Part 280

Di*gla`di*a"tion (?), n. Act of digladiating. [Obs.] "Sore digladiations and contest." Evelyn.

Di*glot"tism (?), n. [Gr. &?; speaking two languages; di- = di`s- twice + &?; tongue. See Glottis.] Bilingualism. [R.] Earle.

Di"glyph (?), n. [Gr. &?;; di- = di`s- twice + &?; to hollow out, carve.] (Arch.) A projecting face like the triglyph, but having only two channels or grooves sunk in it.

Dig*na"tion (?), n. [L. dignatio.] The act of thinking worthy; honor. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.

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Digne (?), a. [F., fr. L. dignus. See Design.] 1. Worthy; honorable; deserving. [Obs.] Chaucer.

2. Suitable; adequate; fit. [Obs.] Chaucer.

3. Haughty; disdainful. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Dig`ni*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [See Dignify.] The act of dignifying; exaltation.

Dig"ni*fied (?), a. Marked with dignity; stately; as, a dignified judge.

Dig"ni*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dignified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Dignifying.] [OF. dignifier, fr. LL. dignificare; L. dignus worthy + ficare (in comp.), facere to make. See Deign, and Fact.] To invest with dignity or honor; to make illustrious; to give distinction to; to exalt in rank; to honor.

Your worth will dignify our feast.

B. Jonson.

Syn. -- To exalt; elevate; prefer; advance; honor; illustrate; adorn; ennoble.

Dig"ni*ta*ry (?), n.; pl. Dignitaries (#). [Cf. F. dignitaire, fr. L. dignitas.] One who possesses exalted rank or holds a position of dignity or honor; especially, one who holds an ecclesiastical rank above that of a parochial priest or clergyman.

Dig"ni*ty (?), n.; pl. Dignities (#). [OE. dignete, dignite, OF. digneté, dignité, F. dignité, fr. L. dignitas, from dignus worthy. See Dainty, Deign.] 1. The state of being worthy or honorable; elevation of mind or character; true worth; excellence.

2. Elevation; grandeur.

The dignity of this act was worth the audience of kings.

Shak.

3. Elevated rank; honorable station; high office, political or ecclesiastical; degree of excellence; preferment; exaltation. Macaulay.

And the king said, What honor and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this?

Esth. vi. 3.

Reuben, thou art my firstborn, . . . the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power.

Gen. xlix. 3.

4. Quality suited to inspire respect or reverence; loftiness and grace; impressiveness; stateliness; -- said of mien, manner, style, etc.

A letter written with singular energy and dignity of thought and language.

Macaulay.

5. One holding high rank; a dignitary.