decrepitude (dekrepitud)

[F. décrépi tude = Sp. decrepitud = Pg. decrepitude, IMG:content-2189.png:[blocks in formation] In thy book it is written of me, says Christ, that I should do thy will; he is not willing only, but the first de creer of it; it is written of me. Good win, Works, I. iii. 103. decreet (dē-krēt'), n. [ OF.decret , L.decretum , a decree: see decree.] In Scots law , a decree. See decree , n ., 1. Frendraught obtained a decreet against him for 200,000 merks. Spalding , Hist. Troubles in Scotland, I. 51. decrement (dek're-ment), n. [= Sp. Pg. It. dec remen to, LL. dec remen tum, a decrease, I do not believe the understanding part of man received any natural decrement or diminution. Jer. Taylor , Works (ed. 1835), Ι. 723. Rocks, mountains, and the other elevations of the earth suffer a continual decrement. Woodward . 2. The quantity lost by gradual diminution or waste; specifically, in math., the small part by which a variable quantity becomes le and le . The increments in time are proportional to the decre ments in pre ure. Frank land, Chemistry, III. i. 880. Each increment of evolution entails a decrement of reproduction that is not accurately proportionate, but somewhat le than proportionate. H. Spencer, Prin. of Biol., § 364. 3. In her., the condition of waning: said of the moon. It is represented by turning the horns of the crescent toward the sinister side. Also called detriment.-4. In crystal., a succe ive diminution of the layers of molecules applied to the faces of the primitive form, by which the secondary forms are hypothetically produced.-Equal decrement of life, in the doctrine of annuities of insurance companies, the theory that in a given number of lives there should be an equal annual decrease within a given period. decrepit (de-krep'it), a. [ IMG:content-2190.png:[blocks in formation] Is a true loadstone to draw on Decrepity ! Chapman, All Fools, iv. 1. decrescendo (It. pron. da-kre-shen'dō), n. [It., ppr. of decrescere, indicated by decres., dec., or the sign = decrease.] A decreasing. Nor can we now perceive that the world becomes more or le than it was, by which decretion we might gue at a former increase. Bp. Pearson, Expos. of Creed, i.