ADJECTIVE 1 A decimal system involves counting in units of ten.
NOUN 2 A decimal, or decimal fraction, is a fraction in which a dot, called a decimal point, separates the whole numbers on the left from tenths, hundredths and thousandths on the right. For example, 0.5 represents 5⁄10 (or ½); 0.05 represents 5⁄100 (or 1⁄20).
decision decisions
NOUN a choice or judgement that is made about something
decisive
ADJECTIVE 1 A decisive person is able to make decisions quickly.
2 having an important influence on the result of something • The first goal was a decisive moment in the match.
deck decks
NOUN a downstairs or upstairs area on a bus or ship
declare declares, declaring, declared
VERB 1 If you declare something, you say it firmly and forcefully.
SYNONYMS: announce, proclaim, state
2 FORMAL If something is declared, it is announced publicly. • War was declared in 1939.
decline declines, declining, declipned
VERB 1 If something declines, it becomes smaller or weaker. • The number of students has declined this year.
2 If you decline something, you politely refuse to accept it or do it.
decode decodes, decoding, decoded
VERB If you decode a coded message, you convert it into ordinary language.
decompose decomposes, decomposing, decomposed
VERB If something decomposes, it rots after it dies.
decorate decorates, decorating, decorated
VERB 1 If you decorate something, you make it more attractive by adding things to it.
2 If you decorate a room or building, you paint or wallpaper it.
decoy decoys
NOUN something used to lead a person or animal into a trap
decrease decreases, decreasing, decreased
VERB If something decreases, or if you decrease it, it becomes less. • The number of children in the class decreased rapidly.
decree decrees, decreeing, decreed
NOUN 1 an official order by the government, church or the rulers of a country
VERB 2 If someone decrees something, they announce formally that it will happen.
dedicate dedicates, dedicating, dedicated
VERB 1 If you dedicate yourself to something, you give your time and energy to it.
2 If you dedicate a book or piece of music to someone, you say that it is written for them.
deduct deducts, deducting, deducted
VERB If you deduct an amount from a total, you take it away.
deed deeds
NOUN 1 something that is done • a good deed
2 an important piece of paper or document that an agreement is written on
deep deeper, deepest
ADJECTIVE 1 going a long way down from the surface • a deep hole
2 great or intense • deep affection
3 a low sound • a deep voice
deer
NOUN a large, fast-running, graceful mammal with hooves, that lives wild in parts of Britain and other countries. Male deer have antlers.
deface defaces, defacing, defaced
VERB If you deface something, you damage its appearance in some way. • The gang defaced the walls with spray paint.
defeat defeats, defeating, defeated
VERB 1 If you defeat someone or something, you win a victory over them, or cause them to fail.
NOUN 2 the state of being beaten or of failing • The team was downhearted after its defeat.
defect defects, defecting, defected