Part 115

Shak.

De*func"tive (?), a. Funereal. [Obs.] "Defunctive music." Shak.

De*fuse" (?), v. t. [Cf. Diffuse.] To disorder; to make shapeless. [Obs.] Shak.

De*fy" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Defying.] [F. défier, OF. deffier, desfier, LL. disfidare to disown faith or fidelity, to dissolve the bond of allegiance, as between the vassal and his lord; hence, to challenge, defy; fr. L. dis- + fides faith. See Faith, and cf. Diffident, Affiance.] 1. To renounce or dissolve all bonds of affiance, faith, or obligation with; to reject, refuse, or renounce. [Obs.]

I defy the surety and the bond.

Chaucer.

For thee I have defied my constant mistress.

Beau. & Fl.

2. To provoke to combat or strife; to call out to combat; to challenge; to dare; to brave; to set at defiance; to treat with contempt; as, to defy an enemy; to defy the power of a magistrate; to defy the arguments of an opponent; to defy public opinion.

I once again Defy thee to the trial of mortal fight.

Milton.

I defy the enemies of our constitution to show the contrary.

Burke.

De*fy" (?), n. A challenge. [Obs.] Dryden.

De*gar"nish (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Degarnished (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Degarnishing.] [F. dégarnir; pref. dé- , des- (L. dis-) + garnir to furnish. See Garnish, and cf. Disgarnish.] 1. To strip or deprive of entirely, as of furniture, ornaments, etc.; to disgarnish; as, to degarnish a house, etc. [R.]

2. To deprive of a garrison, or of troops necessary for defense; as, to degarnish a city or fort. [R.] Washington.

De*gar"nish*ment (?), n. The act of depriving, as of furniture, apparatus, or a garrison. [R.]

{ De*gen"der (?), De*gen"er (?), } v. i. [See Degenerate.] To degenerate. [Obs.] "Degendering to hate." Spenser.

He degenereth into beastliness.

Joye.

De*gen"er*a*cy (?), n. [From Degenerate, a.] 1. The act of becoming degenerate; a growing worse.

Willful degeneracy from goodness.

Tillotson.

2. The state of having become degenerate; decline in good qualities; deterioration; meanness.

Degeneracy of spirit in a state of slavery.

Addison.

To recover mankind out of their universal corruption and degeneracy.

S. Clarke.