Chapter Devil's Den to Diamond Jousts of D by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

England was Coulin, whom he chased to a vast pit eight leagues across. The monster trying to leap this pit, fell backwards, and lost his life in the chasm. When Brutus allotted out the island, this portion became Debon's-share.

"And eke that ample pit, yet far renowned
For the large leap which Debon did compell
Coulin to make, being eight lugs of grownd,
Into the which retourning back he fell ...
In mede of these great conquests by them got
Corineus had that province utmost west ...
And Debon's share was that is Devonshire
Spenser: Faërie Queene, book ii. canto x. 11, 12.

Devonshire Poet O. Jones, a journeyman wool-comber, who lived at the close of the 18th century. Edward Capern, called "The rural Postman of Bideford" (born 1819), and John Gay, author of the Beggar's Opera, etc. (1688-1732), of Barnstaple (Devonshire).

Dew-beaters The feet; shoes to resist the wet.

"Hold out your dew-beaters till I take off the darbies [iron shoes or fetters]." - Peveril of the Peak

Dew- bit (A). A snack before breakfast.

Dew-drink A draught before breakfast. In harvest the men are allowed, in some counties, a drink of beer before they begin work.

Dexterity means right-handed skill (Latin, dexter, the right hand). "Awkward" (q.v.) means left-handed; gauche is the French, and sinister the Latin for the left hand. Certainly the German left-handed marriages are sinister ones.

Dgellabæ'an The Persian era. Dgella Eddin, son of Togrul Beg, appointed eight astronomers to reform the calendar. The era began A.D. 1075, and is followed to this day.

Dhuldul (See Horse .)

Diable (Le). Olivier Ledain, the tool of Louis XI., and once the king's barber. So called because he was as much feared as his Satanic Majesty, and even more disliked. (Hanged 1484.)
   Robert le Diable. Meyerbeer's grand opera. (See Robert.)

Diadem meant, originally, a fillet wound round the head. The diadem of Bacchus was a broad band, which might be unfolded so as to make a veil. Hieronymus, king of Syracuse (B.C. 216-215), wore a diadem. Constantine the Great (306-337) was the first of the Roman emperors who wore a diadem. After his time it was set with rows of pearls and precious stones. (Greek dia-deo, to bind entirely.)

Dialectics Metaphysics; the art of disputation; that strictly logical discussion which leads to reliable results. The product or result is ideas, which, being classified, produce knowledge; but all knowledge being of the divine types, must conduce more or less to practical results and good morals. (Greek, dia-lego, to speak thoroughly.)
    Kant used the word to signify the theory of fallacies, and Hegel for that concept which of necessity develops its opposite.
   The following questions from John of Salisbury are fair specimens of the Middle-age subjects of discussion : -
   (1) When a person buys a whole cloak, does the cowl belong to his purchase?
   (2) When a hog is driven to market with a rope round its neck, does the man or the rope take him?

Diamond A corruption of adamant. So called because the diamond, which cuts other substances, can be cut or polished with no substance but itself. (Greek, a damao, what cannot be subdued. Latin, adamas, gen. adamant-is; French, diamant.)
   Diamond (3 syl.). Son of Agapë, a fairy. He was very strong, and fought either on foot or horse with a battle-axe. He was slain in single combat by Cambalo. (See TRIAMOND.) (Spenser: Faërie Queene, book iv.)
   A diamond of the first water. A man of the highest merit. The colour or lustre of a pearl or diamond is called its "water." One of the "first water" is one of the best colour and