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• del
  del

  (in names of Spanish derivation) a contraction of de and the article el:
• del.
  del.

  abbreviation

  delegate; delegation.
• Del.
  Del.

  abbreviation

  Delaware.

del

¹ American  

[del] / dɛl /

1. (in names of Spanish derivation) a contraction of de and the article el:

   Estanislao del Campo.

2. (in names of Italian derivation) a contraction of di and the article il: Giovanni del Monte.

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del ² American  

[del] / dɛl /

noun

Mathematics.

1. a differential operator. ∇

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del. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. delegate; delegation.

2. delete; deletion.

3. delineavit.

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Del. ⁴ American  

abbreviation

1. Delaware.

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Del. ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. Delaware

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del. ² British  

abbreviation

1. delegate

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del ³ British  

/ dɛl /

noun

1. ∇. Also called: nabla. maths the differential operator i (∂/∂ x ) + j (∂/∂ y ) + k (∂/∂ z ), where i , j , and k are unit vectors in the x , y , and z directions

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Etymology

Origin of del

First recorded in 1900–05; short form of delta

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

del del. Del.

The Spanish football federation postponed 24 matches in the first round of the Copa del Rey "as a mark of respect and solidarity".

From Barron's ● Oct. 28, 2026

John David Annett and JJ Haley, Corona del Mar. Annett sometimes throws the ball up knowing Haley will find a way to catch it.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 25, 2026

As Barca head coach, Enrique won La Liga twice, the Copa del Rey three times and the 2014-15 Champions League title.

From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026

María del Carmen Abascal, 87, died in a hospital two weeks after she was forcibly evicted from a flat where she had lived for decades.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

Without her knowledge, Don Quixote pronounced her his "lady" and called her Dulcinea del Tobosa.

From "Adventures of Don Quixote" by Argentina Palacios

"F. Bonneville del. et sculpsit" is its whole history.

From The Life Of Thomas Paine, Vol. II. (of II) With A History of His Literary, Political and Religious Career in America France, and England by Moncure Daniel Conway

Am. del. on economics and reparation clauses; economic adviser for the Am.

From The Mirrors of Washington by John Kirby

Del. Delaware; Delegate. del., delt., delineavit='He drew it,' put after the draftsman's name on an engraving. demon.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

Williams del. and sculpt.Published by W. Marsden, 1810.

From The History of Sumatra Containing An Account Of The Government, Laws, Customs And Manners Of The Native Inhabitants by William Marsden

Joutel del., from a photograph by the author.

From Lamarck, the Founder of Evolution His Life and Work by A. S. (Alpheus Spring) Packard

The Wilmington, Del., company said VGA039 is currently in Phase 3 pivotal development for patients with von Willebrand disease, the most common inherited bleeding disorder.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 8, 2026

The monument had been removed from its spot in Wilmington, Del., in 2020, and put into storage.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 4, 2026

Shortly after, the White House announced Biden had tested positive for COVID-19, and was headed to his Rehoboth Beach, Del., home to rest.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2024

Navient, based in Wilmington, Del., has not publicized the discharge program that helped Ms. Maynard.

From New York Times ● May 30, 2024

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Piper talking to Del. If he goes for this, everyone else will too.

From "Al Capone Does My Shirts" by Gennifer Choldenko

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