解:(1)因为$AB = 14\,\text{cm},$$D$是$AB$中点,
所以$AD=\frac{1}{2}AB = 7\,\text{cm},$又$AC = 8\,\text{cm},$
所以$CD=AC - AD=8 - 7=1\,\text{cm};$
(2)因为$BC=AB - AC=14 - 8=6\,\text{cm},$$E$是$BC$中点,
所以$CE=\frac{1}{2}BC = 3\,\text{cm},$
则$DE=CD + CE=1 + 3=4\,\text{cm}$