10 VERB If you dip into a sum of money that you had intended to save, you use some of it to buy something or pay for something. □ [V + into ] Just when she was ready to dip into her savings, Greg hastened to her rescue.
11 → see also lucky dip
12 to dip your toes → see toe
Dip. Dip. is a written abbreviation for diploma .
diph|theria /d I fθ I ə riə, d I p-/ N‑UNCOUNT Diphtheria is a dangerous infectious disease which causes fever and difficulty in breathing and swallowing.
diph|thong /d I fθɒŋ, d I p-/ (diphthongs ) N‑COUNT A diphthong is a vowel in which the speaker's tongue changes position while it is being pronounced, so that the vowel sounds like a combination of two other vowels. The vowel sound in 'tail' is a diphthong.
di|plo|ma /d I ploʊ mə/ (diplomas ) N‑COUNT A diploma is a qualification which may be awarded to a student by a university or college, or by a high school in the United States. □ [+ in ] …a new two-year course leading to a diploma in social work.
di|plo|ma|cy /d I ploʊ məsi/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Diplomacy is the activity or profession of managing relations between the governments of different countries. □ Today's UN resolution will be a significant success for American diplomacy.
2 → see also shuttle diplomacy
3 N‑UNCOUNT Diplomacy is the skill of being careful to say or do things which will not offend people. □ He stormed off in a fury, and it took all Minnelli's powers of diplomacy to get him to return.
dip|lo|mat ◆◇◇ /d I pləmæt/ (diplomats ) N‑COUNT A diplomat is a senior official who discusses affairs with another country on behalf of his or her own country, usually working as a member of an embassy.
dip|lo|mat|ic ◆◇◇ /d I pləmæ t I k/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Diplomatic means relating to diplomacy and diplomats. □ …before the two countries resume full diplomatic relations. □ Efforts are being made to avert war and find a diplomatic solution. ● dip|lo|mati|cal|ly /d I pləmæ t I kli/ ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ …a growing sense of doubt that the conflict can be resolved diplomatically.
2 ADJ Someone who is diplomatic is able to be careful to say or do things without offending people. □ She is very direct. I tend to be more diplomatic, I suppose. ● dip|lo|mati|cal|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ 'Their sound is very interesting,' he says, diplomatically.
di p|lo|mat|ic ba g (diplomatic bags ) N‑COUNT A diplomatic bag is a bag or container in which mail is sent to and from foreign embassies. Diplomatic bags are protected by law, so that they are not opened by anyone except the official or embassy they are addressed to. [BRIT ] in AM, use diplomatic pouch
di p|lo|mat|ic corps (diplomatic corps ) N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] The diplomatic corps is the group of all the diplomats who work in one city or country.
di p|lo|mat|ic im|mu n|ity N‑UNCOUNT Diplomatic immunity is the freedom from legal action and from paying taxes that a diplomat has in the country in which he or she is working. □ The embassy official claimed diplomatic immunity and was later released.
di p|lo|mat|ic po uch (diplomatic pouches ) N‑COUNT A diplomatic pouch is the same as a diplomatic bag . [mainly AM ]
di p|lo|mat|ic ser|vice also Diplomatic Service N‑PROPER The diplomatic service is the government department that employs diplomats to work in foreign countries. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use foreign service
dip|py /d I pi/ (dippier , dippiest ) ADJ If you describe someone as dippy , you mean that they are slightly odd or unusual, but in a way that you find charming and attractive. [INFORMAL ]
dip|stick /d I pst I k/ (dipsticks ) N‑COUNT A dipstick is a metal rod with marks along one end. It is used to measure the amount of liquid in a container, especially the amount of oil in a car engine.
dire /da I ə r /
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Dire is used to emphasize how serious or terrible a situation or event is. [EMPHASIS ] □ A government split would have dire consequences for domestic peace. □ He was in dire need of hospital treatment.
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you describe something as dire , you are emphasizing that it is of very low quality. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ]
di|rect ◆◆◆ /da I re kt, d I -/ (directs , directing , directed )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Direct means moving towards a place or object, without changing direction and without stopping, for example in a journey. □ They'd come on a direct flight from Athens. ● ADV [ADV after v] Direct is also an adverb. □ You can fly direct to Amsterdam from most British airports. ● di|rect|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ The jumbo jet is due to fly the hostages directly back to London.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] If something is in direct heat or light, it is strongly affected by the heat or light, because there is nothing between it and the source of heat or light to protect it. □ Medicines should be stored away from direct sunlight.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use direct to describe an experience, activity, or system which only involves the people, actions, or things that are necessary to make it happen. □ He has direct experience of the process of privatisation. □ He seemed to be in direct contact with the Boss. ● ADV [ADV after v] Direct is also an adverb. □ I can deal direct with your Inspector Kimble. ● di|rect|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ We cannot measure pain directly. It can only be estimated.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use direct to emphasize the closeness of a connection between two things. [EMPHASIS ] □ They were unable to prove that she died as a direct result of his injection.
5 ADJ If you describe a person or their behaviour as direct , you mean that they are honest and open, and say exactly what they mean. □ He avoided giving a direct answer. ● di|rect|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ At your first meeting, explain simply and directly what you hope to achieve. ● di|rect|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ Using 'I' adds directness to a piece of writing.