demand

[(1) to ask by ordering; (2) to ask with force]

His wife demanded that he paint the windows. (1)

The law demands that we pay our taxes on time. (2)

democracy

[the system of government in which citizens vote to choose leaders or to make other important decisions]

The United States has been a representative democracy for more than two hundred years.

demonstrate

[(1) to make a public show of opinions or feelings; (2) to explain by using examples]

The crowd demonstrated in support of human rights. (1)

The teacher demonstrated the idea with an experiment. (2)

denounce

[(1) to accuse of being wrong or evil; (2) to criticize severely]

The war crimes court denounced the general for murder and other evil acts. (1)

The candidate denounced the newspaper report about his arrest. (2)

deny

[(1) to declare that something is not true; (2) to refuse a request]

The mayor denied the report that he had taken illegal payments. (1)

The appeals court denied the woman's request for a new trial. (2)

depend

[to need help and support]

I depend on my friends for emotional support.

deplore

[(1) to regret strongly; (2) to express sadness]

The United Nations deplored the latest violence in the Middle East. (1)

The President deplored the deaths in the ship explosion. (2)

deploy

[to move forces or weapons into positions for action]

The general deployed his forces along the border.

depression

[(1) severe unhappiness; (2) a period of reduced business and economic activity during which many people lose their jobs]

The doctor gave her medicine for her depression. (1)

The latest economic depression in the United States happened a long time ago. (2)

describe

[(1) to give a word picture of something; (2) to give details of something]

The young man described his home in the desert. (1)

The report described how the problem developed. (2)

desert

[a dry area of land]

Survival is difficult in the hot, dry desert.

design

[to plan or create plans for]

An architect designed my new home.

desire

[(1) to want very much; (2) to wish for]

After traveling for two weeks, Jim very much desired a meal cooked at home. (1)

If you could have anything you wanted, what would you desire? (2)

destroy

[(1) to break into pieces; (2) to end the existence of]

The earthquake destroyed many houses. (1)

His actions destroyed any trust between them. (2)

detail

[(1) a small part of something; (2) a small piece of infomp3ation]

Lisa decided every detail of her wedding. (1)

I want to hear every detail of your story. (2)

develop

[(1) to grow; (2) to create; (3) to experience progress]

He is developing into a fine young man. (1)

The professor developed a new way to teach English. (2)

The country needed many years to develop an industrial economy. (3)

device

[a piece of equipment made for a special purpose]

The microwave cooker is a device I use every day.

dictator

[a ruler with complete power]

The people of Yugoslavia forced the dictator from power.

die

[(1) to become dead; (2) to stop living; (3) to end]

If you touch that wire you will die. (1)

The river died slowly as pollution increased. (2)

All hope died when the prison gate closed. (3)

diet

[usual daily food and drink]

The doctor ordered a special diet to help him lose weight.

different

[not the same]

His clothes are different from mine.

difficult

[(1) not easy; (2) hard to do, make or carry out]

Keith was a difficult child. (1)

Building a boat is a difficult job. (2)

dig

[to make a hole in the ground]

Dig here and you will find water.

dinner

[(1) the main amount of food eaten at a usual time; (2) a special event that includes food ]

The family had its dinner at noon. (1)

The official dinner took place at the White House. (2)

diplomat

[a person who represents his or her government in dealing with another government]

Most foreign diplomats live in the Washington area.

direct

[(1) to lead; (2) to aim or show the way;(3) straight to something; (4) not through some other person or thing]

The mayor directs all city agencies. (1)

He directed me to the theater. (2)

The most direct way to Annapolis is Highway 50. (3)

The path is direct. (4)