Part 216

Irresponsible power in human hands so naturally leads to it, that cruelty has become associated with despot and tyrant.

C. J. Smith.

2. One who rules regardless of a constitution or laws; a tyrant.

Des"po*tat (?), n. [Cf. F. despotat.] The station or government of a despot; also, the domain of a despot. Freeman.

{ Des*pot"ic (?), Des*pot"ic*al (?), } a. [Gr. &?;: cf. F. despotique.] Having the character of, or pertaining to, a despot; absolute in power; possessing and abusing unlimited power; evincing despotism; tyrannical; arbitrary. -- Des*pot"ic*al*ly, adv. -- Des*pot"ic*al*ness, n.

Des"po*tism (?), n. [Cf. F. despotisme.] 1. The power, spirit, or principles of a despot; absolute control over others; tyrannical sway; tyranny. "The despotism of vice." Byron.

2. A government which is directed by a despot; a despotic monarchy; absolutism; autocracy.

Despotism . . . is the only form of government which may with safety to itself neglect the education of its infant poor.

Bp. Horsley.

Des"po*tist, n. A supporter of despotism. [R.]

Des"po*tize (?), v. t. To act the despot.

De*spread" (?), v. t. & i. See Dispread.

Des"pu*mate (?), v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Despumated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Despumating (?).] [L. despumatus, p. p. of despumare to despume; de- + spumare to foam, froth, spuma froth, scum.] To throw off impurities in spume; to work off in foam or scum; to foam.

Des`pu*ma"tion (?), n. [L. despumatio: cf. F. despumation.] The act of throwing up froth or scum; separation of the scum or impurities from liquids; scumming; clarification.

De*spume" (?), v. t. [Cf. F. despumer. See Despumate.] To free from spume or scum. [Obs.]

If honey be despumed.

Holland.

Des"qua*mate (?), v. i. [L. desquamatus, p. p. of desquamare to scale off; de- + squama scale.] (Med.) To peel off in the form of scales; to scale off, as the skin in certain diseases.

Des`qua*ma"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. desquamation.] (Med.) The separation or shedding of the cuticle or epidermis in the form of flakes or scales; exfoliation, as of bones.

{ De*squam"a*tive (?), De*squam"a*to*ry (?), } a. Of, pertaining to, or attended with, desquamation.

De*squam"a*to*ry, n. (Surg.) An instrument formerly used in removing the laminæ of exfoliated bones.

Dess (?), n. Dais. [Obs.]

Des*sert" (?), n. [F., fr. desservir to remove from table, to clear the table; pref. des- (L. dis-) + servir to serve, to serve at table. See Serve.] A service of pastry, fruits, or sweetmeats, at the close of a feast or entertainment; pastry, fruits, etc., forming the last course at dinner.

"An 't please your honor," quoth the peasant, "This same dessert is not so pleasant."

Pope.

Dessert spoon, a spoon used in eating dessert; a spoon intermediate in size between a teaspoon and a tablespoon. -- Dessert-spoonful, n., pl. Dessert- spoonfuls, as much as a dessert spoon will hold, usually reckoned at about two and a half fluid drams.

Des*tem"per (?), n. [Cf. F. détrempe, fr. détremper.] A kind of painting. See Distemper.

Des"tin (?), n. [Cf. F. destin.] Destiny. [Obs.] Marston.