Words Starting with D

Browse word origins and etymology

D

The fourth letter of the English alphabet.

Dáibhí

An Irish masculine given name, equivalent to David in English.

David

A masculine personal name of Hebrew origin, traditionally borne by the biblical king of Israel.

Dönüm

A traditional Turkish unit of land area, historically varying in size and now commonly standardized at 1,000 square metres.

Döner

A dish of seasoned meat roasted on a vertical rotating spit and served in slices, often in bread or a wrap.

Dönme

A member of a Jewish Sabbatean movement whose followers publicly converted to Islam while retaining elements of their religious tradition.

Dùndún

A Yoruba double-headed pressure drum whose pitch can be altered by squeezing its cords, often used to imitate speech.

Dāʿī

An Islamic missionary or religious propagandist, especially one associated with Ismaili Islam.

Dāʿī

A Muslim missionary or religious preacher, especially one associated with Ismaili Islam.

Dār Al-Ḥarb

A classical Islamic-jurisprudential term for a territory regarded as outside the domain of Islamic rule and potentially in a state of conflict.

Dōjō

A place where martial arts or other disciplined practices are taught and practiced.

D’var Torah

A short sermon or teaching about a passage from the Torah, usually delivered in a Jewish religious setting.

D'mba

A monumental female fertility mask and ritual figure associated especially with the Baga people of Guinea.

Da

An informal word for father, especially in Scottish, Irish, and Northern English usage.

Dawah

The practice of inviting people to understand or embrace Islam.

Da'at

In Kabbalah, Da'at is the sephirah or hidden point representing knowledge and the conscious integration of wisdom and understanding.

Da'ath

In Kabbalah, Da'ath is the state or sefirah-like principle of knowledge formed through the integration of wisdom and understanding.

Da'i

An Islamic religious teacher or missionary who calls people to faith, especially within Ismaili Islam.

Da'wah

The Islamic practice of inviting people to understand, accept, or follow Islam.

Dab

To touch lightly or briefly, or a small amount of something.