das
das — noun
- dassingular
- dasesplural
1. an informal, non-standard written form of the abbreviation DA (district attorney
an informal, non-standard written form of the abbreviation DA (district attorney), used in quick notes or casual messages to refer to the elected lawyer who brings criminal charges on behalf of the local government in a US court.
The DA called the witness to the stand to discuss the night of the robbery.
the DA + called + to the stand (courtroom collocation)
Ignacio worked as a district attorney in Phoenix for eight years before retiring.
full form: district attorney
The defense lawyer asked the DA to drop the charges after new evidence emerged.
Heather decided to become a DA because she wanted to fight for victims of crime.
The DA's office reviewed the case files over the weekend and filed charges on Monday.
- prosecutor
broader term; can refer to any lawyer who prosecutes cases, including federal and state levels
- state's attorney
used in some US states instead of DA; same role but different title
- defense attorney
the lawyer who represents the accused person, opposite side in court
文法句型
the DA
[person's name] + is + a/the DA
用法筆記
In this entry, 'das' represents an informal or non-standard written form of the uppercase abbreviation DA (district attorney). The standard written English form is always capitalized as DA or D.A.
das — abbreviation
1. a short way of writing the metric prefix deka- (symbol: da), meaning ten times t
a short way of writing the metric prefix deka- (symbol: da), meaning ten times the base unit of measurement — this is the only sense where the abbreviation is written in lowercase (da or das); all other abbreviation senses use uppercase DAS.
The lab assistant wrote "das" on the bottle that held a dekaliter of solution.
abbreviation for a metric unit prefix
Selim checked the measuring cup and noticed "das" next to the ten-liter mark.
The tank holds 5 daL of water, which is the same as 50 liters.
A note in the textbook explained that "das" stands for ten of the base unit.
用法筆記
The standard SI symbol for deka- is 'da' (lowercase), written directly before the unit symbol (e.g., daL for dekaliter, dam for dekameter). The longer form 'das' appears less formally in handwritten notes or older textbooks.
2. a short form used in trade documents to show how many days after the buyer accep
a short form used in trade documents to show how many days after the buyer accepts the goods that payment becomes due — written in uppercase as DAS.
The invoice stated "net 30 DAS," meaning the buyer had thirty days after acceptance to pay.
pattern: [number] DAS — number of days after acceptance
Samir agreed to the 60 DAS payment schedule in the trade deal.
Isabela found the DAS clause on the second page of the shipping contract.
The buyer accepted the shipment and payment was due at 45 DAS.
Their trade agreement specified 90 DAS for the imported machinery.
用法筆記
Always written in uppercase as DAS (or D/A/S). Typically appears in formal trade contracts and invoices, paired with a number (e.g., 30 DAS, 60 DAS).
3. a short way of writing "delayed action" (written in uppercase as DAS), describin
a short way of writing "delayed action" (written in uppercase as DAS), describing a device or process that operates after a programmed waiting period.
The engineer labeled the switch "DAS" so the team knew it had a built-in timer.
abbreviation used as a label on equipment
Andrei set the camera to DAS mode before taking the group photo.
The sprinkler system has a DAS function that waters the garden twenty minutes later.
Dario checked the instructions and saw DAS marked on the fuse box.
用法筆記
Always written in uppercase as DAS. Most often seen on equipment labels, schematics, and technical manuals for devices with a timing mechanism.
4. a short way of writing "deposit account" (written in uppercase as DAS), a bank a
a short way of writing "deposit account" (written in uppercase as DAS), a bank account that earns interest over time.
The bank statement showed the balance in the DAS account.
collocation: DAS account
Eshe opened a DAS at the local branch to save for her university tuition.
Tamar moved money from her current account into the DAS for better interest.
The teller explained that the DAS pays interest twice a year.
- savings account
more commonly used term for the same type of account
- current account
a bank account for everyday spending
用法筆記
Always written in uppercase as DAS. Common in British banking. Contrasts with a current account (checking account) which does not earn interest.
5. a short way of writing "Dictionary of Americanisms," a reference book that expla
a short way of writing "Dictionary of Americanisms," a reference book that explains words and phrases used only in the United States
James borrowed the DAS from the library for his research on slang.
used with definite article: the DAS
The professor cited the DAS in her book about American expressions.
Liam found the word "biscuit" in the DAS listed as a British term.
Mayumi used the DAS to check whether the saying was truly American.
用法筆記
Usually written in uppercase (DAS) as the title of a published reference work.
6. the uppercase written abbreviation DAS, used on official legal forms, correspond
the uppercase written abbreviation DAS, used on official legal forms, correspondence, and case dockets to refer to the district attorney's office, distinct from the spoken or informal form DA.
The case file was stamped with DAS on every page.
written abbreviation on official documents
Wei works as a legal assistant in the DAS office in downtown Seattle.
collocation: DAS office
Local news reported that the DAS decided not to pursue the case.
A spokesperson for the DAS confirmed the trial date to the press.
- DA
a more common abbreviation for district attorney
- defense attorney
the lawyer who represents the person accused of a crime
用法筆記
Always written in uppercase as DAS. This is a written abbreviation; in speech or informal writing, the shorter form DA is much more common.
7. an abbreviation used in international trade (usually written as D/A), meaning th
an abbreviation used in international trade (usually written as D/A), meaning the shipping documents are released to the buyer once the buyer accepts a draft or promise to pay at a future date.
The bank processed the shipment under D/A terms.
collocation: D/A terms
Mauricio's company only accepts D/A payment conditions for large international orders.
collocation: D/A payment conditions
The buyer signed the D/A agreement before the bank released the documents.
D/A is a standard abbreviation in letters of credit between exporters and importers.
Under D/A rules, the buyer accepts the draft first, and the shipping documents are then handed over.
文法句型
DAS + noun (terms, agreement)
用法筆記
Almost always written in capital letters as D/A. Stands in contrast to D/P (documents against payment), where payment must be made before documents are released.
8. an abbreviation used in text messages and online chats, telling the other person
an abbreviation used in text messages and online chats, telling the other person that you will not reply to their message or call.
Yan saw his ex-girlfriend calling and typed DAS instead of picking up.
used to avoid answering a call
Whenever the manager calls after midnight, Quan just replies DAS.
Tamar put DAS on her chat status during the final exam period.
Brian sent DAS to his roommate because he was in a loud meeting.
The group chat saw DAS from Layla and knew she was busy.
文法句型
DAS as standalone message
用法筆記
Very informal; only used in personal texting and online messaging. Not appropriate for formal email or business communication.
9. an abbreviation for digital to analog, describing the process of converting digi
an abbreviation for digital to analog, describing the process of converting digital electronic signals into continuous analog signals, often used in audio equipment.
The DAS converter improved the sound quality of Théo's old amplifier.
collocation: DAS converter
Older speakers need a DAS adapter to work with modern digital music players.
collocation: DAS adapter
Anjali installed a DAS chip in the recording studio's sound system.
DAS technology turns digital audio files into signals that traditional speakers can play.
The technician checked the DAS circuit before testing the microphone.
文法句型
DAS + noun (converter, adapter, signal)
用法筆記
Commonly used in technical manuals and product descriptions for audio and video equipment. The more familiar term is DAC (digital-to-analog converter).
常見錯誤
10. an abbreviation used in family records, old documents, or genealogical research
an abbreviation used in family records, old documents, or genealogical research to mean daughter — showing the relationship between a person and their parent.
On the old census form, Eve was listed as DAS of the household head.
used in census records
In the family tree, John Peterson DAS refers to his daughter Clara.
The tombstone reads 'Beloved DAS of Thomas and Mary Chen.'
Genealogists often find DAS written next to female names in nineteenth-century records.
DAS is short for daughter and appears in parish registers and wills.
文法句型
DAS as label in records
用法筆記
Old-fashioned; mainly found in historical documents, gravestones, and genealogical records from the 18th–19th centuries.
11. an abbreviation for day or days (written in uppercase as DAS), used in notes, sc
an abbreviation for day or days (written in uppercase as DAS), used in notes, schedules, and labels to show how many days something lasts or when something happens.
The online store says the package will arrive within 3 DAS.
pattern: number + DAS
Lucía wrote DAS on the shipping label next to the delivery date.
The nurse's note said the patient should take the medicine twice per DAS.
Jenna circled DAS on the calendar next to her flight information.
The hotel reservation said 5 DAS starting from March 15th.
文法句型
number + DAS
用法筆記
Written in uppercase as DAS. Uncommon in modern everyday writing, where 'day' or 'days' is usually written out in full. May still appear on handwritten notes, labels, or forms with limited space.