decapitate Pronunciation:⁄ dɪˈkapɪteɪt ⁄ verb [with object] · cut off the head of (someone): (as adjective decapitated ) a decapitated body · attempt to undermine (a group or organization) by removing its leaders: the Church had been decapitated by the arrest and deportation of all its bishops
disembowel Pronunciation: ⁄ ˌdɪsɪmˈbaʊəl, ⁄ verb (disembowels, disembowelling, disembowelled; USdisembowels, disemboweling, disemboweled) [with object] · cut open and remove the internal organs of: the dinosaur used its claw to disembowel prey
disband Pronunciation: ⁄ dɪsˈband ⁄ verb · (with reference to an organized group) break up or cause to break up: [no object]:the unit was scheduled to disband[with object]:from today the choir shall be disbanded
diocese Pronunciation: ⁄ ˈdʌɪəsɪs ⁄ noun (plural dioceses /ˈdʌɪəsiːz, -siːzɪz/) · a district under the pastoral care of a bishop in the Christian Church.
debunk Pronunciation: ⁄ diːˈbʌŋk ⁄ verb [with object] · expose the falseness or hollowness of (an idea or belief): she debunks all the usual rubbish about acting · reduce the inflated reputation of (someone): comedy takes delight in debunking heroes
dilapidated Pronunciation: ⁄ dɪˈlapɪdeɪtɪd ⁄ adjective · (of a building or object) in a state of disrepair or ruin as a result of age or neglect: old, dilapidated buildingsthe tank was now rather dilapidated
diligent Pronunciation: ⁄ ˈdɪlɪdʒ(ə)nt ⁄ adjective · having or showing care and conscientiousness in one’s work or duties: after diligent searching, he found a parcel
dapple Pronunciation: ⁄ ˈdap(ə)l ⁄ verb [with object] · mark with spots or rounded patches: the floor was dappled with pale moonlight noun · 1 a patch or spot of colour or light: a dapple of sunlight that shifted as the breeze stirred the leavestheir designs tend to be simple, spots and dapples · 2 an animal with a dappled coat: smooth and wire-haired puppies, occasional dapples and piebalds
delve Pronunciation: ⁄ dɛlv ⁄ verb [no object] · 1 reach inside a receptacle and search for something: she delved in her pocket · research or make painstaking enquiries into something: the society is determined to delve deeper into the matter · 2 archaic dig; excavate: when Adam delved and Eve span, who was then the gentleman?[with object]:the approach from the surface above had awed her, so hugely delved were the tunnels