I was trying in a 'round about way to say:

You can "defer" an item based on the MEL.

MEL=Minimum Equipment List,
where a DMI= Deferred Mx Item.

So when you have something inop on the airplane, or not "quite right", you will have a DMI on your release, based on the MEL. They are not one and the same.
Symantics, I know, but...
(This is at least according to the "Introduction" of our MEL/CDL Manual.)
Before someone asks, CDL=Configuration Deviation List.