Dhu'lnun to Dick Amlet

Dhu’lnun, the surname of Jonah; so called because he was swallowed by a fish.

Remember Dhu’lnun, when he departed in wrath, and thought that we could not exercise our power over him.—Al Korân, xxi.

Diable Boiteux (Le), by Lesage, a tale in French prose (1707). W. Coombe published, in 1790, an English version called The Devil upon Two Sticks (q.v.).

Diafoirus (Thomas), son of Dr. Diafoirus. He is a young medical milksop, to whom Argan has promised his daughter Angelique in marriage. Diafoirus pays his compliments in cut-and-dried speeches, and on one occasion, being interrupted in his remarks, says, “Madame, vous m’avez interrompu dans le milieu de ma période, et cela m’a troublé la mémoire.” His father says, “Thomas, réservez cela pour une autre fois.” Angelique loves Cléante , and Thomas Diafoirus goes to the wall.

Il n’a jamais eu l’imagination bien vive, ni ce feu d’esprit qu’on remarque dans quelques uns, … Lorsqu’il était petit, il n’a jamais été ce qu’on appelle mièvre et éveille; on le voyait toujours doux, paisible, et taciturne, ne disant jamais mot, et ne jouant jamais à tous ces petits jeux que l’on nomme enfantins.—Molière: Malade Imaginaire, ii. 6 (1673).

Dialogues of the Dead, by George lord Lyttelton (1760–1765).

Diamond, one of three brothers, sons of the fairy Agapê. Though very strong, he was slain in single fight by Cambalo. His brothers were Priamond and Triamond.—Spenser: Faërie Queené, iv. (1596).

Diamond and Newton. (See Newton and his Dog.)

Diamond Jousts, nine jousts instituted by Arthur, and so called because a diamond was the prize. These nine diamonds were all won by sir Launcelot, who presented them to the queen; but Guinevere, in a tiff, flung them into the river which ran by the palace.—Tennyson: Idylls of the King (“Elaine”).

Diamond Sword, a magic sword given by the god Syren to the king of the Gold Mines.

She gave him a sword made of one entire diamond, that gave as great lustre as the sun.—Comtesse D’Aulnoy: Fairy Tales (“The Yellow Dwarf,” 1682).

Diamonds. The largest in the world—

Carats
(uncut).(cut).Name.Possessor.
1680*BraganzaKing of Portugal
367Rajah of Mattan (Borneo)
254Star of the South
194OrloffCzar of Russia
139½FlorentineEmp. of Austria
138½King of Portugal
410136¾PittKing of Prussia
793 5/8106 1/10Koh-i-noorQueen of England
86ShahCzar of Russia
82¼PigottMessrs. Rundell and Bridge
78NassacLord Westminster
11267 1/8Blue
53SancyCzar of Russia
88¾44¾DudleyEarl of Dudley
40Pacha of EgyptKhedive of Egypt

For particulars, see each under its name. (See also Stewart Diamond.)

DIANA, heroine and title of a pastoral by Montemayor, imitated from the Daphnis and Chloe of Longos (fourth century).

Diana, daughter of the widow of Florence with wh om Helena lodged on her way to the shrine of St. Jacques le Grand. Count Bertram wantonly loyed her; but the modest girl made this attachment the means of bringing about a reconciliation between Bertram and his wife Helena.—Shakespeare: All’s Well that Ends Well (1598).

Diana Vernon, beloved by Francis Osbaldistone.—Sir W. Scott: Rob Roy (1818).


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