Chapter Dunderhead to Dust of D by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Majesty by the nose. One can trace in this legend the notion that all knowledge belonged to the Black Art; that the "saints" are always more than conquerors over the spirits of evil; and the singular cunning which our forefathers so delighted to honour.

Duodecimo A book whose sheets are folded into twelve leaves each. This word, which differs from both the Italian and French, is from the Latin duodecim (twelve). It is now called twelvemo, from the contraction 12mo. The term is still applied to books that are the same size as the old duodecimo, irrespective of the number of leaves into which the sheet is folded.
   A man in duodecimo is a dwarf.(See Decimo.)

Duomo (The). The cathedral.

"The supreme executive of Florence suspended Savonarola from preaching in the Duomo." - Symonds: Renaissance in Italy.

Dup is do up. Thus Ophelia says, in one of her snatches, he "dupt the chamber door," i.e. did up or pushed up the latch, in order to open the door, that he might "let in the maid" (Hamlet, iv. 1). A portcullis and some other doors were lifted up or dupped.

"Iche weene the porters are drunk. Will they not dup the gate to-day." - Edwards: Damon and Pithias (1571).

Dupes (See Day of The Dupes )

Durandana or Durindana. Orlando's sword, given him by his cousin Malagigi. It once belonged to Hector, and was made by the fairies. It could cleave the Pyrenees at a blow. N. B. - In French romance Orlando is called Roland, Malagigi Mangis, and the sword durandal or durindal (See Sword.)

"Nor plaited shield, nor tempered casque defends,
Where Durindana's trenchant edge descends."
Hoole: Orlando Furioso, book v

Durandartë A knight who fell at Roncesvalles, cousin to Montesinos. The tale says he loved Belerma, whom he served seven years, at the expiration of which time he was slain. In his last breath he told Montesinos to take his heart and give it to Belerma. He is described by Lewis as

"Sweet in manners, fair in favour,
Mild in temper, fierce in fight."

Durante    Durante bene placito (Latin). During pleasure.
   Durante minore ætate (Latin). During minority.
   Durante viduitate (Latin). During widowhood.
   Durante vita (Latin). For life.

Durbar (Indian word). A levée.

"Durbars which might rival in splendour of colour and jewelled bravery the glories of the court of Byzantium." - McCarthy: England under Gladstone, chap. iv. p. 60.

Durden (Dame). A notable housewife. Dame Durden, of the famous English song, kept five serving girls to carry the milking pails, and also kept five serving men to use the spade and flail. The five men loved the five maids.

" 'Twas Moll and Bet, and Doll and Kate, and Dorothy Draggletail;
And John and Dick, and Joe and Jack, and Humphrey with his flail."Anon.

Dürer (Albert), of Nürnberg, called by his countrymen "the prince of artists," and by many the "Chaucer of painting." (1471-1528.)

    Dürer's portraits of Charlemagne and other emperors are unrivalled; but Lucas Kranach's (1472-1553) portraits of Luther and other reformers are said to run them very close in merit.

Duresley You are a man of Duresley, i.e. a great liar and cheat. Duresley is a market-town in Gloucestershire, famous for its broadcloth manufactory. Now called Dursley. (See Fuller: Worthies.) The word "cabbage," connected with tailors, seems to confirm the notion that our forefathers had no very high opinion of their honesty.

Durham Book By Eadfrid, Bishop of Lindisfarne, who died in 721, one of the most splendid examples of illumination in the world.