—v. (-ling) 1 blind or confuse temporarily with a sudden bright light.

- impress or overpower with knowledge, ability, etc. —n. Bright confusing light. dazzling adj. Dazzlingly adv. [from *daze]

n. (fem. (in senses 2 and 3) deaconess) 1 (in episcopal churches) minister below bishop and priest.

- (in nonconformist churches) lay officer.

- (in the early church) minister of charity. [greek diakonos servant]

v. - deprive of or lose vitality, force, brightness, sound, feeling, etc.

- (foll. By to) make insensitive.

nightshade n. Poisonous plant with purple-black berries.

- —adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 causing or able to cause fatal injury or serious damage.

- intense, extreme (deadly dullness).

- (of aim etc.) True; effective.

- deathlike (deadly pale).

- colloq. Dreary, dull. —adv. - like death; as if dead (deadly faint).

- extremely (deadly serious).

v. (often as deafening adj.) Overpower with noise or make deaf by noise, esp. Temporarily. deafeningly adv.

n. - trader in (esp. Retail) goods (car-dealer; dealer in tobacco).

- player dealing at cards.

- jobber on the stock exchange.

n. My dear. dearie me! Int. Expressing surprise, dismay, etc.

n. Scarcity, lack.

v. Land from a ship. debarkation n. [french debarquer]

v. (-sing) 1 lower in quality, value, or character.

- depreciate (a coin) by alloying etc. debasement n. [from *de-, *abase]