DISCOMMODE. This word is rarely used; _incommode_ is accounted the better form.
DISREMEMBER. This is a word vulgarly used in the sense of _forget_. It is said to be more frequently heard in the South than in the North.
DISTINGUISH. This verb is sometimes improperly used for _discriminate_. We _distinguish_ by means of the senses as well as of the understanding; we _discriminate_ by means of the understanding only. "It is difficult, in some cases, to _distinguish between_," etc.: should be, "It is difficult, in some cases, to _discriminate between_," etc. We _distinguish_ one thing _from another_, and _discriminate between_ two or more things.
DOCK--WHARF. The first of these words is often improperly used for the second. Of docks there are several kinds: a _naval dock_ is a place for the keeping of naval stores, timber, and materials for ship-building; a _dry dock_ is a place where vessels are drawn out of the water for repairs; a _wet dock_ is a place where vessels are kept afloat at a certain level while they are loaded and unloaded; a _sectional dock_ is a contrivance for raising vessels out of the water on a series of air-tight boxes. A _dock_, then, is a place into which things are received; hence, a man might fall _into_ a dock, but could no more fall _off_ a dock than he could fall off a hole. A _wharf_ is a sort of quay built by the side of the water. A similar structure built at a right angle with the shore is generally called a _pier_. Vessels lie at _wharves_ and _piers_, not at _docks_.
DONATE. This word, which is defined as meaning to give, to contribute, is looked upon by most champions of good English as being an abomination. _Donation_ is also little used by careful writers. "_Donate_," says Mr. Gould, "may be dismissed with this remark: so long as its place is occupied by _give_, _bestow_, _grant_, _present_, etc., it is not needed; and it should be unceremoniously bowed out, or thrust out, of the seat into which it has, temporarily, intruded."
DONE. This past participle is often very inelegantly, if not improperly, used thus: "He did not cry out as some have _done_ against it," which should read, "He did not cry out as some have against it"; i. e., "as some _have cried out_ against it."