DIBBLE (Davie), gardener at Monkbarns.—­Sir W. Scott, Antiquary (time, George III.).

Dibu’tades (4 syl.), a potter of Sicyon, whose daughter traced on the wall her lover’s shadow, cast there by the light of a lamp.  This, it is said, is the origin of portrait painting.  The father applied the same process to his pottery, and this, it is said, is the origin of sculpture in relief.

Will the arts ever have a lovelier origin than that fair daughter of Dibutades tracing the beloved shadow on the wall!—­Ouida, Ariadne, i. 6.

DICAE’A, daughter of Jove, the “accusing angel” of classic mythology.

  Forth stepped the just Dicaea, full of rage.

  Phineas Fletcher, The Purple Island, vi. (1633).

DICCON THE BEDLAMITE, a half-mad mendicant, both knave and thief.  A specimen of the metre will be seen by part of Diccon’s speech: 

  Many amyle have I walked, divers and sundry waies,
  And many a good man’s house have I bin at in my dais;
  Many a gossip’s cup in my tyme have I tasted,
  And many a broche and spyt have I both turned and basted ... 
  When I saw it booted nit, out at doores I hyed mee,
  And caught a slyp of bacon when I saw none spyd mee
  Which I intend not far hence, unless my purpose fayle,
  Shall serve for a shooing home to draw on two pots of ale.

  Gammer Gurton’s Needle (1575).

DICIL’LA, one of Logistilla’s handmaids, noted for her chastity.—­Ariosto, Orlanda Furioso (1516).

DICK, ostler at the Seven Stars inn, York.—­Sir W. Scott, Heart of Midlothian (time, Greorge II.).

Dick, called “The Devil’s Dick of Hellgarth;” a falconer and follower of the earl of Douglas.—­Sir W. Scott, Fair Maid of Perth (time, Henry IV.).

Dick (Mr.), an amiable, half-witted man, devoted to David’s “aunt,” Miss Betsey Trotwood, who thinks him a prodigious genius.  Mr. Dick is especially mad on the subject of Charles I.—­C.  Dickens, David Copperfield (1849).

DICK AMLET, the son of Mrs. Amlet, a rich, vulgar tradeswoman.  Dick assumes the airs of a fine gentleman, and calls himself Colonel Shapely, in which character he gets introduced to Corinna, the daughter of Gripe, a rich scrivener.  Just as he is about to elope, his mother makes her appearance, and the deceit is laid bare; but Mrs. Amlet promises to give her son L10,000, and so the wedding is adjusted.  Dick is a regular scamp, and wholly without principle; but being a dashing young blade, with a handsome person, he is admired by the ladies.—­Sir John Vanbrugh, The Confederacy (1695).

DICK SHAKEBAG, a highwayman in the gang of Captain Colepepper (the Alsatian bully).—­Sir W. Scott, Fortunes of Nigel (time, James I).

DICKSON (Thomas) farmer at Douglasdale.

Charles Dickson, son of the above, killed in the church.—­Sir W. Scott, Castle Dangerous (time, Henry I.).