DERESER, THADDAEUS ANTON, a learned Roman Catholic priest, was born at Fahr in 1755. Having completed his studies at Wiirzburg and Heidelberg, he taught philosophy and theology in the latter place. In 17S3 he became professor of the oriental languages and the interpretation of Holy Scripture in the University of Bonn. While here he published various works which shewed a free tendency. In 1791 he became professor in Strasburg, superior of the Episcopal Seminary, and preacher in the Domkirche. In 1796 he lived in retirement at Mannheim, but returned to Heidel berg, 1797, as professor ; and went to the Catholic University of Freiburg, 1806, as professor of Dog matik. In 1810 he was pastor at Carlsruhe, where he remained till he was ordered, as a sort of exile, away to Constance to teach the ancient languages there. This, however, he refused to do, and went to Switzerland, where he became professor in the Lyceum at Lucerne. In 1814 he received his dis missal, went to Heidelberg, and was called by the Prussian government as professor to Breslau, as professor of Dogmatik and Bible exegesis, 1815. His death took place there in 1827. Dereser was a very liberal-minded theologian in the Catholic Church. On that account he had a restless life.
Bigotry and intolerance drew him into controver sies. Persecution followed his steps. He trans lated part of the 0. T. in the work begun by Brentano who only did the N. T., 1790, etc., three vols. Svo. [BRENTANO.] Dereser and Scholz con tinued it, four parts, Frankfurt, 1797-1833, or 13 vols. Svo. He is also the autlibr of a large devo tional work (Erbauungsbuch), for all days of the church year, Heidelberg, 181o, 4 vols. 8vo.)—S. D.
DEROR ("Ii,1), the name of a bird remarkable for its swift flight (Prov. xxvi. 2), and which built its nest in temples (Ps. lxxxiv. 4). The older versions make it the turtle dove in the latter pas sage (LXX. ; Vulg. turtur ; Targ. and Syr. N)+)]ly) ; whilst in the former some render it sparrow (LXX. cruovOol; Vulg. passer), and others, simply flying fowl (Targ. Nr1111t "I'll), or winged animal (Syr- 1-2-3-= ZO-A--)-+). The A. V. makes it 'swallow' in both passages. This seems the correcter reading ; the bird is probably the Dmitri of Alexandria, mentioned by Forskaal, the swift or black martin, as known to us. The rapid gyrating flight of this bird corresponds to the etymological meaning of the word, from to fly in circles (Gesen). —W. L. A.