demagogue(DEM uh GOG) n.one who tries to rouse the people by appealing
to emotion, prejudice, etc. to win them over and attain (political) power
- Hitler was the most infamous demagogueof the twentieth century.
- Stalin was a terrible dictator, but he does not qualify as a demagogue
because he gained power by brute force alone.
[demagogy, -ry n.]
demeanor (di MEEN oer) n.outward manner; carriage; the way one behaves - Princess Diana had a regal demeanorand a gentle one.
- Between a Rottweiler and a Doberman pinscher, the Rottie has the meaner
demeanor.
[Brit. sp.demeanour] [Syn. bearing]
democracy (di MAHK ri see) n.1. government by the people, with the popu-
lace holding the reins of power, either directly or through elected representatives;
power in the hands of the ruled; 2. a country, state, etc. with that type of govern-
ment; 3. majority rule; 4. the principle of equal rights and opportunities for all, and
equal treatment by the legal system; the practice of these principles - Athens had the first experiment in democracywe know of.
- American democracywas not viewed kindly by the crowned heads of
eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Europe. - India is the world’s largest democracyin terms of population.
- Schoolchildren learn the principles of democracyby voting for class officers
(who have little to no power). - The U.S. Constitution is the primary legal document that assures the prin-
ciples of democracybe followed.
demonstrate(DEM uhn STRAYT) vt.1. to prove; show by reasoning; 2. to
make clear or explain through examples, experiments, etc.; 3. to show how a prod-
uct works or what it tastes like in order to sell it; 4. to show feelings plainly - Descartes was the first philosopher to demonstratehis existence by the dic-
tum, “I think, therefore I am.” - The operation of the steam engine is often demonstratedin classes using a
cutaway working model. - There are often people demonstratingcertain foods at the warehouse club
by offering free samples in small cups. - Tears on her cheek demonstratedPatricia’s sadness.
[-d, demonstrating]
denounce*(di NOWNS) vt.1. to condemn publicly; inform against; 2. to accuse
of being evil; 3. to give formal notice of the termination of (a treaty, armistice, etc.) - American loyalists denouncedWashington as a traitor to the British Crown.
- The French patriots denouncedLouis XVI as a tyrant.
- The Japanese government did not denouncethe naval treaty that limited
the size and number of warships they could build; they just disregarded it.
[-d, denouncing] [Syn. criticize]
deny (di NY) vt.1. to declare something untrue; contradict; 2. to not accept as
factual; to reject as unfounded, unreal, etc.; 3. to disown; to refuse to acknowledge
as one’s own; rerepudiate; 4. to not allow the use of or access to; 5. refuse to grant
or give; 6. to refuse a person’s request
76 Essential Vocabulary