Part 74

De*ci"pher*a*ble (?), a. Capable of being deciphered; as, old writings not decipherable.

De*ci"pher*er (?), n. One who deciphers.

De*ci"pher*ess (?), n. A woman who deciphers.

De*ci"pher*ment (?), n. The act of deciphering.

De*cip"i*en*cy (?), n. [L. decipiens, p. pr. of decipere. See Deceive.] State of being deceived; hallucination. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

De*cip"i*um (?), n. [NL., fr. L. decipere to deceive.] (Chem.) A supposed rare element, said to be associated with cerium, yttrium, etc., in the mineral samarskite, and more recently called samarium. Symbol Dp. See Samarium.

De*ci"sion (?), n. [L. decisio, fr. decdere, decisum: cf. F. décision. See Decide.] 1. Cutting off; division; detachment of a part. [Obs.] Bp. Pearson.

2. The act of deciding; act of settling or terminating, as a controversy, by giving judgment on the matter at issue; determination, as of a question or doubt; settlement; conclusion.

The decision of some dispute.

Atterbury.

3. An account or report of a conclusion, especially of a legal adjudication or judicial determination of a question or cause; as, a decision of arbitrators; a decision of the Supreme Court.

4. The quality of being decided; prompt and fixed determination; unwavering firmness; as, to manifest great decision.

Syn. -- Decision, Determination, Resolution. Each of these words has two meanings, one implying the act of deciding, determining, or resolving; and the other a habit of mind as to doing. It is in the last sense that the words are here compared. Decision is a cutting short. It implies that several courses of action have been presented to the mind, and that the choice is now finally made. It supposes, therefore, a union of promptitude and energy. Determination is the natural consequence of decision. It is the settling of a thing with a fixed purpose to adhere. Resolution is the necessary result in a mind which is characterized by firmness. It is a spirit which scatters (resolves) all doubt, and is ready to face danger or suffering in carrying out one's determinations. Martin Luther was equally distinguished for his prompt decision, his steadfast determination, and his inflexible resolution.

De*ci*sive (?), a. [Cf. F. décisif. See Decision.] 1. Having the power or quality of deciding a question or controversy; putting an end to contest or controversy; final; conclusive. "A decisive, irrevocable doom." Bates. "Decisive campaign." Macaulay. "Decisive proof." Hallam.

2. Marked by promptness and decision.

A noble instance of this attribute of the decisive character.

J. Foster.

Syn. -- Decided; positive; conclusive. See Decided.

-- De*ci"sive*ly, adv. -- De*ci"sive*ness, n.

De*ci"so*ry (?), a. [Cf. F. décisoire. See Decision.] Able to decide or determine; having a tendency to decide. [R.]

Dec"i*stere (?), n. [F. décistère; pref. déci- tenth (fr. L. decimus) + stère a stere.] (Metric System) The tenth part of the stere or cubic meter, equal to 3.531 cubic feet. See Stere.

De*cit"i*zen*ize (?), v. t. To deprive of the rights of citizenship. [R.]

We have no law -- as the French have -- to decitizenize a citizen.

Edw. Bates.

De*civ"i*lize (?), v. t. To reduce from civilization to a savage state. [R.] Blackwood's Mag.

Deck (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Decked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Decking.] [D. dekken to cover; akin to E. thatch. See Thatch.] 1. To cover; to overspread.

To deck with clouds the uncolored sky.

Milton.