Dagger	a/ A short strong knife with both a cut and thrust blade. b/ A defensive weapon used in the left hand with the rapier in the right. Also know as the main-gauche.
Day For Night	(Film) Special photography that allows a sunny day to pass for moonlit night.
Deceive	Avoiding blade to blade contact with the opponents weapon as they attempt to parry, engage or attack your blade.
Deception	Avoiding the opponents blade as it attempts to make contact with your own. Used in attacking or counterattacking.
Dedans	The inside line
Deep Focus	(Film) Photography that holds subjects both near and far in sharp focus.
Defence	The action of guarding oneself from the attacks of an opponent. Fencing being the art of defence. (Self defence)
Dehors	The outside line
Delayed	Any action not executed at the first opportunity. Made after a pause.
Demarches	Term referring to the gaining or surrendering of ground.
Demi	Partial or half.
Demi-circle	Half circle
Demi-lunge	A half or short lunge.
Demi-plie	A partial or half bending of the knees
Demi-volte	A method of removing the body from the line of attack by swinging the lag foot behind and generally to the right  in a circular half pace, turning the body parallel to the line of attack.
Depth Of Field	(Film) The depth of the picture which is in acceptably sharp focus. This varies widely according to the lens and f stop in use.
Derobement	An evasion of the opponent's attempt to beat or take one's blade whilst ones arm is straight, point already in line, threatening the target. An opponent who attacks by first attempting to take the blade, may run onto the point.
Descendente	A cutting attack from a high to a low line.
Dessous	The low line
Dessus	The high line.
Desvio	Late Spanish term for deflecting the opponents blade with a parry, as opposed to blocking it.
Detachment parry	A method of parrying crisply, leaving the blade immediately it has deflected it. also known as a beat parry.
Deux temps	In two actions. Breaking down movements into two distinct actions.
Development	The extension of the sword arm accompanied by the lunge.
Diaganal	a/ Attacks made with an action which roughly moves in at 45 degrees. b/ Avoidances made by displacing the upper torso from the plane of a diagonal attack.
Diamond section	Type of blade which in cross section is diamond shaped. Schlager's and some theatrical blades are this shape.
Dig	An angular thrusting attack in epee fencing, generally delivered at the wrist and forearm.
Direct attack	By the shortest path. An attack or riposte delivered in a single blade movement without disengaging or deceiving. In the line of engagement.
Direction	a/ Instructions given by the director as to the action, mood etc. of a scene. b/ Relative lines of movement.
Dirk	A Scottish Dagger. A late form of Ballock Knife.
Disarm	An action of the blade or body that forces the weapon from the hand of ones opponent in combat.
Disarmament	Action of disarming.
Disengagement	Any break in contact between the blades, but more commonly an indirect attack landing in the opposite line by passing under (some say "or over" - see cut over) the opponents blade.
Dish hilt	A small shallow saucer shaped hilt common upon small swords and used in the modern fencing foil.
Displacement	Evasion from an attack by removing the body from the line of attack.
Distance	Refers to the relative positions of two opposing fencers. See fencing measure.
Ditch	To get rid of a weapon deliberately. To "ditch" it.
Dodge	To evade an attack by removing ones body from the line of attack.
DOF	(Film) Depth of field.
Doighte	The technique of directing the swords point in all sorts of movements, circular or lateral, without stiffening the arms muscles. The point being directed by the manipulators, thumb and forefinger. (Finger Play)
Dolly shot	(Film) Any shot on a wheeled camera support.
Dominant	a/ Indicating the lead foot or hand. b/ The lead side of the body that is more dexterous and better developed.
DOP	(Film) Director of photography. Also known as DP, or lighting cameraman.
Double	A deception of the opponents counter parry by a circular movement of the point, usually after feinting into an open line. Basically it is a disengagement followed by a counter disengagement.
Double fence	The practice of using an offensive and defensive weapon in both hands.
Double parry	Double fence defensive actions which utilise both weapons.
Double prises-de-fer	Where there is loss of contact between the first and second prises-de-fer. A succession of prises-de-fer.
Double touch	When two fencers are hit at the same time. A simultaneous hit.
Downstage	The band of the stage nearest the audience.
Downstage centre	The lower third of the centre stage area.
Downstage left	The block of the stage in the bottom left hand corner.
Downstage right	The block of the stage in the bottom right hand corner.
Draw	To remove ones weapon from the scabbard.
Draw cut	Cut made by slicing the blade rather than "chopping".
Drills	Specific choreographed routines designed to educate through repetition.
Dritta	Right. Generally meaning right sword hand, arm or side.
Dritto filo	Right edge. True edge.
Duck	Avoidance of a horizontal attack by lowering ones head and torso.
Duel	a/ A formal fight between two persons. Private, pre-arranged and fought with deadly weapons, with the intent to wound or kill. The purpose to settle a point of  honour, a difference, or personal quarrel. Governed often by strict rules of etiquette and honour. b/ A trial by battle; judicial single combat.
Duellist	One who is expert in the rules and practice of duelling.
Duello	Established code and convention of duellists.
Dui tempo	To parry and riposte in two distinct actions of fencing time.
Dutch Angle	(Film) Shot made with the camera deliberately tilted off the horizontal.
Dynamic	The energy and rhythm of a fight, performance or play.