Part 73

{ Dec"i*li`ter, Dec"i*li`tre } (?), n. [F. décilitre; pref. déci- tenth (L. decimus) + litre. See Liter.] A measure of capacity or volume in the metric system; one tenth of a liter, equal to 6.1022 cubic inches, or 3.38 fluid ounces.

De*cil"lion (?), n. [L. decem ten + the ending of million.] According to the English notation, a million involved to the tenth power, or a unit with sixty ciphers annexed; according to the French and American notation, a thousand involved to the eleventh power, or a unit with thirty-three ciphers annexed. [See the Note under Numeration.]

De*cil"lionth (?), a. Pertaining to a decillion, or to the quotient of unity divided by a decillion.

De*cil"lionth (?), n. (a) The quotient of unity divided by a decillion. (b) One of a decillion equal parts.

Dec"i*mal (?), a. [F. décimal (cf. LL. decimalis), fr. L. decimus tenth, fr. decem ten. See Ten, and cf. Dime.] Of or pertaining to decimals; numbered or proceeding by tens; having a tenfold increase or decrease, each unit being ten times the unit next smaller; as, decimal notation; a decimal coinage.

Decimal arithmetic, the common arithmetic, in which numeration proceeds by tens. -- Decimal fraction, a fraction in which the denominator is some power of 10, as , , and is usually not expressed, but is signified by a point placed at the left hand of the numerator, as .2, .25. -- Decimal point, a dot or full stop at the left of a decimal fraction. The figures at the left of the point represent units or whole numbers, as 1.05.

Dec"i*mal, n. A number expressed in the scale of tens; specifically, and almost exclusively, used as synonymous with a decimal fraction.

Circulating, or Circulatory, decimal, a decimal fraction in which the same figure, or set of figures, is constantly repeated; as, 0.354354354; - - called also recurring decimal, repeating decimal, and repetend.

Dec"i*mal*ism (?), n. The system of a decimal currency, decimal weights, measures, etc.

Dec"i*mal*ize (?), v. t. To reduce to a decimal system; as, to decimalize the currency. -- Dec`i*mal*i*za"tion (#), n.

Dec"i*mal*ly, adv. By tens; by means of decimals.

Dec"i*mate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Decimated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Decimating (?).] [L. decimatus, p. p. of decimare to decimate (in senses 1 & 2), fr. decimus tenth. See Decimal.] 1. To take the tenth part of; to tithe. Johnson.

2. To select by lot and punish with death every tenth man of; as, to decimate a regiment as a punishment for mutiny. Macaulay.

3. To destroy a considerable part of; as, to decimate an army in battle; to decimate a people by disease.

Dec`i*ma"tion (?), n. [L. decimatio: cf. F. décimation.] 1. A tithing. [Obs.] State Trials (1630).

2. A selection of every tenth person by lot, as for punishment. Shak.

3. The destruction of any large proportion, as of people by pestilence or war. Milman.

Dec"i*ma`tor (?), n. [Cf. LL. decimator.] One who decimates. South.

||Dé`cime" (?), n. [F.] A French coin, the tenth part of a franc, equal to about two cents.

{ Dec"i*me`ter, Dec"i*me`tre } (?), n. [F. décimètre; pref. déci- tenth (fr. L. decimus) + mètre. See Meter.] A measure of length in the metric system; one tenth of a meter, equal to 3.937 inches.

Dec`i*mo*sex"to (?), n. [Prop., in sixteenth; fr. L. decimus tenth + sextus sixth.] A book consisting of sheets, each of which is folded into sixteen leaves; hence, indicating, more or less definitely, a size of book; - - usually written 16mo or 16°.

Dec`i*mo*sex"to, a. Having sixteen leaves to a sheet; as, a decimosexto form, book, leaf, size.

De"cine (?; 104), n. [From L. decem ten.] (Chem.) One of the higher hydrocarbons, C10H15, of the acetylene series; -- called also decenylene.

De*ci"pher (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deciphered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Deciphering.] [Pref. de- + cipher. Formed in imitation of F. déchiffrer. See Cipher.] 1. To translate from secret characters or ciphers into intelligible terms; as, to decipher a letter written in secret characters.

2. To find out, so as to be able to make known the meaning of; to make out or read, as words badly written or partly obliterated; to detect; to reveal; to unfold.

3. To stamp; to detect; to discover. [R.]

You are both deciphered, . . . For villains.

Shak.