a. Dearer. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Orig., a gallows, from a hangman named Derrick. The name is of Dutch origin; D. Diederik, Dierryk, prop. meaning, chief of the people; cf. AS. peódric, E. Theodoric, G. Dietrich. See Dutch, and Rich. ]
Derrick crane,
a. Daring or warlike. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
Drad for his derring doe and bloody deed. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. brave and heroic deeds. [ WordNet 1.5 ]
n. [ From the American inventor. ] A kind of short-barreled pocket pistol, of very large caliber, often carrying a half-ounce ball. [ 1913 Webster ]