derail
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de-rail /ˌdiːˈreɪl, dɪ-/ v [T] to cause (a train) to run off the railway line: The 9.45 from Penzance was derailed by rocks placed on the line. | (fig.) right-wing elements determined to derail the peace process —ment n [C;U]
de-ranged /dɪˈreɪndʒd/ adj completely unbalanced in the mind; INSANE: a deranged mind | He's totally deranged. —rangement n [C;U]
der-by /ˈdɑːbi||ˈdɜːbi/ n 1 AmE for BOWLER 2 especially AmE a race which any competitor can enter: a bicycle derby 3 (in football and other sports) a match between two teams based in the same area: the Liverpool Derby (=between Liverpool and Everton)
Derby a city in Derbyshire. It is known for its industries, which include engineering and CHINA → see also CROWN DERBY
Derby, the a very important yearly horse race held at Epsom in England in May or June, on a day which is known as Derby Day → see also KENTUCKY DERBY
Der-by-shire /ˈdɑbiʃə ||ˈdɜː-/ a COUNTY in northern central England. The PEAK DISTRICT National Park is mainly in Derbyshire, and is a popular place for tourists.
de-reg-u-late /ˌdiːˈreɡjuleɪt/ v [T] to remove government rules and controls from (certain types of business activity) —lation /ˌdiːreɡjuˈleɪʃən/ n [U] the deregulation of air fares
der-e-lict¹ /ˈderəlɪkt/ adj (especially of a building) not used or lived in, and falling into decay or ruin: a derelict old house
derelict² n fml a person, especially an ALCOHOLIC, who has no home or legal means of support; VAGRANT: Many derelicts in the city live on the streets.
der-e-lic-tion /ˌderəˈlɪkʃən/ n 1 [C;U] fml failure to do what one should do: The policeman was accused of dereliction of duty. 2 [U] the state of being derelict
de-ride /dɪˈraɪd/ v [T] fml to laugh at or make fun of (something considered worthless); RIDICULE → see also DERISION
de ri-gueur /də riˈɡɜː/ adj [F] Fr proper and necessary according to fashion or custom: That sort of hat is de rigueur at a formal wedding.
de-ri-sion /dɪˈrɪʒən/ n [U] the act of deriding, especially by unkind laughter: They greeted his suggestion with derision.
de-ri-sive /dɪˈraɪsɪv/ also derisory adj showing derision: derisive laughter —ly adv
de-ri-so-ry /dɪˈraɪsəri/ adj 1 so useless, ineffective, or small that it cannot be taken seriously; deserving derision: They described the latest pay offer as 'derisory'. 2 showing derision —rily adv
der-i-va-tion /ˌderɪˈveɪʃən/ n 1 [C;U] the point or origin from which something comes: What is the derivation of this word? 2 [U] the process of deriving
de-riv-a-tive¹ /dɪˈrɪvətɪv/ adj usually derog not original or new because of copying or showing the influence of others: a very derivative style of painting/writing —ly adv
derivative² n [(of)] something that is based on or formed from something else of the same type: French is a derivative of Latin. | Heroin is a derivative of morphine.
de-rive /dɪˈraɪv/ v
derive from phr v [T] 1 (= derive sthg. from sbdy./sthg.) to obtain (especially something non-material) from: He derives a lot of pleasure from meeting new people. | This word is derived from Latin. 2 (= derive from sthg.) to come from; have as an origin: The word 'deride' derives from Latin. | His power derives mainly from his popularity with the army. → see also DERIVATION —derivable adj
der-ma-ti-tis /ˌdɜːməˈtaɪtɪs||ˌdɜːr-/ n [U] a disease of the skin, marked by redness, swelling, and pain → see also CONTACT DERMATITIS
der-ma-tol-o-gy /ˌdɜːməˈtɒlədʒi||ˌdɜːrmətɑː-/ n [U] the scientific study of the skin, especially of its diseases and their treatment —gist n
de-rog-ate /ˈderəɡeɪt/ v
derogate from sthg. phr v [T] fml to lessen (a valuable quality, a right etc); DETRACT from
de-rog-a-to-ry /dɪˈrɒɡətəri||dɪˈrɑːɡətɔːri/ adj fml showing or causing dislike or lack of respect. Derogatory words and phrases are marked derog in this dictionary: He made derogatory remarks about the government's economic policy. —rily /dɪˈrɒɡətərɪli||dɪˈrɑɡəˌtːrɪli/ adv
der-rick /ˈderɪk/ n 1 a CRANE for lifting and moving heavy weights, for example into or out of a ship 2 a tower built over an oil well to raise and lower the DRILL
der-ring-do /ˌderɪŋ ˈduː/ n [U] old use or humor courageous action without thought of danger
Der-ry /ˈderi/ 1 another name for the city of Londonderry in Northern Ireland. This name is used especially by the Roman Catholic population. 2 a former COUNTY in the west of Northern Ireland
Der-sho-witz, Al-an /ˈdɜːʃːwɪts||ˈdɜːr-, ˈælən/ (1938–) a well-known US lawyer, who has been the defence lawyer in many famous cases, including the TRIAL of O. J. Simpson. He became the youngest full professor at Harvard Law School at the age of 28, and has written many books.
Derv /dɜːv||dɜːrv/ BrE trademark an oil product used in DIESEL ENGINES
der-vish /ˈdɜːvɪʃ||ˈdɜːr-/ n a member of any of a number of Muslim religious groups. Some dervishes are famous for dancing, spinning around, and shouting loudly as religious practices; they are known as whirling dervishes.
de-sal-i-nate /diːˈsælɪneɪt/ v [T] to remove salt from (especially sea water) so that it can be used at home and in factories —nation /diːˌsælɪˈneɪʃən/ n [U]
de-scale /ˌdiːˈskeɪl/ v [T] to remove unwanted chalky matter (SCALE) from the inside of: This kettle needs to be descaled.
des-cant /ˈdeskænt/ n [C;U] 1 music sung or played at the same time as the main music and usually higher 2 high music; SOPRANO or TREBLE
Des-cartes, Re-né /ˈdeɪkɑːt||deɪˈkɑːrt, reˈneɪ/ (1596–1650) a French MATHEMATICIAN and PHILOSOPHER famous for establishing the principle of 'cogito ergo sum' (=I think, therefore I am), that is, I know that I exist because I know that I think
de-scend /dɪˈsend/ v [I;T] rather fml to come, fall, or sink from a higher to a lower level; go down: The sun descended behind the hills. | The Queen descended the stairs. | I want to talk about all these points in descending order of importance. → opposite ASCEND; see also DESCENT
descend on/upon sbdy./sthg. phr v [T] 1 (of a group of people) to attack: Armed thieves descended on the helpless travellers. 2 to arrive, especially in large numbers, to visit or stay with, often unexpectedly: The whole family descended on us at Christmas.
descend to sthg. phr v [T+obj/v-ing] to lower oneself to (a dishonourable or unpleasant level of behaviour): I didn't expect him to descend to personal abuse/to abusing me personally.
de-scen-dant /dɪˈsendənt/ n [(of)] a person (or animal) that has another as grandfather or grandmother, great-grandfather etc: He is a descendant of Queen Victoria. → compare ANCESTOR
de-scend-ed /dɪˈsendd/ adj [F+from] having the stated person or animal as grandfather or grandmother, great-grandfather etc. Some people are very proud of the people they are descended from: She claims to be descended from George Washington.
de-scent /dɪˈsent/ n. 1 a) [C;U] the process of going down: We watched anxiously (during) her descent from the tree. | (fig.) his descent into a life of crime b) [C] a way down; downward slope, path etc: a steep descent → opposite ASCENT 2 [U] family origins of the stated type: She is of German descent. 3 [S;U] a sudden and especially unwelcome visit or attack: the annual descent on the city of thousands of tourists
de-scribe /dɪˈskrab/ v [T] 1 [(as)] to say what something is like; give a picture of in words: The police asked me to describe the two men. | [+wh-] Try to describe exactly how it happened. | The seller described it as a vintage car, but I'd call it an old wreck. 2 fml or tech to draw or move in the shape of: to describe a circle within a square | The falling star described a long curve in the sky. → see also DESCRIPTION
de-scrip-tion /dɪˈskrɪpʃən/ n 1 [C;U] (the act of giving) a statement or account that describes: The police have issued a detailed description of the missing woman. | This book gives a