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de·mar·cate verb -cat·ed; -cat·ing 1 : to fix or define the limits of : DELIMIT

2 : to set apart : DISTINGUISH

Synonyms

bound, circumscribe, define, delimit, limit, mark, terminate—more at LIMIT

de·mar·ca·tion noun : the act or process of demarcating; also : the result of demarcating

Synonyms

discrimination, distinction, separation—more at SEPARATION

dé·marche or de·marche noun : a course of action : MANEUVER

1demean verb de·meaned; de·mean·ing : to behave or conduct (oneself) usu. in a proper manner

Synonyms

acquit, bear, behave, comport, conduct, deport, quit—more at BEHAVE

2demean verb de·meaned; de·mean·ing : to lower in character, status, or reputation : DEGRADE

Synonyms

abase, corrupt, debase, debauch, degrade, demoralize, deprave, pervert, poison, profane, prostitute, subvert, warp—more at DEBASE

de·mean·or noun : behavior toward others : BEARING

Synonyms

actions, bearing, behavior, comportment, conduct, deportment—more at BEHAVIOR

de·ment·ed adjective : disordered in mind : INSANE

— de·ment·ed·ly adverb

de·men·tia noun 1 : deterioration of cognitive functioning (as in Alzheimer's disease)

2 : a deranged state of the mind : INSANITY

Synonyms

aberration, derangement, insanity, lunacy, madness, mania—more at INSANITY

de·mer·it noun 1 : a quality that deserves blame or lacks merit : FAULT

2 : a mark placed against a person's record for some fault or offense

Synonyms

failing, fault, foible, frailty, shortcoming, vice, weakness—more at FAULT

de·mesne noun 1 : manorial land actually possessed by the lord and not held by free tenants

2 a : the land attached to a mansion

b : ESTATE

3 : an indeterminate geographic area : REGION

4 : a sphere of knowledge, influence, or activity : REALM

Synonyms

[2a] grounds, park, premises, yard

[3] area, field, region, zone—more at REGION

demi·god noun : a mythological being with more power than a mortal but less than a god

demi·john noun [ORIGIN: F dame-jeanne, lit., Lady Jane]

: a large narrow-necked bottle usu. enclosed in wickerwork

de·mil·i·ta·rize verb : to strip of military forces, weapons, or fortifications

— de·mil·i·tar·i·za·tion noun

demi·mon·daine noun : a woman of the demimonde

demi·monde noun [ORIGIN: F demi-monde, fr. demi- half + monde world]

1 : a class of women on the fringes of respectable society supported by wealthy lovers

2 : a distinct isolated group having low reputation or prestige

de·min·er·al·ize verb : to remove the mineral matter from

— de·min·er·al·i·za·tion noun

de·mise noun 1 : LEASE

2 : transfer of sovereignty to a successor <~ of the crown>

3 a : a permanent cessation of all vital functions : DEATH

b : a cessation of existence or activity

4 : loss of status

Synonyms

[3a] death, expiration, termination—more at DEATH

[3b] death, decease, doom, end, passing, quietus—more at DEATH

demi·tasse noun : a small cup of black coffee; also : the cup used to serve it

demo noun, plural demos 1 : DEMONSTRATION

2 : a product used to show performance or merits to prospective buyers

3 : a recording used to show off a song or performer

de·mo·bi·lize verb 1 : DISBAND

2 : to discharge from military service

— de·mo·bi·li·za·tion noun

de·moc·ra·cy noun, plural -cies [ORIGIN: MF democratie, fr. LL democratia, fr. Gk dēmokratia, fr. dēmos people + kratos strength, power]

1 : government by the people; especially : rule of the majority

2 : a government in which the supreme power is held by the people

3 : a political unit that has a democratic government

4 cap : the principles and policies of the Democratic party in the U.S.

5 : the common people esp. when constituting the source of political authority

6 : the absence of hereditary or arbitrary class distinctions or privileges

dem·o·crat noun 1 : one who believes in or practices democracy

2 cap : a member of the Democratic party of the U.S.

dem·o·crat·ic adjective 1 : of, relating to, or favoring democracy

2 often cap : of or relating to one of