Glossary beginning with D

d
Deforestation

The process of clearing forests, usually due to logging or to make way for farming. Deforestation leads to a range of environmental problems including the reduction of plant and animal biodiversity.

Delegates

People chosen to represent and act on the behalf of others.

Delegates

People chosen to represent and act on the behalf of others.

Demoralising

Something that takes away ones morale or hope; something depressing.

Deputations

People chosen to speak for, represent or act on behalf of others often in a legal or political environment.

Derogatory

Abusive or unkind.

Describe

Give a detailed account or description.

Dictate

When someone speaks aloud and their words are written down by someone else.

Synonyms: dictates, dictated
Discuss

Look at the arguments for and against the topic or quote.

dismantling

Taking apart, to disassemble an object or system.

Dispossession

To take away someone's property or land. In the case of indigenous Australians, dispossession is used to describe how European settlment resulted in the loss of Aboriginal ancestral land.

Dray

A heavy low cart without sides for the easy loading and unloading of goods.

Drip rifle

An unmanned rifle with a water filled can dripping into another to delay the action of the trigger.

Dual personalities

A psychological term for a person with one or more personalities, also known as multiple personality disorder.

Dubious

Doubtful or possibly unreliable.

Ductile

The ability to be stretched without snapping. From the Latin 'ductilis' which translates to 'easily led'. Ductile materials can be easily drawn into long wires.

Dysentery

A water-borne disease that causes dehydration and diarrhoea - it can often be fatal.