Bryson•s Dictionary for Writers and Editors

deprecate / de trop
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deprecate does not mean to play down or show modesty, as is often
intended. It means to disapprove of strongly or to protest against.
de profundis. (Lat.) “From the depths”; a heartfelt cry.
De Quincy, Thomas. (1785–1859) English writer.
de rigueur. Often misspelled. Note the second u.
derisive, derisory. Something that is derisive conveys ridicule or contempt.
Something that is derisory invites it. A derisory offer is
likely to provoke a derisive response.
descendible.
Deschanel, Zooey. (1980–) American actress.
Deschutes River, Oregon.
déshabillé (Fr.) Untidily or incompletely dressed; usually rendered
in English as dishabille.
De Sica, Vittorio. (1902–1974) Italian film actor and director.
desiccate.
de Soto, Hernando. (c. 1496–1542) Spanish explorer.
desperate.
despite, in spite of. There is no distinction between the two. A common
construction is seen here: “But despite the cold weather the game
went ahead.” Because despite and in spite of indicate a change of
emphasis, “but” is generally superfluous with either. It is enough
to say “Despite the cold weather the game went ahead.”
destroy is an incomparable—almost. If a house is consumed by fire,
it is enough to say that it was destroyed, not that it was “completely
destroyed” or “totally destroyed.” However, and illogical
as it may seem, it is all right to speak of a house that has been
partly destroyed. There is simply no other way of putting it
without resorting to more circuitous descriptions. That is perhaps
absurd and inconsistent, but ever thus was English.
destructible.
detestable.
de trop. (Fr.) Excessive.