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Demerit has reversed its original meaning (Latin, demereo, to merit, to deserve). Hence Plautus,
Demertas dare laudas (to accord due praise); Ovid, Numina culta demeruisse; Livy, dernerèri beneficio
civitatem. The de - is intensive, as in "de-mand," "de-scribe," "de-claim," etc.; not the privative deorsum,
as in the word "de-fame."
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Demijohn (A). A glass vessel with a large body and small neck, enclosed in wickerwork like a Florence
flask, and containing more than a bottle. (French, dame-jeanne, "Madam Jane," a corruption of
Damaghan, a town in Persia famous for its glass works.)
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Demurrage An allowance made to the master or owners of a ship by the freighters for detaining her in
port longer than the time agreed upon. (Latin, demorari, to delay.)
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now days, demijohn is commonly used to describe the 5 gallon water jugs commonly used by office water coolers. the new one are plastic, but home vinters used to steal the glass ones on a regular basis, for fermenting wine...
the plasic ones are great for making bottle rockets.. the large interior volume can hold alot of fuel in the form of evaported alcohol, and the narrow neck hold a wick..
done right, they will shoot across the floor a rather high speed, with long blue flames trailing.. they make a most satisfactory whosh! as they take off.. now just how is it that i know this... i can't imagine.. i must have had a first hand encounter sometime..
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old hand
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old hand
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DemijohnIn Italian, the same is called a damigiana (dah-mee-jahn-ah). Cool, hey? I never knew the English word until today. Thanks! 
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Devonshire according to English mythology, is a corruption of Debon's-share. This Debon was one of the heroes who came with
Brute from Troy. One of the giants that he slew in the south coasts of England was Coulin, whom he chased to a vast pit eight
leagues across. The monster trying to leap this pit, fell backwards, and lost his life in the chasm. When Brutus allotted out the
island, this portion became Debon's-share.
"And eke that ample pit, yet far renowned
For the large leap which Debon did compell
Coulin to make, being eight lugs of grownd,
Into the which retourning back he fell ...
In mede of these great conquests by them got
Corineus had that province utmost west ...
And Debon's share was that is Devonshire
Spenser: Faërie Queene, book ii. canto x. 11, 12.
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Diadem meant, originally, a fillet wound round the head. The diadem of Bacchus was a broad band, which might be unfolded so as to make a veil. Hieronymus, king of Syracuse (B.C. 216-215), wore a diadem. Constantine the Great (306-337) was the first of the Roman emperors who wore a diadem. After his time it was set with rows of pearls and precious stones. (Greek dia-deo, to bind entirely.)
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Diploma literally means something folded (Greek). Diplomas used to be written on parchment, folded,
and sealed. The word is applied to licences given to graduates to assume a degree, to clergymen, to
physicians, agents, and so on.
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Diplomacy The tact, negotiations, privileges, etc. of a diplomatist, or one who carries a diploma to a
foreign court to authorise him to represent the Government which sends him out.
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Disaster is being under an evil star (Greek, dus-aster, evil star). An astrological word.
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