Diruta. An important porcelain manufactory in the Papal States, established by a pupil of Luca della Robbia in 1461.

Discerniculum, R. (discerno, to divide). A bodkin used by Roman women in the toilet to part their hair. (See Combs.)

Discharging Arch. An arch built into the structure of a wall, to relieve the parts below it of the pressure of those above it; such arches are common over flat-headed doors or other openings.

Discinctus, Gr. and R. (discingo, to ungird). A man who is ungirt, that is, who does not wear a girdle round the waist of his tunic; for a man, this was a mark of effeminate manners. Discinctus miles denoted a soldier who had been stripped by his commander of his sword-belt, as a mark of disgrace. (Compare Cingulum.)

Disclosed, Her. With expanded wings, in the case of birds that are not birds of prey. The contrary to Close.

Discobolus, Gr. and R. (δισκο-βόλος, i. e. discus-throwing). A man throwing the Discus (q.v.). [A celebrated statue of the sculptor Myron so called.]

Discus, R. (δίσκος; δικεῖν, to throw). This term denoted (1) the discus hurled by the Discobolus (q.v.); that is, a circular plate of metal or stone, about ten or twelve inches in diameter. (2) A sun-dial. (3) A shallow circular vessel for holding eatables.

Disk. (See Winged Disk.)

Disomum, Chr. (δί-σωμον, double-bodied). An urn or tomb which held the ashes or bodies of two persons; bisomum was also used. Both terms are met with in Christian inscriptions.

Displayed, Her. Birds of prey with expanded wings. Fig. 254 represents the crest of Edward IV., the falcon and fetterlock.

Displuviatus, Displuviatum, R. An atrium, the roof of which was sloped outwards from the Compluvium (q.v.), instead of being sloped towards it. (See Impluvium and Atrium.)

Disposed, Disposition, Her. Arranged, arrangement.

Distaff. A common object in ancient art. It is an attribute of the Fates, and generally distaffs of gold were given to the goddesses. It was dedicated to Minerva. (See Colus.) The name of St. Distaff’s Day was given to the day after Twelfth Day in England.

Distance. In a picture, the point of distance is that where the visual rays meet; middle distance is the central portion of a picture, between the foreground and the extreme distance.

Distemper. A kind of painting in which the pigments are mixed with an aqueous vehicle, such as size. Distemper is painted on a dry surface. (See Fresco-painting.)

Ditriglyph, R. (δὶς, twice, and τρίγλυφος). The space between two triglyphs in the Doric order. The term is therefore a synonym of Metope (q.v.).

Dividers. Ordinary compasses for taking off and transferring measurements.

Dividiculum, R. A reservoir in the form of a tower, in which the water of an aqueduct was collected, and whence it was afterwards distributed. (See Castellum.)

Docana (δοκὸς, a beam). An ancient Spartan symbol of Castor and Pollux. It consisted of two upright beams, with cross pieces.

Doccia. An important Italian manufactory of soft porcelain founded in 1735. Jacquemart says, “Doccia now inundates Europe with spurious majolica of the 16th century, and with false porcelain of Capo di Monte, of which she possesses the moulds.”

Dodecahedron, Gr. A solid figure of twelve equal sides.

Dodecastyle, Gr. and R. (δώδεκα, twelve, and στῦλος, pillar). A building, the arrangement of which admits of twelve columns in front. A dodecastyle pediment is a pediment supported by twelve columns.

Dodra, R. (dodrans, nine parts). A kind of beverage, or rather soup, composed of nine ingredients. We learn from Ausonius that it was made of bread, water, wine, oil, broth, salt, sweet herbs, honey, and pepper.

Dodrans, R. (i. e. three-fourths). Nine unciæ, or three-quarters of an as. There was no coin of this value. As a measure of length, nine inches. (See As.)

Doff or Deff, Egyp. The square tambourine of the ancient Egyptians; the toph of the Hebrews, still in use among the Arabs, especially in the Barbary States.

Dog. An emblem of fidelity and loyalty. In mediæval art, the attribute of St. Roch; also of St. Dominic, the founder of the Dominican order; of St. Bernard, St. Wendelin, and St. Benignus. As an emblem of fidelity, it is placed at the feet of the effigies of married women upon sepulchres. It was common to represent, in painting or mosaic, a chained watch-dog at the doors of Roman houses. The Dog of Fo is a sacred emblem in China, sometimes called a Chimera; it is placed as the guardian of the thresholds of temples, and of the Buddhist altars. In the Chinese zodiacal system the dog is the sign for the month of September.

Dog Latin. Barbarous Latin; e. g. “Verte canem ex” (turn the dog out).

Dog’s-nose, O. E. A cordial used in low life, composed of warm porter, moist sugar, gin, and nutmeg. (Halliwell.)

Dog’s-tooth Moulding, Arch. A characteristic ornament of Early English architecture, formed of four leaves with small spiral fillets, which bear some resemblance to teeth. (See Tooth-ornament.)