Part 89

||De*dans" (?), n. [F.] (Court Tennis) A division, at one end of a tennis court, for spectators.

Dede (?), a. Dead. [Obs.] Chaucer.

De*dec"o*rate (?), v. t. [L. dedecoratus, p. p. of dedecorare to disgrace. See Decorate.] To bring to shame; to disgrace. [Obs.] Bailey.

De*dec`o*ra"tion (?), n. [L. dedecoratio.] Disgrace; dishonor. [Obs.] Bailey.

De*dec"o*rous (?), a. [L. dedecorus. See Decorous.] Disgraceful; unbecoming. [R.] Bailey.

De`den*ti"tion (?), n. The shedding of teeth. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

Ded"i*cate (?), p. a. [L. dedicatus, p. p. of dedicare to affirm, to dedicate; de- + dicare to declare, dedicate; akin to dicere to say. See Diction.] Dedicated; set apart; devoted; consecrated. "Dedicate to nothing temporal." Shak.

Syn. -- Devoted; consecrated; addicted.

Ded"i*cate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dedicated; p. pr. & vb. n. Dedicating.] 1. To set apart and consecrate, as to a divinity, or for sacred uses; to devote formally and solemnly; as, to dedicate vessels, treasures, a temple, or a church, to a religious use.

Vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, . . . which also king David did dedicate unto the Lord.

2 Sam. viii. 10, 11.

We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. . . . But in a larger sense we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground.

A. Lincoln.

2. To devote, set apart, or give up, as one's self, to a duty or service.

The profession of a soldier, to which he had dedicated himself.

Clarendon.

3. To inscribe or address, as to a patron.

He complied ten elegant books, and dedicated them to the Lord Burghley.

Peacham.

Syn. -- See Addict.

Ded`i*ca*tee" (?), n. One to whom a thing is dedicated; -- correlative to dedicator.

Ded`i*ca"tion (?), n. [L. dedicatio.] 1. The act of setting apart or consecrating to a divine Being, or to a sacred use, often with religious solemnities; solemn appropriation; as, the dedication of Solomon's temple.

2. A devoting or setting aside for any particular purpose; as, a dedication of lands to public use.

3. An address to a patron or friend, prefixed to a book, testifying respect, and often recommending the work to his special protection and favor.

Ded"i*ca`tor (?), n. [L.: cf. F. dédicateur.] One who dedicates; more especially, one who inscribes a book to the favor of a patron, or to one whom he desires to compliment.

Ded`i*ca*to"ri*al (?), a. Dedicatory.

Ded"i*ca*to*ry (?), a. [Cf. F. dédicatoire.] Constituting or serving as a dedication; complimental. "An epistle dedicatory." Dryden.

Ded"i*ca*to*ry, n. Dedication. [R.] Milton.