds of arms.

Deruncinatus, R. Smoothed and polished with the runcina or carpenter’s plane.

Desca, Lat. A stall or desk in a church.

Descobinatus, R. Rasped with the Scobina or carpenter’s rasp.

Destrere, Anglo-Norman. A war-horse.

Desultorius (sc. equus), R. (desilio, to leap off). A horse trained for equestrian performances in a circus by the desultor. Desultorius is itself sometimes used as a synonym for desultor. The desultor rode two horses at once, and got his name from his leaping or vaulting from one to the other.

Desvres, Pas de Calais, France. An interesting manufactory of faience established in the 17th century, of a style originating in Flanders. (Jacquemart.)

Detached. A term in painting applied to figures which stand out well.

Detriment, Her. (See Decrescent.)

Deunx, R. (de and uncia, a twelfth part off). A nominal value not represented by any coin. The term means literally eleven unciæ, or eleven-twelfths of anything [i. e. ounces or twelfths of a pound].

Developed, Her. Displayed, unfurled.

Devil, Chr. Mediæval representations of the devil (especially in painting) were taken from those of the satyrs of the ancients. They were, however, subject to no canon of symbolism at all, and varied from the likeness of a beautiful woman to every imaginable variety of the grotesque and repulsive.

Devonshire Lace (Old). This lace is said to have been first introduced into England by the Flemings in 1567–73, and it long preserved its Flemish character. The engraving shows a specimen of old Devonshire lace, made at the beginning of the last century.

Devs, Pers. Evil genii, servants of Ahriman, in the religion of Zoroaster; they were twenty-eight in number, and were opposed to the ministers of the amchaspands or Izeds (q.v.).

Dextans, R. (de and sextans, i. e. a sixth part off). A nominal value not represented by any coin. The literal meaning of the term is ten unciæ, or ten-twelfths of anything [ounces].

Dexter, Her. The right side, i. e. to the spectator’s or reader’s left.

Dextrale, R. (dexter, right). A bracelet worn by Greek and Roman women on the right arm, and differing from the dextrocherium (Fig. 245), which was worn on the wrist. The latter ornament was often of gold. (See Armilla.)

Dholkee, Hindoo. A kind of tom-tom, or small drum. (See Tom-tom.)

Diabathrum, Gr. and R. (βάθρον, that on which one stands). A sandal or light shoe worn by women, especially such as were tall. The comic poet Alexis, talking of courtesans, says, “One is too short, and so she puts cork in her baukides; another is too tall, and she puts on a light diabathrum.”

Diaconicum, Scevophylacium, and Bematis Diaconicon, Chr. A room in an ancient basilica near the altar, where the priests put on and took off their vestments, and the deacons (διάκονοι) prepared the vessels and sacred ornaments to be used in the service. Diaconicum majus was the sacristy.

Diadema, R. (diadeô, to bind round). Originally the white fillet worn by Eastern monarchs round the head. It was made of silk, wool, or yarn, narrow, but wider in the centre of the forehead. The Greeks presented a diadem to every victor in the public games, and it was worn by priests and priestesses. As the emblem of sovereignty it is an attribute of Juno. Afterwards the term came to mean a diadem.

Diæta, Gr. and R. (i. e. a living-place). That part of a house in which a Roman received his guests. The same term was applied to a captain’s cabin in the after-part of a ship.

Diætæ, R. Summer-houses. (See Hortus.)

Diaglyph, Gr. and R. (διαγλύφω, to carve through). An intaglio, or design cut into the material on which it is executed. (See Intaglio.)

Diaglyphic. (Sculpture, engraving, &c.) in which the objects are sunk below the general surface.

Diagonal Rib, Arch. A cross formed by the intersection of the ribs which cut one another according to the groins of a groined roof.

Dialia, Gr. and R. (διάλια, from Δὶς, old form for Ζεύς). Festivals held in honour of Jupiter by the Flamen Dialis (the priest of Jupiter).

Diamastigosis, Gr. (διαμαστίγωσις, i. e. a severe scourging). A festival held at Sparta in honour of Artemis Orthia, during which boys were flogged at an altar in order to harden them to the endurance of pain.

Diamicton, Gr. and R. (διαμίγνυμι, to mix up). A wall, of which the outside surface was made of brickwork or regular layers of masonry, and the centre was filled up with rubble. Fig. 246.

Diamond, for glass-cutting, was not used till the 16th century, although suggested in a Bolognese MS. of a century earlier. Its discovery is attributed to Francis I., who, to let the Duchesse d’Estampes know of his jealousy, wrote on the palace windows with his ring,—

The art of cutting and polishing diamonds with diamond powder was discovered by Louis de Berquem in 1476.

Diamond, in Christian art. (See White.)

Diamond Fret, Arch. The descriptive name for a decorated moulding in Norman architecture.

Diamond Rings were used as seal and bearings on his escutcheon (represented in Fig. 100) by Cosmo de’ Medici, the founder of the famous Florentine family. The device in various forms was invariably adopted by his descendants. Fig. 247 is the device of Pietro de’ Medici († 1470), the son of Cosmo: a falcon with a ring, and the punning motto, “Semper,” forming with the device the words “Semper fa-’l-con di (Dio) amante.”

Diapasma, Gr. and R. (διαπάσσω, to sprinkle). A powder made of dried flowers and odoriferous herbs, which was put in a sachet for use as a perfume, or rubbed over the body.

Diaper, Arch. Ornament of sculpture in low relief, sunk below the general surface.

Diaper, O. E. A mode of decoration by a repeated pattern, carved or painted, generally in squares, representing flowers and arabesques.

Diaper or Damask, a name given to a fine linen cloth made at Ypres, is spoken of as early as the 13th century.

The peculiarity of this cloth, as of that of Damascus, was in the pattern. “To diaper” is, in heraldry, to cover the field of an escutcheon with devices independent of the armorial bearings. The engraving shows a surcoat diapered, on which are embroidered armorial bearings. (Fig. 248.)

Diasia, Gr. Festivals in honour of Zeus, held at Athens, outside of the walls of the city, for the purpose of averting epidemics and other ills (ἄση).

Diastyle, Arch. An intercolumniation, in which the columns are separated from each other by a space of three diameters.

Diathyrum, Gr. A passage leading at one end to the street door of a house, and at the other to the door of the courtyard. The Romans called this space Prothyrum (q.v.).

Diatoni, Diatonoi, Gr. and R. (διατείνω, to extend through). Long stones extending from one face of a wall to the other (to which modern architects give the name of perpenders or perpend-stones), and which were employed in the method of construction called Emplecton (q.v.). In Fig. 249 one is represented by the stone placed between b and c.

Diatreta, Gr. (διάτρητα, i. e. bored through). A drinking-cup made of glass, cut in such a way that the designs or ornaments upon it stand out completely from the body of the vase, and form a tracery, which is only united to the vase itself by small ties or pins left for the purpose.

Diatriba, Gr. and R. (διατρίβω, to spend time). Places in which learned discussions were held, such as lecture or assembly rooms.

Diaulos, Gr. The double flute. (See Aulos, Flute.) One in the British Museum, found in a tomb at Athens, is of cedar-wood, with tubes fifteen inches in length.

Diazoma, Gr. (διάζωμα, that which girdles). A Greek synonym of the Latin term Præcinctio (q.v.).

Dicasterion, Dicastery, Gr. (δικαστήριον; δίκη, justice). A tribunal at Athens in which the people themselves administered justice without the intervention of the magistrates.

Dicastes. A judge, or rather juryman, chosen annually from the citizens at Athens.

Dicerion, Chr. (δι-κέραιον, with two horns). A candlestick with two branches, holding which in their hands the Greek priests bless the people. The dicerion is symbolical of the two-fold nature of Christ. (See Tricerion.)

Dichalcon, Gr. (δίχαλκος, i. e. double-chalcos). A small Greek copper coin worth only one-fourth or one-fifth of an obolus.

Dichoria, Gr. (δι-χορία, i. e. division of chorus). When the ancient choruses divided into two, to recite in turn a part of the action of a play, or mutually to interchange sentiments, this action was called dichoria; each half of the chorus was called hemichoria (ἡμιχορία), and each stanza antichoria (ἀντιχορία).

Dicken, O. E. The devil. “Odds dickens!”

Dicker, O. E. Half a score.

Dicomos, Gr. (κῶμος, a feast). A banqueting-song, which was sung at the second course of the feast at the festivals of Bacchus.

Dicrotos, Dicrotus, Gr. (δί-κροτος, lit. double-beating). The Greek name for a vessel with two banks of oars, the Roman biremis.

Dictynnia (δίκτυον, a hunter’s net). A Cretan festival in honour of Artemis.

Dictyotheton, Gr. (from δίκτυον, a net). A kind of masonry composed of regularly-cut square stones, forming, in a wall so constructed, a network or chess-board pattern. It answered to the opus reticulatum of the Romans.

Didrachma, Didrachmum, Gr. (δί-δραχμον). A double silver drachma of the Greek coinage, which was worth about two shillings.

Die. In Architecture, for dado, or the part of a pedestal that would correspond to the dado (q.v.).

Die-sinking. The art of engraving on steel moulds, medals, coins, and inscriptions.

Difference, Differencing, Her. An addition to, or some change in, a coat of arms, introduced for the purpose of distinguishing coats which in their primary qualities are the same. Differencing is sometimes used in the same sense as Cadency; but, strictly, it is distinct, having reference to alliance and dependency, without blood-relationship, or to the system adopted for distinguishing similar coats of arms. (Bouteil.)

Digitale, R. (digitus, a finger). A kind of glove worn by the Sarmatians, an example of which may be seen on Trajan’s Column.

Diglyph, Gr. and R. (δί-γλυφος, doubly indented). An ornament consisting of two glyphæ (γλυφαὶ) or grooves channelled out on consoles. (See Triglyph.)

Diipoleia (πολιεὺς, of the city). A very ancient Athenian festival, celebrated annually on the Acropolis, in honour of Zeus Polieus.

Dimidiated, Her. Cut in half per pale, and one half removed. Fig. 251 is a device placed by James I. on some of his coins, in which the thistle and rose are respectively dimidiated. The legend was, “Fecit eos in gentem unam.”

Diocleia. A festival of the Megarians, held about the grave of an ancient Athenian hero, Diocles. There was a prize for kissing.

Dionysia. The celebrated orgies of Dionysus or Bacchus, suppressed B.C. 186, and substituted by the Liberalia. (See Bacchanalia.)

Dioptra, Gr. and R. (δίοπτρα; διοράω, to see through). An instrument used in surveying to measure distances and to take levels.

Dioscuria, Gr. and R. (Διοσκούρια). Games instituted at Rome in honour of the Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux), who, at the battle of Lake Regillus against the Latins (496 B.C.), were supposed to have fought on the side of the Romans.

Diospolites, Egyp. One of the nomes or divisions of Lower Egypt.

Diota, Gr. (δί-ωτα, with two ears). A name applied indifferently to any kind of vase furnished with two handles, such as lagenæ, amphoræ, canthari, &c.

Diplinthus, R. (πλίνθος, a brick). Masonry two bricks thick.

Diploïs, Gr. and R. Folded in two; an upper garment which was doubled in the same manner as a woman’s shawl at the present day; it was much worn among the Greeks.

Diploma, Gr. and R. (δίπλωμα, i. e. double-folded). A passport consisting of two leaves (whence its name). The term is also used to denote a diploma by which any right or privilege is conferred.

Dipteral, Arch. A building having double wings. The term is applied to any building having a double intercolumniation all round it.

Diptheræ, Gr. and R. (διφθέραι; δέφω, to make supple). (1) Prepared skins for writing on. (2) A kind of garment; an overcoat of skin or leather which Greek slaves put on over their tunic.

Diptych, Gr. (δί-πτυχα, i. e. double-folded). Double tablets united by means of strings or hinges. Diptycha consularia, ædilitia, prætoria had engraved on them portraits of consuls, ædiles, prætors, and other magistrates. These consular diptychs were a part of the presents sent by new consuls on their appointment to very eminent persons. The series of them is a very valuable record of the progress of the art of ivory carving. In Christian archæology diptychs were decorated with scenes from biblical history. There were also diptychs of the baptized; of the bishops and benefactors of a church, living or dead; of saints and martyrs; and, lastly, of deceased members of the congregation, whose souls were to be remembered at mass. (See Triptych.)

Directors, or Triangular Compasses. A mathematical instrument adapted for taking three angular points at once.

Diribitorium, R. (diribeo, to sort or separate). A place or building in which a public officer inspected the troops, distributed the pay, and enrolled the conscripts in their respective regiments.

Dirige, Chr. A psalm forming part of the burial service, “Dirige gressus meos,” &c.; hence Dirge, for funereal music or hymns in general.

Dirk. A Scotch dagger.