| desensitize |
to cause to react with less intensity, as to light or other stimuli. [2 definitions] |
| desert1 |
a very dry, often sandy area with little or no plant growth. [5 definitions] |
| desert2 |
to abandon and thereby be remiss in one's duties or obligations. [3 definitions] |
| desert3 |
(often pl.) that which one deserves, esp. something unpleasant. |
| deserter |
someone who abandons or forsakes his or her military post, duties, or obligations. |
| desertification |
the transformation of fertile land to desert by natural causes, esp. drought, or through human activity such as deforestation, overgrazing, and the like. |
| desertify |
to cause to change from land capable of sustaining plant life and agriculture to desert land that is essentially barren. |
| desertion |
willful abandonment of one's spouse or children, as well as all related legal responsibilities. [2 definitions] |
| deserve |
to be qualified for or worthy of; merit. [2 definitions] |
| deserved |
rightly earned; merited. |
| deservedly |
with justification; rightly. |
| deserving |
worthy of praise, regard, assistance, or the like. |
| desex |
to remove the sex organs of; castrate or spay. [2 definitions] |
| desiccant |
causing dryness. [2 definitions] |
| desiccate |
to eliminate the moisture in; dry up. [3 definitions] |
| desiderate |
to want, need, or long for. |
| desideratum |
something that is needed or wanted. |
| design |
to make or draw plans for, esp. the structure or form of. [11 definitions] |
| designate |
to distinguish by means of description, marks, name, or the like; specify. [5 definitions] |
| designated hitter |
in the American League in baseball, a team member chosen at the beginning of a game to bat in place of the pitcher. |
| designation |
an act or instance of indicating or pointing out. [3 definitions] |