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decrepit

"Some schools are in such decrepit condition that students will be transferred to safer schools until repairs can be made." NYC Schools Chancellor Rudy Crew, Newsday, 7/6/99

deem

"You shall stay here as long as the proper authorities deem necessary." Bernard Malamud, The Fixer

defamatory

"His defamatory remarks about minorities are transmitted on the Internet." TIME, 8/30/99

degraded

"The world is weary of statesmen who have become degraded into politicians." Benjamin Disraeli

deleterious

"These statutes will have a deleterious effect on the public interest." Supreme Court Justice Tom Clark, speech, 1960

delineation

"There is no need for an exact delineation of a standard for a permit to hold a street meeting." Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter, decision, 1951

deluded

"Mrs. Barrows had deluded herself that you visited her last evening and behaved in an unseemly manner." James Thurber, "The Catbird Seat"

deluge

"The art exhibit brought a deluge of criticism because of its subject matter." New York Daily News, 9/28/99

delve

"We can help you delve deeper into your destination and take you places most travel companies miss." Grand Circle Travel Booklet

demeanor

"You could tell by her demeanor that she was more than a bit upset by the unexpected news." New York Times, 9/7/99

demur

"At first the Crown Prince would demur, but after being prodded, he would generally choose dictation, which he liked least." Elizabeth Gray Vining, Windows for the Crown Prince

denote

"The origins of the letters 'O.K.' to denote 'all right' are not clear." Bill Bryson, Mother Tongue

depict

"How can one depict the beauty and impact of Grand Canyon in words or pictures?" Freeman Tilden, The National Parks

deplorable

"The troops were amazed at the deplorable conditions in the refugee camp." Newsweek, 5/12/97

deploy

"Eisenhower expressed the hope that the United States would not be the first to deploy a weapon so horrible." David McCullough, Truman

deprecate

"Why do they always deprecate the efforts of a woman press secretary, but rarely a man doing the same job?" New York, 9/25/95

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Joseph Welch, "Should a Lawyer Defend a Guilty Man?"

desultory

"Mortimer enters and, distracted by what his aunts are doing, plants a desultory kiss upon Elaine's cheek." Joseph Kesselring, Arsenic and Old Lace

deter

"Concern for his job did not deter him from making public the dangers of smoking." "Brave Politician," New York Times, 4/12/99

detriment

"The New York City Board of Education voted not to renew the chancellor's contract as the majority viewed him as a detriment to improvements in education." New York Newsday, 1/4/00

devout

"This author has a devout following among young readers." New York Times Book Review, 7/25/98

dexterity

"Ali built his career based on his dexterity, both in the ring and in the use of colorful language." Boxing, 3/95

diatribe

"Rebecca Gilman's new play could easily have been an easy diatribe against racism." TIME, 6/7/99

dilettante

"This art exhibit is not for the dilettante; the subject matter is too shocking." New York Daily News, 10/3/99

diminutive

"A giant of a chef, he is a diminutive, modest man." New York Post, 10/10/99

discern

"He could not see that the Justice's face was kindly nor discern that his voice was troubled." William Faulkner, "Barn Burning"

disciples

"Rick and his disciples dominated the entire summer scene, making it unpleasant for those who were not part of the inner circle." Ellis R. Sloane, Catskill Idyll [adapted]

discreet

"When questioned about her husband's illegal activities, she kept a discreet silence." Newsday, 5/16/99

disdain

"Hillary shows disdain for the idea that matters other than policy are anyone's business." Margaret Carlson, "Uh-Oh, the Real First Lady Shows Up," TIME, 6/7/99

disgruntled

"The police believe the damage was done by a disgruntled ex-employee." Newsday, 5/16/99

disheveled

"The wind tugged at and disheveled her hair." William Cowper, The Task

dismantle

"Wayne Huizenga's move to dismantle the World Series Marlin squad has hurt the Florida team at the box office." Ralph Kiner, baseball announcer, Fox Sports [adapted]

disparage

"It (government control) has been called crackpot, but that doesn't disparage it for me." E. B. White, One Man's Meat