This article’s title obviously, and without apology, plays off the post “B is for the B Sides” published a few weeks ago. However, the letter “d” begins many “dark” words: devil, dastardly, doubt, despair, depression. The letter also starts neutral words: deliberate, for example, could center a person undergoing a trial. He or she makes a deliberate choice to believe God is good despite a chronic illness or prolonged unemployment.
Other “d” words delight — ha, another “d” sidles onto the list — the tongue. Decadent somehow feels as though it must accompany chocolate mousse or cheesecake. Dubious recalls no such delicious baked goods, but it seems to evoke a furrowed brow.
Ah, words. Where to begin a list of ones beginning with “d,” after all the ones already shared? Perhaps at the beginning of the “d” entries in the dictionary.
Dab Hand
Noun. [Chiefly British.] (c. 1828) An expert.
(Strangely enough, dab hand stands opposed to “dabble” and “dabbler.” The first claims expertise; the second, in either verb or noun form, refers to someone who “works superficially.”)
Damocles
Noun. [Literally, from the Greek Damokles.] A courtier of ancient Syracuse held to have been seated at a banquet beneath a sword hung by a single hair.
(Damocles can be used in adjective form: Damoclean. The word conjures images of Frodo speaking with Galadriel (Lord of the Rings) or Maerad meeting Lady Ardina (The First Book of Pellinor), but it might be applicable to some Congress or Senate members.)
Deasil
Adverb. [From the Gaelic deiseil.] (1771) Clockwise.
(I know of no instances where one might use the word “deasil,” but it corresponds with another lovely, odd word: widdershins. Deasil carries with it a sense of rightness whereas widdershins conveys contrariness.)
Defiance
Noun. (1300s) The act or an instance of defying; challenge. A disposition to resist; willingness to contend or fight—in defiance of; contrary to; despite <worked in defiance of doctor’s orders>.
(For his defiance, he was placed beneath a Damocles sword.)
Diatribe
Noun. [From the Greek diatribe, pastime, discourse; from diatribein to spend (time), wear away; from dia + tribein, to rub.] (1581) Archaic: a prolonged discourse. A bitter and abusive speech or writing. Ironical or satirical criticism.
(Jonathan Swift turned the diatribe into an art form.)
Dog-Eat-Dog
Adjective. (1834) Marked by ruthless self-interest <~competition>.
(In a dog-eat-dog world, Jesus calls his followers to be as wise as serpents and gentle as doves.)
Doppelganger
Noun. [From the German doppelgånger; from doppel- (double) + -ganger (goer).] (1830) A ghostly counterpart of a living person; broadly: a double.
(With as many reports of “Erin” doppelgangers as I receive, I ought to keep a spreadsheet documenting the incidents.)
Duster
Noun. (1576) One that removes dust. A lightweight over-garment to protect clothing from dust; a dress-length housecoat. One that scatters fine particles; specifically, a device for applying insecticidal or fungicidal dusts to crops. Dust storm.
(Considering all the definitions for duster, could a person wear a duster that unleashes dust storms? It might be possible in Brandon Sanderson’s universe.)
Dystopia
Noun. (c. 1950) An imaginary place which is depressingly wretched and whose people lead a fearful existence. Anti-utopia.
(Many writers employ dystopias, but Margaret Atwood may be one of the finest.)
What are your favorite “d” words? Share them in the comments.
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Image: Alyssa L. Miller (Creative Commons)
