Part 32

Swift.

Darning last. See under Last. -- Darning needle. (a) A long, strong needle for mending holes or rents, especially in stockings. (b) (Zoöl.) Any species of dragon fly, having a long, cylindrical body, resembling a needle. These flies are harmless and without stings. [In this sense, usually written with a hyphen.] Called also devil's darning- needle.

Darn, n. A place mended by darning.

Darn, v. t. A colloquial euphemism for Damn.

Dar"nel (?), n. [OE. darnel, dernel, of uncertain origin; cf. dial. F. darnelle, Sw. dår-repe; perh. named from a supposed intoxicating quality of the plant, and akin to Sw. dåra to infatuate, OD. door foolish, G. thor fool, and Ee. dizzy.] (Bot.) Any grass of the genus Lolium, esp. the Lolium temulentum (bearded darnel), the grains of which have been reputed poisonous. Other species, as Lolium perenne (rye grass or ray grass), and its variety L. Italicum (Italian rye grass), are highly esteemed for pasture and for making hay.

Under darnel our early herbalists comprehended all kinds of cornfield weeds. Dr. Prior.

Darn"er (?), n. One who mends by darning.

{ Dar"nex (?), Dar"nic (?), } n. Same as Dornick.

||Da*roo" (d*r"), n. (Bot.) The Egyptian sycamore (Ficus Sycamorus). See Sycamore.

Darr (dr), n. (Zoöl.) The European black tern.

{ Dar"raign, Dar"rain, } (?), v. t. [OF. deraisnier to explain, defend, to maintain in legal action by proof and reasonings, LL. derationare; de- + rationare to discourse, contend in law, fr. L. ratio reason, in LL., legal cause. Cf. Arraign, and see Reason.] 1. To make ready to fight; to array. [Obs.]

Darrain your battle, for they are at hand.

Shak.

2. To fight out; to contest; to decide by combat. [Obs.] "To darrain the battle." Chaucer .

Dar"rein, a. [OF. darrein, darrain, fr. an assumed LL. deretranus; L. de + retro back, backward.] (Law) Last; as, darrein continuance, the last continuance.

Dart (?), n. [OF. dart, of German origin; cf. OHG. tart javelin, dart, AS. dara&?;, daro&?;, Sw. dart dagger, Icel. darra&?;r dart.] 1. A pointed missile weapon, intended to be thrown by the hand; a short lance; a javelin; hence, any sharp-pointed missile weapon, as an arrow.

And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom.

2 Sa. xviii. 14.

2. Anything resembling a dart; anything that pierces or wounds like a dart.

The artful inquiry, whose venomed dart Scarce wounds the hearing while it stabs the heart.

Hannan More.

3. A spear set as a prize in running. [Obs.] Chaucer.

4. (Zoöl.) A fish; the dace. See Dace.

Dart sac (Zoöl.), a sac connected with the reproductive organs of land snails, which contains a dart, or arrowlike structure.

Dart, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Darted; p. pr. & vb. n. Darting.] 1. To throw with a sudden effort or thrust, as a dart or other missile weapon; to hurl or launch.

2. To throw suddenly or rapidly; to send forth; to emit; to shoot; as, the sun darts forth his beams.

Or what ill eyes malignant glances dart?

Pope.