DAKOTA--Indians. (See SIOUX.)
DAM. Make sign for RIVER, and for HOLD.
DANCE (meaning: hopping action). Place both 5 hands in front of breast, pointing up, palms 6 inches apart; move up and down 3 inches, for 2 or 3 times.
DANGEROUS. With respect to a person, make the signs HEART and BAD. If of a place, specify in what way it is dangerous.
DARK. Make sign for NIGHT and SAME; or hold extended hands in front of and close to eyes.
DAUGHTER. Make the sign for FEMALE, then with right compressed hand held upright indicate the height of girl.
DAY. Hold level flat hands, backs up, in front of face, and 4 inches apart; sweep hands up and out in a curve, ending opposite shoulders with palms up. For TODAY, first make sign NOW.
DAYBREAK. Place both extended hands, backs out, in same horizontal plane, right hand above with little finger touching left index; then raise the right hand a few inches.
DEAD. Make signs for DIE and SLEEP.
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DEAF. Press palm of flat right hand against right ear; then make small circular motion with hand close to car, and sign NO.
DECEIVE (meaning: he gives the lie). Make sign for GIVE and for LIE.
DEEP. To show depth of river or water, make sign for RIVER or WATER; then point downwards. If depth is slight, place hand on person to show how far the water rises on person or horse.
DEER. Indicate deer horns with both spread 5 hands held above sides of head.
DEFAME. Make the sign for ABUSE.
DEFY. Place thumb between index and second finger of right band; push it sharply towards the person.
DEPART. Make sign for GO.
DESTROY. Make sign for EXTERMINATE.
DIE (meaning: going under). Hold the left flat hand, back out, well in front of body, fingers horizontal; bring right 1 hand on same plane and pointing to left hand, move right hand downwards and outwards.
DIG. Execute with both hands a pawing motion, moving hands from right front downwards, to left and rear on curve; repeating motion.
DINNER. See EAT.
DIRT. Point to ground with right index finger, then reach down and rub thumb and tips of fingers together.
DISGUST. Make the signs for HEART and TIRED. The head is sometimes turned to one side, and the idea conveyed by facial expression.
DISMOUNT. Make sign for HORSE; then raise right 2 hand and lower it, pointing fingers at ground.
DISTANT. Right hand, back to right, in front of right breast, a little lower than shoulder, hand partly closed and close to body; push the hand to front, raising it slightly. Very distant would be shown by extending arm to full length.
DISTRIBUTE (meaning: handing out). Bring right flat hand, back of same to right, well in front and a little to right of body; move hand slightly upwards to front, and then a little downwards; then take first position and make similar motion to left, as though giving to several persons.
DIVE. Hold left flat hand, back outwards, well in front of body, fingers pointing to right; hold right flat hand, back out, behind and little above left hand, fingers pointing downward; then move right hand down and out under left hand.
DIVORCE. Make the signs for HIS, WOMAN, and ABANDONED.
DO. Make the sign for WORK,
DO NOT. Make signs for WORK and NO.
DOCTOR. Make the signs for WHITE MAN, CHIEF and MEDICINE.
DOG (meaning: wolf drawing teepee poles). Draw right 2 hand across in front of body, from left to right.
DOLLAR. Make the sign for MONEY, and raise right index finger to indicate one.
DONE. Make the sign for END.
DOOR. Make the sign for TEEPEE or for HOUSE; hold left flat hand well in front of breast, back outwards and pointing to right; then place flat right hand on palm, and turn same over to right, as though little finger was a hinge.
DOUBT. Make the sign for PERHAPS.
DOWN. Point downwards with right index finger.
DREAM. Make signs for SLEEP, and SEE, and GOOD.
DRESS. Pass the spread thumb and index finger over that part of body represented as covered.
DRINK (meaning: drinking from the curved right hand). With fingers tight together partly compress the right hand as though to form a cup; carry to mouth from above downwards, as though drinking water.
DROUTH. (DROUGHT) Make signs for LONGTIME, RAIN, and NO.
DROWN. Make the sign for WATER; then sign whether LAKE or RIVER, and make sign for DIE.
DRUM. Place hands in first motion for KETTLE; then with left hand still in position, use partly closed right hand as drum-stick, and strike down several times.
DRUNKARD. Make sign for WHISKEY and sign for DRINK, repeating four or five times, and signs for MUCH and CRAZY.
DRY. To indicate that stream or spring is dry, make sign for STREAM (LITTLE RIVER), for WATER, and for ALL GONE.
DUCK. Make signs for BIRD and WATER, and gesture with right flat hand for flat hill.
DULL. Hold left flat hand in front of body, back down; then with lower edge of flat right hand saw back and forth 3 or 4 times; then make sign for BAD.
DUMB. Palm of right hand over mouth; then make the signs TALK and NO.