| death squad |
a group, such as a firing squad or hired assassins, that carries out executions, esp. political ones. |
| death tax |
see inheritance tax. |
| deathtrap |
a place or situation in which death could readily occur, such as an unsafe building. |
| death warrant |
an official authorization to carry out execution of a death sentence. [2 definitions] |
| deathwatch |
the act of waiting by or near the side of a dead or dying person. [3 definitions] |
| death wish |
a usu. unconscious desire for one's own or another's death. |
| deb |
(informal) a debutante. |
| debacle |
a sudden collapse into disaster; downfall. [3 definitions] |
| debar |
to shut out; exclude. [2 definitions] |
| debark1 |
to put or go ashore, as from a ship; disembark. |
| debark2 |
to take the bark off of (a log). |
| debase |
to reduce in value, quality, esteem, or character. |
| debatable |
open to debate or argument; doubtful. |
| debate |
a discussion of two opposing viewpoints, usu. in a formal meeting or assembly. [7 definitions] |
| debauch |
to lead or seduce into immorality or intemperance; corrupt. [3 definitions] |
| debauchee |
one who excessively indulges in sensual pleasures. |
| debauchery |
excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures, or an instance of this. (see orgy.) |
| debenture |
a corporate or government bond that pays fixed interest and that is backed by the issuer's credit status. [2 definitions] |
| debilitate |
to make feeble; weaken. |
| debility |
a state of unusual physical weakness, esp. as the result of disease. |
| debit |
an amount of money removed from or owed on an account, or the record of that amount. [5 definitions] |