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I.

I (ī). 1. I, the ninth letter of the English alphabet, takes its form from the Phœnician, through the Latin and the Greek. The Phœnician letter was probably of Egyptian origin. Its original value was nearly the same as that of the Italian I, or long e as in mete. Etymologically I is most closely related to e, y, j, g; as in dint, dent, beverage, L. bibere; E. kin, AS. cynn; E. thin, AS. þynne; E. dominion, donjon, dungeon. In English I has two principal vowel sounds: the long sound, as in pīne, īce; and the short sound, as in p&ibreve;n. It has also three other sounds: (a) That of e in term, as in thirst. (b) That of e in mete (in words of foreign origin), as in machine, pique, regime. (c) That of consonant y (in many words in which it precedes another vowel), as in bunion, million, filial, Christian, etc. It enters into several digraphs, as in fail, field, seize, feign. friend; and with o often forms a proper diphtong, as in oil, join, coin.

See Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 98-106.

The dot which we place over the small or lower case i dates only from the 14th century. The sounds of I and J were originally represented by the same character, and even after the introduction of the form J into English dictionaries, words containing these letters were, till a comparatively recent time, classed together.

2. In our old authors, I was often used for ay (or aye), yes, which is pronounced nearly like it.

3. As a numeral, I stands for 1, II for 2, etc.

I- (?), prefix. See Y- .

I (ī), pron. [poss. My (mī) or Mine (mīn); object. Me (mē). pl. nom. We (wē); poss. Our (our) or Ours (ourz); object. Us (ŭs).] [OE. i, ich, ic, AS. ic; akin to OS. & D. ik, OHG. ih, G. ich, Icel. ek, Dan. jeg, Sw. jag, Goth. ik, OSlav. az', Russ. ia, W. i, L. ego, Gr. 'egw`, 'egw`n, Skr. aham. √179. Cf. Egoism.] The nominative case of the pronoun of the first person; the word with which a speaker or writer denotes himself.

I*am`a*tol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, medicine + -logy.] (Med.) Materia Medica; that branch of therapeutics which treats of remedies.

I"amb (?), n. [Cf. F. iambe. See Lambus.] An iambus or iambic. [R.]

I*am"bic (?), a. [L. iambicus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. iambique.] 1. (Pros.) Consisting of a short syllable followed by a long one, or of an unaccented syllable followed by an accented; as, an iambic foot.

2. Pertaining to, or composed of, iambics; as, an iambic verse; iambic meter. See Lambus.

I*am"bic, n. 1. (Pros.) (a) An iambic foot; an iambus. (b) A verse composed of iambic feet.

&fist; The following couplet consists of iambic verses.

Thy gen- | ius calls | thee not | to pur- | chase fame
In keen | iam- | bics, but | mild an- | agram.
Dryden.

2. A satirical poem (such poems having been anciently written in iambic verse); a satire; a lampoon.

I*am"bic*al (?), a. Iambic. [Obs. or R.]

I*am"bic*al*ly, adv. In a iambic manner; after the manner of iambics.

I*am"bize (?), v. t. [Gr. &?;.] To satirize in iambics; to lampoon. [R.]

I*am"bus (?), n.; pl. L. Iambi (#), E. Iambuses (#). [L. iambus, Gr. &?;; prob. akin to &?; to throw, assail (the iambus being first used in satiric poetry), and to L. jacere to throw. Cf. Jet a shooting forth.] (Pros.) A foot consisting of a short syllable followed by a long one, as in ămāns, or of an unaccented syllable followed by an accented one, as invent; an iambic. See the Couplet under Iambic, n.

||I*an"thi*na (?), n.; pl. L. Ianthinæ (#), E. Ianthinas (#). [NL., fr. L. ianthinus violet-blue, Gr. &?;; &?; violet + &?; flower.] (Zoöl.) Any gastropod of the genus Ianthina, of which various species are found living in mid ocean; -- called also purple shell, and violet snail. [Written also janthina.]

&fist; It floats at the surface by means of a raft, which it constructs by forming and uniting together air bubbles of hardened mucus. The Tyrian purple of the ancients was obtained in part from mollusks of this genus.

I*a`tra*lip"tic (?), a. [Gr. &?;; &?; physician + &?; belonging to the &?; or anointer, fr. &?; to anoint: cf. F. iatraliptique.] Treating diseases by anointing and friction; as, the iatraliptic method. [Written also iatroleptic.]

{ I*at"ric (?), I*at"ric*al (?), } a. [Gr. &?; healing, fr. &?; physician, fr. &?; to heal.] Of or pertaining to medicine, or to medical men.

I*a`tro*chem"ic*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to iatrochemistry, or to the iatrochemists.

I*a`tro*chem"ist (?), n. [Gr. &?; physician + E. chemist.] A physician who explained or treated diseases upon chemical principles; one who practiced iatrochemistry.

I*a`tro*chem"is*try (?), n. Chemistry applied to, or used in, medicine; -- used especially with reference to the doctrines in the school of physicians in Flanders, in the 17th century, who held that health depends upon the proper chemical relations of the fluids of the body, and who endeavored to explain the conditions of health or disease by chemical principles.

I*a`tro*math`e*mat"ic*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to iatromathematicians or their doctrine.

I*a`tro*math`e*ma*ti"cian (?), n. [Gr. &?; physician + E. mathematician.] (Hist. Med.) One of a school of physicians in Italy, about the middle of the 17th century, who tried to apply the laws of mechanics and mathematics to the human body, and hence were eager student of anatomy; -- opposed to the iatrochemists.

I*be"ri*an (?), a. Of or pertaining to Iberia.

I"bex (ī"b&ebreve;ks), n.; pl. E. Ibexes (-&ebreve;z), L. Ibices (īb"&ibreve;*sēz). [L., a kind of goat, the chamois.] (Zoöl.) One of several species of wild goats having very large, recurved horns, transversely ridged in front; -- called also steinbok.

&fist; The Alpine ibex (Capra ibex) is the best known. The Spanish, or Pyrenean, ibex (C. Hispanica) has smoother and more spreading horns.

||I*bi"dem (?), adv. [L.] In the same place; -- abbreviated ibid. or ib.

I"bis (?), n. [L. ibis, Gr. &?;; of Egyptian origin.] (Zoöl.) Any bird of the genus Ibis and several allied genera, of the family Ibidæ, inhabiting both the Old World and the New. Numerous species are known. They are large, wading birds, having a long, curved beak, and feed largely on reptiles.

&fist; The sacred ibis of the ancient Egyptians (Ibis Æthiopica) has the head and neck black, without feathers. The plumage of the body and wings is white, except the tertiaries, which are lengthened and form a dark purple plume. In ancient times this bird was extensively domesticated in Egypt, but it is now seldom seen so far north. The glossy ibis (Plegadis autumnalis), which is widely distributed both in the Old World and the New, has the head and neck feathered, except between the eyes and bill; the scarlet ibis (Guara rubra) and the white ibis (G. alba) inhabit the West Indies and South America, and are rarely found in the United States. The wood ibis (Tantalus loculator) of America belongs to the Stork family (Ciconidæ). See Wood ibis.

-i*ble (?). See -able.

-ic (?). [L. -icus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. -ique.] 1. A suffix signifying, in general, relating to, or characteristic of; as, historic, hygienic, telegraphic, etc.

2. (Chem.) A suffix, denoting that the element indicated enters into certain compounds with its highest valence, or with a valence relatively higher than in compounds where the name of the element ends in -ous; as, ferric, sulphuric. It is also used in the general sense of pertaining to; as, hydric, sodic, calcic.

I*ca"ri*an (?), a. [L. Icarius, Gr. &?;, fr. &?;, the mythic son of Dædalus, who, when flying from Crete on wings cemented with wax, mounted so high that the sun melted the wax, and he fell into the sea.] Soaring too high for safety, like Icarus; adventurous in flight.

Ice (īs), n. [OE. is, iis, AS. īs; aksin to D. ijs, G. eis, OHG. īs, Icel. īss, Sw. is, Dan. iis, and perh. to E. iron.] 1. Water or other fluid frozen or reduced to the solid state by cold; frozen water. It is a white or transparent colorless substance, crystalline, brittle, and viscoidal. Its specific gravity (0.92, that of water at 4° C. being 1.0) being less than that of water, ice floats.

&fist; Water freezes at 32° F. or 0° Cent., and ice melts at the same temperature. Ice owes its cooling properties to the large amount of heat required to melt it.

2. Concreted sugar. Johnson.

3. Water, cream, custard, etc., sweetened, flavored, and artificially frozen.

4. Any substance having the appearance of ice; as, camphor ice.

Anchor ice, ice which sometimes forms about stones and other objects at the bottom of running or other water, and is thus attached or anchored to the ground. -- Bay ice, ice formed in bays, fiords, etc., often in extensive fields which drift out to sea. -- Ground ice, anchor ice. -- Ice age (Geol.), the glacial epoch or period. See under Glacial. -- Ice anchor (Naut.), a grapnel for mooring a vessel to a field of ice. Kane. -- Ice blink [Dan. iisblink], a streak of whiteness of the horizon, caused by the reflection of light from ice not yet in sight. -- Ice boat. (a) A boat fitted with skates or runners, and propelled on ice by sails; an ice yacht. (b) A strong steamboat for breaking a channel through ice. -- Ice box or chest, a box for holding ice; a box in which things are kept cool by means of ice; a refrigerator. -- Ice brook, a brook or stream as cold as ice. [Poetic] Shak. -- Ice cream [for iced cream], cream, milk, or custard, sweetened, flavored, and frozen. -- Ice field, an extensive sheet of ice. -- Ice float, Ice floe, a sheet of floating ice similar to an ice field, but smaller. -- Ice foot, shore ice in Arctic regions; an ice belt. Kane. -- Ice house, a close-covered pit or building for storing ice. -- Ice machine (Physics), a machine for making ice artificially, as by the production of a low temperature through the sudden expansion of a gas or vapor, or the rapid evaporation of a volatile liquid. -- Ice master. See Ice pilot (below). -- Ice pack, an irregular mass of broken and drifting ice. -- Ice paper, a transparent film of gelatin for copying or reproducing; papier glacé. -- Ice petrel (Zoöl.), a shearwater (Puffinus gelidus) of the Antarctic seas, abundant among floating ice. -- Ice pick, a sharp instrument for breaking ice into small pieces. -- Ice pilot, a pilot who has charge of a vessel where the course is obstructed by ice, as in polar seas; -- called also ice master. -- Ice pitcher, a pitcher adapted for ice water. -- Ice plow, a large tool for grooving and cutting ice. -- Ice sludge, bay ice broken small by the wind or waves; sludge. -- Ice spar (Min.), a variety of feldspar, the crystals of which are very clear like ice; rhyacolite. -- Ice tongs, large iron nippers for handling ice. -- Ice water. (a) Water cooled by ice. (b) Water formed by the melting of ice. -- Ice yacht. See Ice boat (above). -- To break the ice. See under Break. -- Water ice, a confection consisting of water sweetened, flavored, and frozen.

Ice (īs), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Iced (īst); p. pr. & vb. n. Icing (ī"s&ibreve;ng).] 1. To cover with ice; to convert into ice, or into something resembling ice.

2. To cover with icing, or frosting made of sugar and milk or white of egg; to frost, as cakes, tarts, etc.

3. To chill or cool, as with ice; to freeze.

Ice"berg` (?), n. [Prob. of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. iisbierg, Sw. isberg, properly, a mountain of ice. See Ice, and Berg.] A large mass of ice, generally floating in the ocean.

&fist; Icebergs are large detached portions of glaciers, which in cold regions often project into the sea.

Ice"bird` (?), n. (Zoöl.) An Arctic sea bird, as the Arctic fulmar.

Ice"bound` (?), a. Totally surrounded with ice, so as to be incapable of advancing; as, an icebound vessel; also, surrounded by or fringed with ice so as to hinder easy access; as, an icebound coast.

Ice"-built` (?), a. 1. Composed of ice.

2. Loaded with ice. "Ice-built mountains." Gray.

Iced (?), a. 1. Covered with ice; chilled with ice; as, iced water.

2. Covered with something resembling ice, as sugar icing; frosted; as, iced cake.

Iced cream. Same as Ice cream, under Ice.

Ice"fall` (?), n. A frozen waterfall, or mass of ice resembling a frozen waterfall. Coleridge.

Ice"land*er (?), n. A native, or one of the Scandinavian people, of Iceland.

Ice*lan"dic (?), a. Of or pertaining to Iceland; relating to, or resembling, the Icelanders.

Ice*lan"dic (?), n. The language of the Icelanders. It is one of the Scandinavian group, and is more nearly allied to the Old Norse than any other language now spoken.

Ice"land moss` (?). (Bot.) A kind of lichen (Cetraria Icelandica) found from the Arctic regions to the North Temperate zone. It furnishes a nutritious jelly and other forms of food, and is used in pulmonary complaints as a demulcent.

Ice"land spar` (?). (Min.) A transparent variety of calcite, the best of which is obtained in Iceland. It is used for the prisms of the polariscope, because of its strong double refraction. Cf. Calcite.

Ice"man (?), n.; pl. Icemen (&?;). 1. A man who is skilled in traveling upon ice, as among glaciers.

2. One who deals in ice; one who retails or delivers ice.

Ice" plant` (?). (Bot.) A plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum), sprinkled with pellucid, watery vesicles, which glisten like ice. It is native along the Mediterranean, in the Canaries, and in South Africa. Its juice is said to be demulcent and diuretic; its ashes are used in Spain in making glass.

Ice-skater = one who skates on ice wearing an ice skate; esp. an athlete who performs athletic or artistic movements on a sheet of ice, wearing ice skates; including speed skater and figure skater -- >

Ice"quake` (īs"kwāk`), n. The crash or concussion attending the breaking up of masses of ice, -- often due to contraction from extreme cold.

Ich (&ibreve;k), pron. I. [Obs.] Chaucer.

&fist; In the Southern dialect of Early English this is the regular form. Cf. Ik.

Ich*neu"mon (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, lit., the tracker; so called because it hunts out the eggs of the crocodile, fr. &?; to track or hunt after, fr. 'i`chnos track, footstep.] 1. (Zoöl.) Any carnivorous mammal of the genus Herpestes, and family Viverridæ. Numerous species are found in Asia and Africa. The Egyptian species (H. ichneumon), which ranges to Spain and Palestine, is noted for destroying the eggs and young of the crocodile as well as various snakes and lizards, and hence was considered sacred by the ancient Egyptians. The common species of India (H. griseus), known as the mongoose, has similar habits and is often domesticated. It is noted for killing the cobra.

2. (Zoöl.) Any hymenopterous insect of the family Ichneumonidæ, of which several thousand species are known, belonging to numerous genera.

&fist; The female deposits her eggs upon, or in, the bodies of other insects, such as caterpillars, plant lice, etc. The larva lives upon the internal tissues of the insect in which it is parasitic, and finally kills it. Hence, many of the species are beneficial to agriculture by destroying noxious insects.

Ichneumon fly. See Ichneumon, 2.

Ich`neu*mon"i*dan (?), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Ichneumonidæ, or ichneumon flies. -- n. One of the Ichneumonidæ.

||Ich`neu*mon"i*des (?), n. pl. [NL. See Ichneumon.] (Zoöl.) The ichneumon flies.

Ich"nite (?), n. [Gr. 'i`chnos track, footstep.] A fossil footprint; as, the ichnites in the Triassic sandstone. Page.

{ Ich`no*graph"ic (?), Ich`no*graph"ic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. ichonographique.] Of or pertaining to ichonography; describing a ground plot.

Ich*nog"ra*phy (?), n. [Gr. &?;; 'i`chnos track, footstep + &?; to describe: cf. F. ichonographie.] (Drawing) A horizontal section of a building or other object, showing its true dimensions according to a geometric scale; a ground plan; a map; also, the art of making such plans.

Ich"no*lite (?), n. [Gr. 'i`chnos track, footstep + -lite.] A fossil footprint; an ichnite.

Ich`no*li*thol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. 'i`chnos footstep + -lith + -logy.] Same as Ichnology. Hitchcock.

Ich`no*log"ic*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to ichnology.

Ich*nol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. 'i`chnos a footstep + -logy.] (Geol.) The branch of science which treats of fossil footprints.

Ich*nos"co*py (?), n. [Gr. 'i`chnos footstep + -scopy.] The search for the traces of anything. [R.]

I"chor (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;: cf. F. ichor.] 1. (Class. Myth.) An ethereal fluid that supplied the place of blood in the veins of the gods.

2. A thin, acrid, watery discharge from an ulcer, wound, etc.

||I`chor*hæ"mi*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; ichor + &?; blood.] (Med.) Infection of the blood with ichorous or putrid substances.

I"chor*ous (?), a. [Cf. F. ichoreux.] Of or like ichor; thin; watery; serous; sanious.

Ich"thi*din (?), n. (Physiol. Chem.) A substance from the egg yolk of osseous fishes.

Ich"thin (?), n. [Gr. 'ichqy`s fish.] (Physiol. Chem.) A nitrogenous substance resembling vitellin, present in the egg yolk of cartilaginous fishes.

Ich"thu*lin (?), n. (Physiol. Chem.) A substance from the yolk of salmon's eggs.

Ich"thus (?), n. [Gr. 'ichqy`s.] In early Christian and eccesiastical art, an emblematic fish, or the Greek word for fish, which combined the initials of the Greek words Ihsoy^s, Christo`s, Qeoy^ Gio`s Swth`r, Jesus, Christ, Son of God, Savior.

Ich"thy*ic (?), a. [Gr. 'ichqy`s, -y`os, a fish.] (Zoöl.) Like, or pertaining to, fishes.

{ Ich"thy*o*col (?), Ich`thy*o*col"la (?), } n. [L. ichthyocolla, Gr. &?;; 'ichqy`s, -y`os, a fish + &?; glue: cf. F. ichthyocolle.] Fish glue; isinglass; a glue prepared from the sounds of certain fishes.

Ich`thy*o*cop"ro*lite (?), n. [Gr. 'ichqy`s, -y`os, a fish + E. coprolite.] (Geol.) Fossil dung of fishes.

Ich`thy*o*dor"u*lite (?), n. [Gr. 'ichqy`s, -y`os, a fish + &?; a spear + - lite.] (Zoöl.) One of the spiny plates found on the back and tail of certain skates.

Ich`thy*og"ra*phy (?), n. [Gr. 'ichqy`s, -y`os + graphy: cf. F. ichthyographie.] A treatise on fishes.

{ Ich"thy*oid (?), Ich`thy*oid"al (?), } a. [Gr. &?;: 'ichqy`s, -y`os, a fish + &?; form.] (Zoöl.) Somewhat like a fish; having some of the characteristics of fishes; -- said of some amphibians.

Ich`thy*ol"a*try (?), n. [Gr. 'ichqy`s, -y`os, a fish + &?; to worship.] Worship of fishes, or of fish-shaped idols. Layard.

Ich"thy*o*lite (?), n. [Gr. 'ichqy`s, -y`os, a fish + -lite.] (Paleon.) A fossil fish, or fragment of a fish.

{ Ich`thy*o*log"ic (?), Ich`thy*o*log"ic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. ichthyologique.] Of or pertaining to ichthyology.

Ich`thy*ol"o*gist (?), n. [Cf. F. ichthyologiste.] One versed in, or who studies, ichthyology.

Ich`thy*ol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. 'ichqy`s, -y`os, a fish + -logy: cf. F. ichthyologie.] The natural history of fishes; that branch of zoölogy which relates to fishes, including their structure, classification, and habits.

Ich"thy*o*man`cy (?), n. [Gr. 'ichqy`s, -y`os, a fish + -mancy: cf. F. ichthyomancie.] Divination by the heads or the entrails of fishes.

||Ich`thy*o*mor"pha (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; fish-shaped; 'ichqy`s, -y`os, a fish + &?; form.] (Zoöl.) The Urodela.

{ Ich`thy*o*mor"phic (?), Ich`thy*o*mor"phous (?), } a. [See Ichthyomorpha.] Fish- shaped; as, the ichthyomorphic idols of ancient Assyria.

Ich`thy*oph"a*gist (?), n. [See Ichthyophagous.] One who eats, or subsists on, fish.

Ich`thy*oph"a*gous (?), a. [L. ichthyophagus, Gr. &?;; 'ichqy`s, -y`os, a fish + &?; to eat.] Eating, or subsisting on, fish.

Ich`thy*oph"a*gy (?), n. [Gr. 'ichqyofagi`a: cf. F. ichthyophagie.] The practice of eating, or living upon, fish.

Ich`thy*oph*thal"mite (?), n. [Gr. 'ichqy`s, -y`os, a fish + &?; eye.] See Apophyllite. [R.]

||Ich`thy*oph*thi"ra (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. 'ichqy`s, -y`os, a fish + &?; a louse.] (Zoöl.) A division of copepod crustaceans, including numerous species parasitic on fishes.

||Ich`thy*op"si*da (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. 'ichqy`s, -y`os, a fish + &?; appearance.] (Zoöl.) A grand division of the Vertebrata, including the Amphibia and Fishes.

||Ich`thy*op`te*ryg"i*a (?), n. pl. [NL. See Ichthyopterygium.] (Paleon.) See Ichthyosauria.

||Ich`thy*op`te*ryg"i*um (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'ichqy`s, -y`os, a fish + &?; a fin.] (Anat.) The typical limb, or lateral fin, of fishes.

||Ich`thy*or"nis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'ichqy`s, -y`os, a fish + &?; bird.] (Paleon.) An extinct genus of toothed birds found in the American Cretaceous formation. It is remarkable for having biconcave vertebræ, and sharp, conical teeth set in sockets. Its wings were well developed. It is the type of the order Odontotormæ.

Ich"thy*o*saur (?), n. [Cf. F. ichthyosaure.] (Paleon.) One of the Ichthyosaura.

||Ich`thy*o*sau"ri*a (?), n. pl. [NL. See Ichthyosaurus.] (Paleon.) An extinct order of marine reptiles, including Ichthyosaurus and allied forms; -- called also Ichthyopterygia. They have not been found later than the Cretaceous period.

Ich`thy*o*sau"ri*an (?), a. (Paleon.) Of or pertaining to the Ichthyosauria. -- n. One of the Ichthyosauria.

||Ich`thy*o*sau"rus (?), n.; pl. Ichthyosauri (#). [NL., fr. Gr. 'ichqy`s, -y`os, a fish + say^ros a lizard.] (Paleon.) An extinct genus of marine reptiles; - - so named from their short, biconcave vertebræ, resembling those of fishes. Several species, varying in length from ten to thirty feet, are known from the Liassic, Oölitic, and Cretaceous formations.

||Ich`thy*o"sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'ichqy`s fish.] (Med.) A disease in which the skin is thick, rough, and scaly; -- called also fishskin. -- Ich`thy*ot"ic (#), a.

Ich`thy*ot"o*mist (?), n. One skilled in ichthyotomy.

Ich`thy*ot"o*my (?), n. [Gr. 'ichqy`s, -y`os, a fish + &?; to cut.] The anatomy or dissection of fishes. [R.]

||Ich"thys (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'ichqy`s a fish.] Same as Ichthus.

I"ci*cle (?), n. [OE. isikel, AS. īsgicel; īs ice + gicel icicle; akin to Icel. jökull; cf. Gael. eigh ice, Ir. aigh.] A pendent, and usually conical, mass of ice, formed by freezing of dripping water; as, the icicles on the eaves of a house.

I"ci*cled (?), a. Having icicles attached.

I"ci*ly (?), adv. In an icy manner; coldly.

Faultily faultless, icily regular, splendidly null,
Dead perfection, no more.
Tennyson.

I"ci*ness (?), n. The state or quality of being icy or very cold; frigidity.

I"cing (?), n. A coating or covering resembling ice, as of sugar and milk or white of egg; frosting.

Ic"kle (?), n. [OE. ikil. See Icicle.] An icicle. [Prov. Eng.]

I"con (ī"k&obreve;n), n. [L., fr. Gr. e'ikw`n.] An image or representation; a portrait or pretended portrait.

Netherlands whose names and icons are published.
Hakewill.

I*con"ic*al (?), a. Pertaining to, or consisting of, images, pictures, or representations of any kind.

I"con*ism (?), n. [L. iconismus, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to mold, delineate, fr. e'ikw`n an image: cf. F. iconisme.] The formation of a figure, representation, or semblance; a delineation or description.

Some kind of apish imitations, counterfeit iconisms.
Cudworth.

I"con*ize (?), v. t. [Gr. e'ikoni`zein.] To form an image or likeness of. [R.] Cudworth.

I*con"o*clasm (?), n. [Cf. F. iconoclasme. See Iconoclast.] The doctrine or practice of the iconoclasts; image breaking.

I*con"o*clast (?), n. [Gr. e'ikw`n image + &?; to break: cf. F. iconoclaste.] 1. A breaker or destroyer of images or idols; a determined enemy of idol worship.

2. One who exposes or destroys impositions or shams; one who attacks cherished beliefs; a radical.

I*con`o*clas"tic (?), a. Of or pertaining to the iconoclasts, or to image breaking. Milman.

{I*con"o*dule (?), I*con"o*du`list (?), } n. [Gr. e'ikw`n an image + &?; a slave.] (Eccl. Hist.) One who serves images; -- opposed to an iconoclast. Schaff-Herzog Encyc.

I`co*nog"ra*pher (?), n. A maker of images. Fairholt.

I*con`o*graph"ic (?), a. 1. Of or pertaining to iconography.

2. Representing by means of pictures or diagrams; as, an icongraphic encyclopædia.

I`co*nog"ra*phy (?), n. [Gr. &?; a sketch or description; e'ikw`n an image + &?; to describe: cf. F. iconographie.] 1. The art or representation by pictures or images; the description or study of portraiture or representation, as of persons; as, the iconography of the ancients.

2. The study of representative art in general.

Christian iconography, the study of the representations in art of the Deity, the persons of the Trinity, angels, saints, virtues, vices, etc.

I`co*nol"a*ter (?), n. [Gr. e'ikw`n an image + &?; to worship: cf. F. iconolâtre.] One who worships images.

I`co*nol"a*try (?), n. [See Iconolater.] The worship of images as symbols; -- distinguished from idolatry, the worship of images themselves.

I`co*nol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?;; e'ikw`n an image + &?; discourse: cf. F. iconologie.] The discussion or description of portraiture or of representative images. Cf. Iconography.

I`co*nom"a*chy (?), n. [Gr. &?; a war against images; e'ikw`n an image + &?; fight.] Hostility to images as objects of worship. [R.]

I`co*nom"ic*al (?), a. [Gr. &?;; e'ikw`n image + &?; fight.] Opposed to pictures or images as objects of worship. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

I`co*noph"i*list (?), n. [Gr. e'ikw`n an image + &?; to love.] A student, or lover of the study, of iconography.

I`co*sa*he"dral (?), a. [See Icosahedron.] (Geom.) Having twenty equal sides or faces.

I`co*sa*he"dron (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; twenty + &?; seat, base, fr. &?; to sit.] (Geom.) A solid bounded by twenty sides or faces.

Regular icosahedron, one of the five regular polyhedrons, bounded by twenty equilateral triangules. Five triangles meet to form each solid angle of the polyhedron.

||I`co*san"dri*a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; twenty +&?;, &?;, man, male: cf. F. icosandrie.] (Bot.) A Linnæan class of plants, having twenty or more stamens inserted in the calyx.

{ I`co*san"dri*an (?), I`co*san"drous (?), } a. (Bot.) Pertaining to the class Icosandria; having twenty or more stamens inserted in the calyx.

I`co*si*tet`ra*he"dron (?), n. [Gr. &?; twenty + &?;, combining form of &?; four + &?; seat, base.] (Crystallog.) A twenty-four-sided solid; a tetragonal trisoctahedron or trapezohedron.

-ics (?). A suffix used in forming the names of certain sciences, systems, etc., as acoustics, mathematics, dynamics, statistics, politics, athletics.

&fist; The names sciences ending in ics, as mathematics, mechanics, metaphysics, optics, etc., are, with respect to their form, nouns in the plural number. The plural form was probably introduced to mark the complex nature of such sciences; and it may have been in imitation of the use of the Greek plurals &?;, &?;, &?;, &?;, etc., to designate parts of Aristotle's writings. Previously to the present century, nouns ending in ics were construed with a verb or a pronoun in the plural; but it is now generally considered preferable to treat them as singular. In Greman we have die Mathematik, die Mechanik, etc., and in French la metaphysique, la optique, etc., corresponding to our mathematics, mechanics, metaphysics, optics, etc.

Mathematics have for their object the consideration of whatever is capable of being numbered or measured.
John Davidson.

The citations subjoined will serve as examples of the best present usage.

Ethics is the sciences of the laws which govern our actions as moral agents.
Sir W. Hamilton.

All parts of knowledge have their origin in metaphysics, and finally, perhaps, revolve into it.
De Quincey.

Mechanics, like pure mathematics, may be geometrical, or may be analytical; that is, it may treat space either by a direct consideration of its properties, or by a symbolical representation.
Whewell.

Ic*ter"ic (?), n. A remedy for the jaundice.

{ Ic*ter"ic (?), Ic*ter"ic*al (?), } a. [L. ictericus, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; jaundice: cf. F. ictérique.] 1. Pertaining to, or affected with, jaundice.

2. Good against the jaundice. Johnson.

{ Ic`ter*i"tious (?), Ic*ter"i*tous (?), } a. Yellow; of the color of the skin when it is affected by the jaundice.

Ic"ter*oid (?), a. [Gr. &?; jaundice + -oid.] Of a tint resembling that produced by jaundice; yellow; as, an icteroid tint or complexion.

||Ic"te*rus (?), n. [NL. See Icteric, a.] (Med.) The jaundice.

Ic"tic (?), a. [L. ictus blow.] Pertaining to, or caused by, a blow; sudden; abrupt. [R.] H. Bushnell.

||Ic"tus (?), n. [L., fr. icere, ictum, to strike.] 1. (Pros.) The stress of voice laid upon accented syllable of a word. Cf. Arsis.

2. (Med.) A stroke or blow, as in a sunstroke, the sting of an insect, pulsation of an artery, etc.

I"cy (?), a. [Compar. Icier (?); superl. Iciest.] [AS. īsig. See Ice.] 1. Pertaining to, resembling, or abounding in, ice; cold; frosty. "Icy chains." Shak. "Icy region." Boyle. "Icy seas." Pope.

2. Characterized by coldness, as of manner, influence, etc.; chilling; frigid; cold.

Icy was the deportment with which Philip received these demonstrations of affection.
Motley.

I"cy-pearl`ed (?), a. Spangled with ice.

Mounting up in icy-pearled car.
Milton.

I'd (?). A contraction from I would or I had.

Id (?), n. (Zoöl.) A small fresh-water cyprinoid fish (Leuciscus idus or Idus idus) of Europe. A domesticated variety, colored like the goldfish, is called orfe in Germany.

I*da"li*an (?), a. Of or pertaining to Idalium, a mountain city in Cyprus, or to Venus, to whom it was sacred. "Idalian Aphrodité." Tennyson.

Ide (?), n. (Zoöl.) Same as Id.

-ide (?). (Chem.) A suffix used to denote: (a) The nonmetallic, or negative, element or radical in a binary compound; as, oxide, sulphide, chloride. (b) A compound which is an anhydride; as, glycolide, phthalide. (c) Any one of a series of derivatives; as, indogenide, glucoside, etc.

I*de"a (?), n.; pl. Ideas (#). [L. idea, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to see; akin to E. wit: cf. F. idée. See Wit.] 1. The transcript, image, or picture of a visible object, that is formed by the mind; also, a similar image of any object whatever, whether sensible or spiritual.

Her sweet idea wandered through his thoughts.
Fairfax.

Being the right idea of your father
Both in your form and nobleness of mind.
Shak.

This representation or likeness of the object being transmitted from thence [the senses] to the imagination, and lodged there for the view and observation of the pure intellect, is aptly and properly called its idea.
P. Browne.

2. A general notion, or a conception formed by generalization.

Alice had not the slightest idea what latitude was.
L. Caroll.

3. Hence: Any object apprehended, conceived, or thought of, by the mind; a notion, conception, or thought; the real object that is conceived or thought of.

Whatsoever the mind perceives in itself, or as the immediate object of perception, thought, or undersanding, that I call idea.
Locke.

4. A belief, option, or doctrine; a characteristic or controlling principle; as, an essential idea; the idea of development.

That fellow seems to me to possess but one idea, and that is a wrong one.
Johnson.

What is now "idea" for us? How infinite the fall of this word, since the time where Milton sang of the Creator contemplating his newly-created world, -
"how it showed . . .
Answering his great idea," -
to its present use, when this person "has an idea that the train has started," and the other "had no idea that the dinner would be so bad!"
Trench.

5. A plan or purpose of action; intention; design.

I shortly afterwards set off for that capital, with an idea of undertaking while there the translation of the work.
W. Irving.

6. A rational conception; the complete conception of an object when thought of in all its essential elements or constituents; the necessary metaphysical or constituent attributes and relations, when conceived in the abstract.

7. A fiction object or picture created by the imagination; the same when proposed as a pattern to be copied, or a standard to be reached; one of the archetypes or patterns of created things, conceived by the Platonists to have excited objectively from eternity in the mind of the Deity.

Thence to behold this new-created world,
The addition of his empire, how it showed
In prospect from his throne, how good, how fair,
Answering his great idea.
Milton.

&fist; "In England, Locke may be said to have been the first who naturalized the term in its Cartesian universality. When, in common language, employed by Milton and Dryden, after Descartes, as before him by Sidney, Spenser, Shakespeare, Hooker, etc., the meaning is Platonic." Sir W. Hamilton.

Abstract idea, Association of ideas, etc. See under Abstract, Association, etc.

Syn. -- Notion; conception; thought; sentiment; fancy; image; perception; impression; opinion; belief; observation; judgment; consideration; view; design; intention; purpose; plan; model; pattern. There is scarcely any other word which is subjected to such abusive treatment as is the word idea, in the very general and indiscriminative way in which it is employed, as it is used variously to signify almost any act, state, or content of thought.

I*de"al (?), a. [L. idealis: cf. F. idéal.] 1. Existing in idea or thought; conceptional; intellectual; mental; as, ideal knowledge.

2. Reaching an imaginary standard of excellence; fit for a model; faultless; as, ideal beauty. Byron.

There will always be a wide interval between practical and ideal excellence.
Rambler.

3. Existing in fancy or imagination only; visionary; unreal. "Planning ideal common wealth." Southey.

4. Teaching the doctrine of idealism; as, the ideal theory or philosophy.

5. (Math.) Imaginary.

Syn. -- Intellectual; mental; visionary; fanciful; imaginary; unreal; impracticable; utopian.

I*de"al (?), n. A mental conception regarded as a standard of perfection; a model of excellence, beauty, etc.

The ideal is to be attained by selecting and assembling in one whole the beauties and perfections which are usually seen in different individuals, excluding everything defective or unseemly, so as to form a type or model of the species. Thus, the Apollo Belvedere is the ideal of the beauty and proportion of the human frame.
Fleming.

Beau ideal. See Beau ideal.

I*de"a*less (?), a. Destitute of an idea.

I*de"al*ism (?), n. [Cf. F. idéalisme.] 1. The quality or state of being ideal.

2. Conception of the ideal; imagery.

3. (Philos.) The system or theory that denies the existence of material bodies, and teaches that we have no rational grounds to believe in the reality of anything but ideas and their relations.

I*de"al*ist, n. [Cf. F. idéaliste.] 1. One who idealizes; one who forms picturesque fancies; one given to romantic expectations.

2. One who holds the doctrine of idealism.

I*de`al*is"tic (?), a. Of or pertaining to idealists or their theories.

I`de*al"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Idealities (&?;). 1. The quality or state of being ideal.

2. The capacity to form ideals of beauty or perfection.

3. (Phren.) The conceptive faculty.

I*de`al*i*za"tion (?), n. 1. The act or process of idealizing.

2. (Fine Arts) The representation of natural objects, scenes, etc., in such a way as to show their most important characteristics; the study of the ideal.

I*de"al*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Idealized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Idealizing (?).] 1. To make ideal; to give an ideal form or value to; to attribute ideal characteristics and excellences to; as, to idealize real life.

2. (Fine Arts) To treat in an ideal manner. See Idealization, 2.

I*de"al*ize, v. i. [Cf. F. idéaliser.] To form ideals.

I*de"al*i`zer (?), n. An idealist.

I*de"al*ly, adv. In an ideal manner; by means of ideals; mentally.

I*de`a*log"ic (?), a. Of or pertaining to an idealogue, or to idealization.

I*de"a*logue (?), n. [Idea + -logue, as in theologue: cf. F. idéologue.] One given to fanciful ideas or theories; a theorist; a spectator. [R.] Mrs. Browning.

{ I*de"at (?), I*de"ate (?), } n. [LL. ideatum. See Idea.] (Metaph.) The actual existence supposed to correspond with an idea; the correlate in real existence to the idea as a thought or existence.

I*de"ate (?), v. t. 1. To form in idea; to fancy. [R.]

The ideated man . . . as he stood in the intellect of God.
Sir T. Browne.

2. To apprehend in thought so as to fix and hold in the mind; to memorize. [R.]

I`de*a"tion (?), n. The faculty or capacity of the mind for forming ideas; the exercise of this capacity; the act of the mind by which objects of sense are apprehended and retained as objects of thought.

The whole mass of residua which have been accumulated . . . all enter now into the process of ideation.
J. D. Morell.

I`de*a"tion*al (?), a. Pertaining to, or characterized by, ideation.

Certain sensational or ideational stimuli.
Blackw. Mag.

I"dem (?), pron. or adj. [L.] The same; the same as above; -- often abbreviated id.

I*den"tic (?), a. Identical. [Obs.] Hudibras.

I*den"tic*al (?), a. [Cf. F. identique. See Identity.] 1. The same; the selfsame; the very same; not different; as, the identical person or thing.

I can not remember a thing that happened a year ago, without a conviction . . . that I, the same identical person who now remember that event, did then exist.
Reid.

2. Uttering sameness or the same truth; expressing in the predicate what is given, or obviously implied, in the subject; tautological.

When you say body is solid, I say that you make an identical proposition, because it is impossible to have the idea of body without that of solidity.
Fleming.

Identical equation (Alg.), an equation which is true for all values of the algebraic symbols which enter into it.

I*den"tic*al*ly, adv. In an identical manner; with respect to identity. "Identically the same." Bp. Warburton. "Identically different." Ross.

I*den"tic*al*ness, n. The quality or state of being identical; sameness.

I*den"ti*fi`a*ble (?), a. Capable of being identified.

I*den`ti*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. identification.] The act of identifying, or proving to be the same; also, the state of being identified.

I*den"ti*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Identified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Identifying (?).] [Cf. F. identifier. See Identity, and -fy.] 1. To make to be the same; to unite or combine in such a manner as to make one; to treat as being one or having the same purpose or effect; to consider as the same in any relation.

Every precaution is taken to identify the interests of the people and of the rulers.
D. Ramsay.

Let us identify, let us incorporate ourselves with the people.
Burke.

2. To establish the identity of; to prove to be the same with something described, claimed, or asserted; as, to identify stolen property.

I*den"ti*fy (?), v. i. To become the same; to coalesce in interest, purpose, use, effect, etc. [Obs. or R.]

An enlightened self-interest, which, when well understood, they tell us will identify with an interest more enlarged and public.
Burke.

I*den"tism (?), n. [See Identity.] (Metaph.) The doctrine taught by Schelling, that matter and mind, and subject and object, are identical in the Absolute; -- called also the system or doctrine of identity.

I*den"ti*ty (?), n.; pl. Identities (#). [F. identité, LL. identitas, fr. L. idem the same, from the root of is he, that; cf. Skr. idam this. Cf. Item.] 1. The state or quality of being identical, or the same; sameness.

Identity is a relation between our cognitions of a thing, not between things themselves.
Sir W. Hamilton.

2. The condition of being the same with something described or asserted, or of possessing a character claimed; as, to establish the identity of stolen goods.

3. (Math.) An identical equation.

I"de*o- (?). A combining form from the Gr. &?;, an idea.

I`de*o*gen"ic*al (?), a. Of or relating to ideology.

I`de*og"e*ny (?), n. [Ideo- + -geny, from the same root as Gr. &?;, birth: cf. F. idéogénie.] The science which treats of the origin of ideas.

I*de"o*gram (?), n. [Ideo- + -gram; cf. F. idéograme.] 1. An original, pictorial element of writing; a kind of hieroglyph expressing no sound, but only an idea.

Ideograms may be defined to be pictures intended to represent either things or thoughts.
I. Taylor (The Alphabet).

You might even have a history without language written or spoken, by means of ideograms and gesture.
J. Peile.

2. A symbol used for convenience, or for abbreviation; as, 1, 2, 3, +, -, &?;, $, &?;, etc.

3. A phonetic symbol; a letter.

I*de"o*graph (?), n. Same as Ideogram.

{ I`de*o*graph"ic (?), I`de*o*graph"ic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. idéographique.] Of or pertaining to an ideogram; representing ideas by symbols, independently of sounds; as, 9 represents not the word "nine," but the idea of the number itself. -- I`de*o*graph"ic*al*ly, adv.

I`de*o*graph"ics (?), n. The system of writing in ideographic characters; also, anything so written.

I`de*og"ra*phy (?), n. The representation of ideas independently of sounds, or in an ideographic manner, as sometimes is done in shorthand writing, etc.

I`de*o*log"ic*al (?), a. [Cf. F. idéologique.] Of or pertaining to ideology.

I`de*ol"o*gist (?), n. One who treats of ideas; one who theorizes or idealizes; one versed in the science of ideas, or who advocates the doctrines of ideology.

I`de*ol"o*gy (?), n. [Ideo- + -logy: cf. F. idéologie.] 1. The science of ideas. Stewart.

2. (Metaph.) A theory of the origin of ideas which derives them exclusively from sensation.

&fist; By a double blunder in philosophy and Greek, idéologie . . . has in France become the name peculiarly distinctive of that philosophy of mind which exclusively derives our knowledge from sensation. Sir W. Hamilton.

I`de*o-mo"tion (?), n. (Physiol.) An ideo-motor movement.

I`de*o-mo"tor (?), a. [Ideo- + motor.] (Physiol.) Applied to those actions, or muscular movements, which are automatic expressions of dominant ideas, rather than the result of distinct volitional efforts, as the act of expressing the thoughts in speech, or in writing, while the mind is occupied in the composition of the sentence. Carpenter.

Ides (īdz), n. pl. [L. idus: cf. F. ides.] (Anc. Rom. Calendar) The fifteenth day of March, May, July, and October, and the thirteenth day of the other months.

The ides of March remember.
Shak.

&fist; Eight days in each month often pass by this name, but only one strictly receives it, the others being called respectively the day before the ides, and so on, backward, to the eighth from the ides.

Id"i*o- (&ibreve;d"&ibreve;*&osl;-). A combining form from the Greek 'i`dios, meaning private, personal, peculiar, distinct.

Id"i*o*blast (&ibreve;d"&ibreve;*&osl;*blăst), n. [Ideo- + -blast.] (Bot.) An individual cell, differing greatly from its neighbours in regard to size, structure, or contents.

||Id`i*o*cra"sis (?), n. [NL.] Idiocracy.

Id`i*oc"ra*sy (?), n.; pl. Idiocrasies (#). [Idio- + Gr. kra^sis a mixture, fr. &?; to mix: cf. F. idiocrasie.] Peculiarity of constitution; that temperament, or state of constitution, which is peculiar to a person; idiosyncrasy.

{ Id`i*o*crat"ic (?), Id`i*o*crat"ic*al (?), } a. Peculiar in constitution or temperament; idiosyncratic.

Id"i*o*cy (&ibreve;d"&ibreve;*&osl;*s&ybreve;), n. [From idiot; cf. Gr. &?; uncouthness, want of education, fr. &?;. See Idiot, and cf. Idiotcy.] The condition or quality of being an idiot; absence, or marked deficiency, of sense and intelligence.

I will undertake to convict a man of idiocy, if he can not see the proof that three angles of a triangle are equal to two right angles.
F. W. Robertson.

Id`i*o*cy*cloph"a*nous (?), a. [Idio- + Gr. &?; circle + &?; to appear.] (Crystallog.) Same as Idiophanous.

Id`i*o*e*lec"tric (?), a. [Idio- + electric: cf. F. idioélectrique.] (Physics) Electric by virtue of its own peculiar properties; capable of becoming electrified by friction; -- opposed to anelectric. -- n. An idioelectric substance.

Id"i*o*graph (&ibreve;d"&ibreve;*&osl;*gr&adot;f), n. [Gr. &?; autographic; 'i`dios one's own + gra`fein to write.] A mark or signature peculiar to an individual; a trade-mark.

{ Id`i*o*graph"ic (&ibreve;d`&ibreve;*&osl;*grăf"&ibreve;k), Id`i*o*graph"ic*al (?), } a. Of or pertaining to an idiograph.

Id`i*ol"a*try (?), n. [Idio- + Gr. &?; to worship.] Self-worship; excessive self- esteem.

Id"i*om (&ibreve;d"&ibreve;*ŭm), n. [F. idiome, L. idioma, fr. Gr. 'idi`wma, fr. 'idioy^n to make a person's own, to make proper or peculiar; fr. 'i`dios one's own, proper, peculiar; prob. akin to the reflexive pronoun o"y^, o'i^, 'e`, and to "eo`s, 'o`s, one's own, L. suus, and to E. so.] 1. The syntactical or structural form peculiar to any language; the genius or cast of a language.

Idiom may be employed loosely and figuratively as a synonym of language or dialect, but in its proper sense it signifies the totality of the general rules of construction which characterize the syntax of a particular language and distinguish it from other tongues.
G. P. Marsh.

By idiom is meant the use of words which is peculiar to a particular language.
J. H. Newman.

He followed their language [the Latin], but did not comply with the idiom of ours.
Dryden.

2. An expression conforming or appropriate to the peculiar structural form of a language; in extend use, an expression sanctioned by usage, having a sense peculiar to itself and not agreeing with the logical sense of its structural form; also, the phrase forms peculiar to a particular author.

Some that with care true eloquence shall teach,
And to just idioms fix our doubtful speech.
Prior.

Sometimes we identify the words with the object -- though by courtesy of idiom rather than in strict propriety of language.
Coleridge.

Every good writer has much idiom.
Landor.

It is not by means of rules that such idioms as the following are made current: "I can make nothing of it." "He treats his subject home." Dryden. "It is that within us that makes for righteousness." M. Arnold.
Gostwick (Eng. Gram.)

3. Dialect; a variant form of a language.

Syn. -- Dialect. -- Idiom, Dialect. The idioms of a language belong to its very structure; its dialects are varieties of expression ingrafted upon it in different localities or by different professions. Each county of England has some peculiarities of dialect, and so have most of the professions, while the great idioms of the language are everywhere the same. See Language.

{ Id`i*o*mat"ic (?), Id`i*o*mat"ic*al (?), } a. [Gr. 'idiwmatiko`s.] Of or pertaining to, or conforming to, the mode of expression peculiar to a language; as, an idiomatic meaning; an idiomatic phrase. -- Id`i*o*mat"ic*al*ly, adv.

Id`i*o*morph"ic (?), a. Idiomorphous.

Id`i*o*morph"ous (?), a. [Gr. 'idio`morfos of peculiar form; 'i`dios peculiar + &?; form.] 1. Having a form of its own.

2. (Crystallog.) Apperaing in distinct crystals; -- said of the mineral constituents of a rock.

Id`i*o*mus"cu*lar (?), a. [Idio- + muscular.] (Physiol.) Applied to a semipermanent contraction of a muscle, produced by a mechanical irritant.

Id`i*o*pa*thet"ic (?), a. Idiopathic. [R.]

{ Id`i*o*path"ic (?), Id`i*o*path"ic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. idiopathique.] (Med.) Pertaining to idiopathy; characterizing a disease arising primarily, and not in consequence of some other disease or injury; -- opposed to symptomatic, sympathetic, and traumatic. -- Id`i*o*path"ic*al*ly, adv.

Id`i*op"a*thy (?), n.; pl. Idiopathies (#). [Gr. &?;; 'i`dios proper, peculiar + &?;, &?;, to suffer: cf. F. idiopathie.] 1. A peculiar, or individual, characteristic or affection.

All men are so full of their own fancies and idiopathies, that they scarce have the civility to interchange any words with a stranger.
Dr. H. More.

2. (Med.) A morbid state or condition not preceded or occasioned by any other disease; a primary disease.

Id`i*oph"a*nous (?), a. [Idio- + &?; to appear.] (Crystallog.) Exhibiting interference figures without the aid of a polariscope, as certain crystals.

Id"i*o*plasm (?), n. (Biol.) Same as Idioplasma.

||Id`i*o*plas"ma (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'i`dios proper, peculiar + &?; a form, mold.] (Biol.) That portion of the cell protoplasm which is the seat of all active changes, and which carries on the function of hereditary transmission; -- distinguished from the other portion, which is termed nutritive plasma. See Hygroplasm.

Id`i*o*re*pul"sive (?), a. [Idio- + repulsive.] Repulsive by itself; as, the idiorepulsive power of heat.

Id`i*o*syn"cra*sy (?), n.; pl. Idiosyncrasies (#). [Gr. &?;; 'i`dios proper, peculiar + &?; a mixing together, fr. &?; to mix together; &?; with + &?; to mix: cf. F. idiosyncrasie. See Idiom, and Crasis.] A peculiarity of physical or mental constitution or temperament; a characteristic belonging to, and distinguishing, an individual; characteristic susceptibility; idiocrasy; eccentricity.

The individual mind . . . takes its tone from the idiosyncrasies of the body.
I. Taylor.

{ Id`i*o*syn*crat"ic (?), Id`i*o*syn*crat"ic*al (?), } a. Of peculiar temper or disposition; belonging to one's peculiar and individual character.

Id"i*ot (&ibreve;d"&ibreve;*&obreve;t), n. [F. idiot, L. idiota an uneducated, ignorant, ill-informed person, Gr. 'idiw`ths, also and orig., a private person, not holding public office, fr. 'i`dios proper, peculiar. See Idiom.] 1. A man in private station, as distinguished from one holding a public office. [Obs.]

St. Austin affirmed that the plain places of Scripture are sufficient to all laics, and all idiots or private persons.
Jer. Taylor.

2. An unlearned, ignorant, or simple person, as distinguished from the educated; an ignoramus. [Obs.]

Christ was received of idiots, of the vulgar people, and of the simpler sort, while he was rejected, despised, and persecuted even to death by the high priests, lawyers, scribes, doctors, and rabbis.
C. Blount.

3. A human being destitute of the ordinary intellectual powers, whether congenital, developmental, or accidental; commonly, a person without understanding from birth; a natural fool; a natural; an innocent.

Life . . . is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
Shak.

4. A fool; a simpleton; -- a term of reproach.

Weenest thou make an idiot of our dame?
Chaucer.

Id"i*ot*cy (?), n. [Cf. Idiocy.] Idiocy. [R.]

Id"i*ot*ed (?), a. Rendered idiotic; befooled. [R.] Tennyson.

Id`i*o*ther"mic (?), a. [Idio- + thermic.] Self-heating; warmed, as the body of animal, by process going on within itself.

{ Id`i*ot"ic (?), Id`i*ot"ic*al (?), } a. [L. idioticus ignorant, Gr. &?;: cf. F. idiotique. See Idiot.] 1. Common; simple. [Obs.] Blackwall.

2. Pertaining to, or like, an idiot; characterized by idiocy; foolish; fatuous; as, an idiotic person, speech, laugh, or action.

Id`i*ot"ic*al*ly, adv. In an idiotic manner.

Id`i*ot"i*con (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; belonging to a private man, private. See Idiot.] A dictionary of a peculiar dialect, or of the words and phrases peculiar to one part of a country; a glossary.

Id"i*ot*ish (?), a. Like an idiot; foolish.

Id"i*ot*ism (?), n. [F. idiotisme, L. idiotismus the way of fashion of a private person, the common or vulgar manner of speaking, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to put into or use common language, fr. &?;. See Idiot.] 1. An idiom; a form, mode of expression, or signification, peculiar to a language.

Scholars sometimes give terminations and idiotisms, suitable to their native language, unto words newly invented.
M. Hale.

2. Lack of knowledge or mental capacity; idiocy; foolishness.

Worse than mere ignorance or idiotism.
Shaftesbury.

The running that adventure is the greatist idiotism.
Hammond.

Id"i*ot*ize (?), v. i. To become stupid. [R.]

Id"i*ot*ry (?), n. Idiocy. [R.] Bp. Warburton.

I"dle (?), a. [Compar. Idler (?); superl. Idlest.] [OE. idel, AS. īdel vain, empty, useless; akin to OS. īdal, D. ijdel, OHG. ītal vain, empty, mere, G. eitel, Dan. & Sw. idel mere, pure, and prob. to Gr. &?; clear, pure, &?; to burn. Cf. Ether.] 1. Of no account; useless; vain; trifling; unprofitable; thoughtless; silly; barren. "Deserts idle." Shak.

Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Matt. xii. 36.

Down their idle weapons dropped.
Milton.

This idle story became important.
Macaulay.

2. Not called into active service; not turned to appropriate use; unemployed; as, idle hours.

The idle spear and shield were high uphing.
Milton.

3. Not employed; unoccupied with business; inactive; doing nothing; as, idle workmen.

Why stand ye here all the day idle?
Matt. xx. 6.

4. Given rest and ease; averse to labor or employment; lazy; slothful; as, an idle fellow.

5. Light-headed; foolish. [Obs.] Ford.

Idle pulley (Mach.), a pulley that rests upon a belt to tighten it; a pulley that only guides a belt and is not used to transmit power. -- Idle wheel (Mach.), a gear wheel placed between two others, to transfer motion from one to the other without changing the direction of revolution. -- In idle, in vain. [Obs.] "God saith, thou shalt not take the name of thy Lord God in idle." Chaucer.

Syn. -- Unoccupied; unemployed; vacant; inactive; indolent; sluggish; slothful; useless; ineffectual; futile; frivolous; vain; trifling; unprofitable; unimportant. -- Idle, Indolent, Lazy. A propensity to inaction is expressed by each of these words; they differ in the cause and degree of this characteristic. Indolent denotes an habitual love to ease, a settled dislike of movement or effort; idle is opposed to busy, and denotes a dislike of continuous exertion. Lazy is a stronger and more contemptuous term than indolent.

I"dle, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Idled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Idling (?).] To lose or spend time in inaction, or without being employed in business. Shak.

I"dle, v. t. To spend in idleness; to waste; to consume; -- often followed by away; as, to idle away an hour a day.

I"dle-head`ed (?), a. 1. Foolish; stupid. [Obs.] "The superstitious idle-headed eld." Shak.

2. Delirious; infatuated. [Obs.] L'Estrange.

I"dle*ness, n. [AS. īdelnes.] The condition or quality of being idle (in the various senses of that word); uselessness; fruitlessness; triviality; inactivity; laziness.

Syn. -- Inaction; indolence; sluggishness; sloth.

I"dle-pat`ed (?), a. Idle-headed; stupid. [Obs.]

I"dler (?), n. 1. One who idles; one who spends his time in inaction; a lazy person; a sluggard.

2. (Naut.) One who has constant day duties on board ship, and keeps no regular watch. Totten.

3. (Mach.) An idle wheel or pulley. See under Idle.

{ I"dless, I"dlesse } (?), n. Idleness. [Archaic] "In ydlesse." Spenser.

And an idlesse all the day
Beside a wandering stream.
Mrs. Browning.

I"dly (?), adv. In a idle manner; ineffectually; vainly; lazily; carelessly; (Obs.) foolishly.

Id"o*crase (&ibreve;d"&osl;*krās; 277), n. [Gr. e'i^dos form + kra^sis mixture, fr. keranny`nai to mix; cf. F. idocrase.] (Min.) Same as Vesuvianite.

I"dol (?), n. [OE. idole, F. idole, L. idolum, fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; that which is seen, the form, shape, figure, fr. &?; to see. See Wit, and cf. Eidolon.] 1. An image or representation of anything. [Obs.]

Do her adore with sacred reverence,
As th' idol of her maker's great magnificence.
Spenser.

2. An image of a divinity; a representation or symbol of a deity or any other being or thing, made or used as an object of worship; a similitude of a false god.

That they should not worship devils, and idols of gold.
Rev. ix. 20.

3. That on which the affections are strongly (often excessively) set; an object of passionate devotion; a person or thing greatly loved or adored.

The soldier's god and people's idol.
Denham.

4. A false notion or conception; a fallacy. Bacon.

The idols of preconceived opinion.
Coleridge.

I`do*las"tre (?), n. [OE., for idolatre.] An idolater. [Obs.] Chaucer.

I*dol"a*ter (?), n. [F. idolâtre: cf. L. idololatres, Gr. &?;. See Idolatry.] 1. A worshiper of idols; one who pays divine honors to images, statues, or representations of anything made by hands; one who worships as a deity that which is not God; a pagan.

2. An adorer; a great admirer.

Jonson was an idolater of the ancients.
Bp. Hurd.

I*dol"a*tress (?), n. A female worshiper of idols.

I`do*lat"ric*al (?), a. [Cf. F. idolâtrique.] Idolatrous. [Obs.]

I*dol"a*trize (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Idolatrized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Idolatrizing (?).] To worship idols; to pay idolatrous worship.

I*dol"a*trize, v. t. To make in idol of; to idolize.

I*dol"a*trous (?), a. 1. Of or pertaining to idolatry; partaking of the nature of idolatry; given to idolatry or the worship of false gods; as, idolatrous sacrifices.

[Josiah] put down the idolatrous priests.
2 Kings xxiii. 5.

2. Consisting in, or partaking of, an excessive attachment or reverence; as, an idolatrous veneration for antiquity.

I*dol"a*trous*ly, adv. In a idolatrous manner.

I*dol"a*try (?), n.; pl. Idolatries (#). [F. idolâtrie, LL. idolatria, L. idololatria, Fr. Gr. &?;; &?; idol + &?; service.] 1. The worship of idols, images, or anything which is not God; the worship of false gods.

His eye surveyed the dark idolatries
Of alienated Judah.
Milton.

2. Excessive attachment or veneration for anything; respect or love which borders on adoration. Shak.

I"dol*ish (?), a. Idolatrous. [Obs.] Milton.

I"dol*ism (?), n. The worship of idols. [Obs.]

I"dol*ist, n. A worshiper of idols. [Obs.] Milton.

I"dol*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Idolized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Idolizing (?).] 1. To make an idol of; to pay idolatrous worship to; as, to idolize the sacred bull in Egypt.

2. To love to excess; to love or reverence to adoration; as, to idolize gold, children, a hero.

I"dol*ize, v. i. To practice idolatry. [R.]

To idolize after the manner of Egypt.
Fairbairn.

I"dol*i`zer (?), n. One who idolizes or loves to the point of reverence; an idolater.

I*dol"o*clast (?), n. [Gr. &?; idol + &?; to break.] A breaker of idols; an iconoclast.

I*dol`o*graph"ic*al (?), a. [Idol + -graph.] Descriptive of idols. [R.] Southey.

I"dol*ous (?), a. Idolatrous. [Obs.] Bale.

I*do"ne*ous (?), a. [L. idoneus.] Appropriate; suitable; proper; fit; adequate. [R.]

An ecclesiastical benefice . . . ought to be conferred on an idoneous person.
Ayliffe.

Id*or"gan (?), n. [Gr. &?; form + E. organ.] (Biol.) A morphological unit, consisting of two or more plastids, which does not possess the positive character of the person or stock, in distinction from the physiological organ or biorgan. See Morphon.

{ Id"ri*a*line (?), Id"ri*a*lite (?), } n. [Cf. F. idrialine.] (Min.) A bituminous substance obtained from the mercury mines of Idria, where it occurs mixed with cinnabar.

Id`u*me"an (?), a. Of or pertaining to ancient Idumea, or Edom, in Western Asia. -- n. An inhabitant of Idumea, an Edomite.

I"dyl (?), n. [L. idyllium, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; form; literally, a little form of image: cf. F. idylle. See Idol.] A short poem; properly, a short pastoral poem; as, the idyls of Theocritus; also, any poem, especially a narrative or descriptive poem, written in an eleveted and highly finished style; also, by extension, any artless and easily flowing description, either in poetry or prose, of simple, rustic life, of pastoral scenes, and the like. [Written also idyll.]

Wordsworth's solemn-thoughted idyl.
Mrs. Browning.

His [Goldsmith's] lovely idyl of the Vicar's home.
F. Harrison.

I*dyl"lic (?), a. Of or belonging to idyls.

I. e. Abbreviation of Latin id est, that is.

If (?), conj. [OE. if, gif, AS. gif; akin to OFries. ief, gef, ef, OS. ef, of, D. of, or, whether, if, G. ob whether, if, OHG. oba, ibu, Icel. ef, Goth. iba, ibai, an interrogative particle; properly a case form of a noun meaning, doubt (cf. OHG. iba doubt, condition, Icel. if, ef, ifi, efi), and therefore orig. meaning, on condition that.] 1. In case that; granting, allowing, or supposing that; -- introducing a condition or supposition.

Tisiphone, that oft hast heard my prayer,
Assist, if Œdipus deserve thy care.
Pope.

If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
Matt. iv. 3.

2. Whether; -- in dependent questions.

Uncertain if by augury or chance.
Dryden.

She doubts if two and two make four.
Prior.

As if, But if. See under As, But.

I' faith" (?). In faith; indeed; truly. Shak.

I*fere" (?), a. [Corrupted fr. in fere.] Together. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Ig`a*su"ric (?), a. [See Igasurine.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or obtained from, nux vomica or St. Ignatius's bean; as, igasuric acid.

Ig`a*su"rine (?), n. [Malay igasura the nux vomica.] (Chem.) An alkaloid found in nux vomica, and extracted as a white crystalline substance.

Ig"loo (?), n. 1. An Eskimo snow house.

2. (Zoöl.) A cavity, or excavation, made in the snow by a seal, over its breathing hole in the ice.

Ig*na"tius bean` (?). (Bot.) See Saint Ignatius's bean, under Saint.

Ig"ne*ous (?), a. [L. igneus, fr. ignis fire; allied to Skr. agni, Lith. ugnis, OSlav. ogne.] 1. Pertaining to, having the nature of, fire; containing fire; resembling fire; as, an igneous appearance.

2. (Geol.) Resulting from, or produced by, the action of fire; as, lavas and basalt are igneous rocks.

Ig*nes"cent (?), a. [L. ignescens, p. pr. of ignescere to become inflamed, fr. ignis fire: cf. F. ignescent.] Emitting sparks of fire when struck with steel; scintillating; as, ignescent stones.

Ig*nic"o*list (?), n. [L. ignis fire + colere to worship.] A worshiper of fire. [R.]

Ig*nif"er*ous (?), a. [L. ignifer; ignis fire + ferre to bear.] Producing fire. [R.] Blount.

Ig*nif"lu*ous (?), a. [L. ignifluus; ignis fire + fluere to flow.] Flowing with fire. [Obs.] Cockerman.

Ig"ni*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ignified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Ignifying (?).] [L. ignis fire + -fy.] To form into fire. [R.] Stukeley.

Ig*nig"e*nous (?), a. [L. ignigenus; ignis fire + genere, ginere, to beget, produce.] Produced by the action of fire, as lava. [R.]

Ig*nip"o*tence (?), n. Power over fire. [R.]

Ig*nip"o*tent (?), a. [L. ignipotens; ignis fire + potens powerful.] Presiding over fire; also, fiery.

Vulcan is called the powerful ignipotent.
Pope.

||Ig"nis fat"u*us (?); pl. Ignes fatui (#). [L. ignis fire + fatuus foolish. So called in allusion to its tendency to mislead travelers.] 1. A phosphorescent light that appears, in the night, over marshy ground, supposed to be occasioned by the decomposition of animal or vegetable substances, or by some inflammable gas; -- popularly called also Will-with-the-wisp, or Will-o'-the-wisp, and Jack-with-a-lantern, or Jack-o'-lantern.

2. Fig.: A misleading influence; a decoy.

Scared and guided by the ignis fatuus of popular superstition.
Jer. Taylor.

Ig*nite" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ignited (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Igniting.] [L. ignitus, p. p. of ignire to ignite, fr. ignis fire. See Igneous.] 1. To kindle or set on fire; as, to ignite paper or wood.

2. (Chem.) To subject to the action of intense heat; to heat strongly; -- often said of incombustible or infusible substances; as, to ignite iron or platinum.

Ig*nite", v. i. To take fire; to begin to burn.

Ig*nit"i*ble (?), a. Capable of being ignited.

Ig*ni"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. ignition.] 1. The act of igniting, kindling, or setting on fire.

2. The state of being ignited or kindled. Sir T. Browne.

Ig*nit"or (?), n. One who, or that which, produces ignition; especially, a contrivance for igniting the powder in a torpedo or the like. [Written also igniter.]

Ig*niv"o*mous (?), a. [L. ignivomus; ignis fire + vomere 8vomit.] Vomiting fire. [R.]

Ig`no*bil"i*ty (?), n. [L. ignobilitas: cf. F. ignobilité.] Ignobleness. [Obs.] Bale.

Ig*no"ble (?), a. [L. ignobilis; pref. in- not + nobilis noble: cf. F. ignoble. See In- not, and Noble, a.] 1. Of low birth or family; not noble; not illustrious; plebeian; common; humble.

I was not ignoble of descent.
Shak.

Her royal stock graft with ignoble plants.
Shak.

2. Not honorable, elevated, or generous; base.

'T is but a base, ignoble mind,
That mounts no higher than a bird can soar.
Shak.

Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife.
Gray.

3. (Zoöl.) Not a true or noble falcon; -- said of certain hawks, as the goshawk.

Syn. -- Degenerate; degraded; mean; base; dishonorable; reproachful; disgraceful; shameful; scandalous; infamous.

Ig*no"ble, v. t. To make ignoble. [Obs.] Bacon.

Ig*no"ble*ness, n. State or quality of being ignoble.

Ig*no"bly, adv. In an ignoble manner; basely.

Ig`no*min"i*ous (?), a. [L. ignominiosus: cf. F. ignominieux.] 1. Marked with ignominy; incurring public disgrace; dishonorable; shameful.

Then first with fear surprised and sense of pain,
Fled ignominious.
Milton.

2. Deserving ignominy; despicable.

One single, obscure, ignominious projector.
Swift.

3. Humiliating; degrading; as, an ignominious judgment or sentence. Macaulay.

Ig`no*min"i*ous*ly, adv. In an ignominious manner; disgracefully; shamefully; ingloriously.

Ig"no*min*y (?), n.; pl. Ignominies (#). [L. ignominia ignominy (i.e., a deprivation of one's good name); in- not + nomen name: cf. F. ignominie. See In- not, and Name.] 1. Public disgrace or dishonor; reproach; infamy.

Their generals have been received with honor after their defeat; yours with ignominy after conquest.
Addison.

Vice begins in mistake, and ends in ignominy.
Rambler.

Ignominy is the infliction of such evil as is made dishonorable, or the deprivation of such good as is made honorable by the Commonwealth.
Hobbes.

2. An act deserving disgrace; an infamous act.

Syn. -- Opprobrium; reproach; dishonor.

Ig"no*my (?), n. Ignominy. [R. & Obs.]

I blush to think upon this ignomy.
Shak.

Ig`no*ra"mus (?), n. [L., we are ignorant. See Ignore.] 1. (Law) We are ignorant; we ignore; -- being the word formerly written on a bill of indictment by a grand jury when there was not sufficient evidence to warrant them in finding it a true bill. The phrase now used is, "No bill," "No true bill," or "Not found," though in some jurisdictions "Ignored" is still used. Wharton (Law Dict. ). Burn.

2. (pl. Ignoramuses (&?;).) A stupid, ignorant person; a vain pretender to knowledge; a dunce.

An ignoramus in place and power.
South.

Ig"no*rance (?), n. [F., fr. L. ignorantia.] 1. The condition of being ignorant; the want of knowledge in general, or in relation to a particular subject; the state of being uneducated or uninformed.

Ignorance is the curse of God,
Knowledge the wing wherewith we fly to heaven.
Shak.

2. (Theol.) A willful neglect or refusal to acquire knowledge which one may acquire and it is his duty to have. Book of Common Prayer.

Invincible ignorance (Theol.), ignorance beyond the individual's control and for which, therefore, he is not responsible before God.

Ig"no*rant (?), a. [F., fr. L. ignorans, -antis, p. pr. of ignorare to be ignorant. See Ignore.] 1. Destitute of knowledge; uninstructed or uninformed; untaught; unenlightened.

He that doth not know those things which are of use for him to know, is but an ignorant man, whatever he may know besides.
Tillotson.

2. Unacquainted with; unconscious or unaware; -- used with of.

Ignorant of guilt, I fear not shame.
Dryden.

3. Unknown; undiscovered. [Obs.]

Ignorant concealment.
Shak.

Alas, what ignorant sin have I committed?
Shak.

4. Resulting from ignorance; foolish; silly.

His shipping,
Poor ignorant baubles! -- on our terrible seas,
Like eggshells moved.
Shak.

Syn. -- Uninstructed; untaught; unenlightened; uninformed; unlearned; unlettered; illiterate. -- Ignorant, Illiterate. Ignorant denotes want of knowledge, either as to single subject or information in general; illiterate refers to an ignorance of letters, or of knowledge acquired by reading and study. In the Middle Ages, a great proportion of the higher classes were illiterate, and yet were far from being ignorant, especially in regard to war and other active pursuits.

In such business
Action is eloquence, and the eyes of the ignorant
More learned than the ears.
Shak.

In the first ages of Christianity, not only the learned and the wise, but the ignorant and illiterate, embraced torments and death.
Tillotson.

Ig"no*rant, n. A person untaught or uninformed; one unlettered or unskilled; an ignoramous.

Did I for this take pains to teach
Our zealous ignorants to preach?
Denham.

Ig"no*rant*ism (?), n. The spirit of those who extol the advantage of ignorance; obscurantism.

Ig"no*rant*ist, n. One opposed to the diffusion of knowledge; an obscurantist.

Ig"no*rant*ly, adv. In a ignorant manner; without knowledge; inadvertently.

Whom therefoer ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
Acts xvii. 23.

Ig*nore" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ignored (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Ignoring.] [L. ignorare; pref. in- not + the root of gnarus knowing, noscere to become acquainted with. See Know, and cf. Narrate.] 1. To be ignorant of or not acquainted with. [Archaic]

Philosophy would solidly be established, if men would more carefully distinguish those things that they know from those that they ignore.
Boyle.

2. (Law) To throw out or reject as false or ungrounded; -- said of a bill rejected by a grand jury for want of evidence. See Ignoramus.

3. Hence: To refuse to take notice of; to shut the eyes to; not to recognize; to disregard willfully and causelessly; as, to ignore certain facts; to ignore the presence of an objectionable person.

Ignoring Italy under our feet,
And seeing things before, behind.
Mrs. Browning.

Ig*nos"ci*ble (?), a. [L. ignoscibilis, fr. ignoscere to pardon, lit., not to wish to know; pref. in- not + gnoscere, noscere, to learn to know. See In- not, and Know.] Pardonable. [Obs.] Bailey.

Ig*note" (?), a. [L. ignotus; pref. in- not + gnotus, notus, known, p. p. of gnocere, nocere, to learn to know.] Unknown. [Obs.] Sir E. Sandys. -- n. One who is unknown. Bp. Hacket.

I*gua"na (?), n. [Sp. iguana, from the native name in Hayti. Cf. Guana.] (Zoöl.) Any species of the genus Iguana, a genus of large American lizards of the family Iguanidæ. They are arboreal in their habits, usually green in color, and feed chiefly upon fruits.

&fist; The common iguana (Iguana iguana, formerly Iguana tuberculata, and also called by other synonyms@) of the West Indies and South America is sometimes five feet long. Its flesh is highly prized as food. The horned iguana (Iguana cornuta) has a conical horn between the eyes.

I*gua"ni*an (?), a. (Zoöl.) Resembling, or pertaining to, the iguana.

I*gua"nid (?), a. (Zoöl.) Same as Iguanoid.

I*gua"no*don (?), n. [Iguana + Gr. &?;, &?;, a tooth.] (Paleon.) A genus of gigantic herbivorous dinosaurs having a birdlike pelvis and large hind legs with three-toed feet capable of supporting the entire body. Its teeth resemble those of the iguana, whence its name. Several species are known, mostly from the Wealden of England and Europe. See Illustration in Appendix.

I*gua"no*dont (?), a. (Paleon.) Like or pertaining to the genus Iguanodon.

I*gua"noid (?), a. [Iguana + -oid.] (Zoöl.) Pertaining to the Iguanidæ.

Ih*lang`-ih*lang" (?), n. [Malayan, flower of flowers.] A rich, powerful, perfume, obtained from the volatile oil of the flowers of Canada odorata, an East Indian tree. [Also written ylang-ylang.]

||Ih*ram" (?), n. The peculiar dress worn by pilgrims to Mecca.

Ik (?), pron. [See I.] I. [Obs.] Piers Plowman.

&fist; The Northern dialectic form of I, in Early English, corresponding to ich of the Southern.

Il- (?). A form of the prefix in-, not, and in-, among. See In-.

Ile (?), n. [AS. egl.] Ear of corn. [Obs.] Ainsworth.

Ile, n. [See Aisle.] An aisle. [Obs.] H. Swinburne.

Ile, n. [See Isle.] An isle. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Il"e*ac (?), a. [See Ileum.] 1. (Anat.) Pertaining to the ileum. [Written also iliac.]

2. See Iliac, 1. [R.]

Ileac passion. (Med.) See Ileus.

Il`e*o*cæ"cal (?), a. [Ileum + cæcal.] (Anat.) Pertaining to the ileum and cæcum.

Il`e*o*col"ic (?), a. (Anat.) Pertaining to the ileum and colon; as, the ileocolic, or ileocæcal, valve, a valve where the ileum opens into the large intestine.

||Il"e*um (?), n. [L. ile, ileum, ilium, pl. ilia, groin, flank.] 1. (Anat.) The last, and usually the longest, division of the small intestine; the part between the jejunum and large intestine. [Written also ileon, and ilium.]

2. (Anat.) See Ilium. [R.]

&fist; Most modern writers restrict ileum to the division of the intestine and ilium to the pelvic bone.

||Il"e*us (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, &?;, fr. &?; to roll up.] (Med.) A morbid condition due to intestinal obstruction. It is characterized by complete constipation, with griping pains in the abdomen, which is greatly distended, and in the later stages by vomiting of fecal matter. Called also ileac, or iliac, passion.

||I"lex (?), n. [L., holm oak.] (Bot.) (a) The holm oak (Quercus Ilex). (b) A genus of evergreen trees and shrubs, including the common holly.

Il"i*ac (?), a. [L. Iliacus, Gr. &?;. See Iliad.] Pertaining to ancient Ilium, or Troy. Gladstone.

Il"i*ac, a. [Cf. F. iliaque. See Ileum, and cf. Jade a stone.] 1. (Anat.) Pertaining to, or in the region of, the ilium, or dorsal bone of the pelvis; as, the iliac artery. [Written also ileac.]

2. See Ileac, 1. [R.]

Iliac crest, the upper margin of the ilium. -- Iliac passion. See Ileus. -- Iliac region, a region of the abdomen, on either side of the hypogastric regions, and below the lumbar regions.

I*li"a*cal (?), a. Iliac. [R.]

Il"i*ad (?), n. [L. Ilias, - adis, Gr. &?;, &?; (sc. &?;), fr. &?;, &?;, Ilium, the city of Ilus, a son of Tros, founder of Ilium, which is a poetical name of Troy.] A celebrated Greek epic poem, in twenty-four books, on the destruction of Ilium, the ancient Troy. The Iliad is ascribed to Homer.

Il"i*al (?), a. (Anat.) Pertaining to the ilium; iliac.

I*liche" (?), adv. [OE., fr. AS. gelīc. Cf. Alike.] Alike. [Obs.] Chaucer.

I*lic"ic (?), a. [L. ilex, ilicis, holm oak.] Pertaining to, or derived from, the holly (Ilex), and allied plants; as, ilicic acid.

Il"i*cin (?), n. (Chem.) The bitter principle of the holly.

Il"i*o- (?). [From Ilium.] A combining form used in anatomy to denote connection with, or relation to, the ilium; as, ilio-femoral, ilio- lumbar, ilio-psoas, etc.

Il`i*o*fem"o*ral (?), a. (Anat.) Pertaining to the ilium and femur; as, iliofemoral ligaments.

Il`i*o*lum"bar (?), a. (Anat.) Pertaining to the iliac and lumbar regions; as, the iliolumbar artery.

Il`i*o*pso"as (?), n. (Anat.) The great flexor muscle of the hip joint, divisible into two parts, the iliac and great psoas, -- often regarded as distinct muscles.

||Il"i*um (?), n. [See Ileum.] (Anat.) The dorsal one of the three principal bones comprising either lateral half of the pelvis; the dorsal or upper part of the hip bone. See Innominate bone, under Innominate. [Written also ilion, and ileum.]

Il`ix*an"thin (?), n. [Ilex the genus including the holly + Gr. &?; yellow.] (Chem.) A yellow dye obtained from the leaves of the holly.

Ilk (?), a. [Scot. ilk, OE. ilke the same, AS. ilca. Cf. Each.] Same; each; every. [Archaic] Spenser.

Of that ilk, denoting that a person's surname and the title of his estate are the same; as, Grant of that ilk, i.e., Grant of Grant. Jamieson.

Il"ke (?), a. [See Ilk.] Same. [Obs.] Chaucer.

{ Il*kon", Il*koon" (?) }, pron. [See Ilk, and One.] Each one; every one. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Ill (?), a. [The regular comparative and superlative are wanting, their places being supplied by worse (&?;) and worst (&?;), from another root.] [OE. ill, ille, Icel. illr; akin to Sw. illa, adv., Dan. ilde, adv.] 1. Contrary to good, in a physical sense; contrary or opposed to advantage, happiness, etc.; bad; evil; unfortunate; disagreeable; unfavorable.

Neither is it ill air only that maketh an ill seat, but ill ways, ill markets, and ill neighbors.
Bacon.

There 's some ill planet reigns.
Shak.

2. Contrary to good, in a moral sense; evil; wicked; wrong; iniquitious; naughtly; bad; improper.

Of his own body he was ill, and gave
The clergy ill example.
Shak.

3. Sick; indisposed; unwell; diseased; disordered; as, ill of a fever.

I am in health, I breathe, and see thee ill.
Shak.

4. Not according with rule, fitness, or propriety; incorrect; rude; unpolished; inelegant.

That 's an ill phrase.
Shak.

Ill at ease, uneasy; uncomfortable; anxious. "I am very ill at ease." Shak. -- Ill blood, enmity; resentment. -- Ill breeding, want of good breeding; rudeness. -- Ill fame, ill or bad repute; as, a house of ill fame, a house where lewd persons meet for illicit intercourse. -- Ill humor, a disagreeable mood; bad temper. -- Ill nature, bad disposition or temperament; sullenness; esp., a disposition to cause unhappiness to others. -- Ill temper, anger; moroseness; crossness. -- Ill turn. (a) An unkind act. (b) A slight attack of illness. [Colloq. U.S.] -- Ill will, unkindness; enmity; malevolence.

Syn. -- Bad; evil; wrong; wicked; sick; unwell.

Ill (?), n. 1. Whatever annoys or impairs happiness, or prevents success; evil of any kind; misfortune; calamity; disease; pain; as, the ills of humanity.

Who can all sense of others' ills escape
Is but a brute at best in human shape.
Tate.

That makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of.
Shak.

2. Whatever is contrary to good, in a moral sense; wickedness; depravity; iniquity; wrong; evil.

Strong virtue, like strong nature, struggles still,
Exerts itself, and then throws off the ill.
Dryden.

Ill, adv. In a ill manner; badly; weakly.

How ill this taper burns!
Shak.

Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey,
Where wealth accumulates and men decay.
Goldsmith.

&fist; Ill, like above, well, and so, is used before many participal adjectives, in its usual adverbal sense. When the two words are used as an epithet preceding the noun qualified they are commonly hyphened; in other cases they are written separatively; as, an ill-educated man; he was ill educated; an ill-formed plan; the plan, however ill formed, was acceptable. Ao, also, the following: ill-affected or ill affected, ill-arranged or ill arranged, ill-assorted or ill assorted, ill-boding or ill boding, ill-bred or ill bred, ill- conditioned, ill-conducted, ill-considered, ill- devised, ill-disposed, ill-doing, ill-fairing, ill-fated, ill-favored, ill-featured, ill-formed, ill-gotten, ill-imagined, ill-judged, ill-looking, ill-mannered, ill-matched, ill-meaning, ill-minded, ill-natured, ill-omened, ill-proportioned, ill-provided, ill-required, ill-sorted, ill-starred, ill-tempered, ill-timed, ill-trained, ill-used, and the like.

I' ll (?). Contraction for I will or I shall.

I'll by a sign give notice to our friends.
Shak.

Il*lab"ile (?), a. Incapable of falling or erring; infalliable. [Obs.] -- Il`la*bil"i*ty (#), n. [Obs.]

Il*lac"er*a*ble (?), a. [L. illacerabilis: cf. F. illacérable. See In- not, and Lacerable.] Not lacerable; incapable of being torn or rent. [Obs.]

Il*lac"ry*ma*ble (?), a. [L. illacrimabilis; pref. il- not + lacrimabilis worthy of tears.] Incapable of weeping. [Obs.] Bailey.

Il*laps"a*ble (?), a. [Pref. il- not + lapsable.] Incapable of slipping, or of error. [R.]

Morally immutable and illapsable.
Glanvill.

Il*lapse" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Illapsed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Illapsing.] [L. illapsus, p. p. of illabi; pref. il- in + labi to fall, slide.] To fall or glide; to pass; -- usually followed by into. Cheyne.

Il*lapse", n. [L. illapsus. See Illapse, v. i.] A gliding in; an immisson or entrance of one thing into another; also, a sudden descent or attack. Akenside.

They sit silent . . . waiting for an illapse of the spirit.
Jeffrey.

Il*la"que*a*ble (?), a. Capable of being insnared or entrapped. [R.] Cudworth.

Il*la"que*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Illaqueated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Illaqueating.] [L. illaqueatus, p. p. of illaqueare; pref. il- in + laqueare to insnare, fr. laqueus, noose, snare.] To insnare; to entrap; to entangle; to catch.

Let not the surpassing eloquence of Taylor dazzle you, nor his scholastic retiary versatility of logic illaqueate your good sense.
Coleridge.

Il*la`que*a"tion (?), n. 1. The act of catching or insnaring. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

2. A snare; a trap. Johnson.

Il*la"tion (?), n. [L. illatio, fr. illatus, used as p. p. of inferre to carry or bring in, but from a different root: cf. F. illation. See 1st In- , and Tolerate, and cf. Infer.] The act or process of inferring from premises or reasons; perception of the connection between ideas; that which is inferred; inference; deduction; conclusion.

Fraudulent deductions or inconsequent illations from a false conception of things.
Sir T. Browne.

Il"la*tive (?), a. [L. illativus: cf. F. illatif.] Relating to, dependent on, or denoting, illation; inferential; conclusive; as, an illative consequence or proposition; an illative word, as then, therefore, etc.

Illative conversion (Logic), a converse or reverse statement of a proposition which in that form must be true because the original proposition is true. -- Illative sense (Metaph.), the faculty of the mind by which it apprehends the conditions and determines upon the correctness of inferences.

Il"la*tive, n. An illative particle, as for, because.

Il"la*tive*ly, adv. By inference; as an illative; in an illative manner.

Il*laud"a*ble (?), a. [L. illaudabilis. See In- not, and Laudable.] Not laudable; not praise-worthy; worthy of censure or disapprobation. Milton.

-- Il*laud"a*bly, adv. [Obs.] Broome.

Ill`-bod"ing (?), a. Boding evil; inauspicious; ill-omened. "Ill-boding stars." Shak.

Ill"-bred` (?), a. Badly educated or brought up; impolite; incivil; rude. See Note under Ill, adv.

Il*lec`e*bra"tion (?), n. [See Illecebrous.] Allurement. [R.] T. Brown.

Il*lec"e*brous (?), a. [L. illecebrosus, fr. illecebra allurement, fr. illicere to allure.] Alluring; attractive; enticing. [Obs.] Sir T. Elyot.

Il*le"gal (?), a. [Pref. il- not + legal: cf. F. illégal.] Not according to, or authorized by, law; specif., contrary to, or in violation of, human law; unlawful; illicit; hence, immoral; as, an illegal act; illegal trade; illegal love. Bp. Burnet.

Il`le*gal"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Illegalities (#). [Cf. F. illégalité.] The quality or condition of being illegal; unlawfulness; as, the illegality of trespass or of false imprisonment; also, an illegal act.

Il*le"gal*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Illegalized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Illegalizing (?).] To make or declare illegal or unlawful.

Il*le"gal*ly, adv. In a illegal manner; unlawfully.

Il*le"gal*ness, n. Illegality, unlawfulness.

Il*leg`i*bil"i*ty (?), n. The state or quality of being illegible.

Il*leg"i*ble (?), a. Incapable of being read; not legible; as, illegible handwriting; an illegible inscription. -- Il*leg"i*ble*ness, n. -- Il*leg"i*bly, adv.

Il`le*git"i*ma*cy (?), n. The state of being illegitimate. Blackstone.

Il`le*git"i*mate (?), a. 1. Not according to law; not regular or authorized; unlawful; improper.

2. Unlawfully begotten; born out of wedlock; bastard; as, an illegitimate child.

3. Not legitimately deduced or inferred; illogical; as, an illegitimate inference.

4. Not authorized by good usage; not genuine; spurious; as, an illegitimate word.

Illegitimate fertilization, or Illegitimate union (Bot.), the fertilization of pistils by stamens not of their own length, in heterogonously dimorphic and trimorphic flowers. Darwin.

Il`le*git"i*mate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Illegitimated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Illegitimating.] To render illegitimate; to declare or prove to be born out of wedlock; to bastardize; to illegitimatize.

The marriage should only be dissolved for the future, without illegitimating the issue.
Bp. Burnet.

Il`le*git"i*mate*ly (?), adv. In a illegitimate manner; unlawfully.

Il`le*git`i*ma"tion (?), n. 1. The act of illegitimating; bastardizing.

2. The state of being illegitimate; illegitimacy. [Obs.]

Gardiner had performed his promise to the queen of getting her illegitimation taken off.
Bp. Burnet.

Il`le*git"i*ma*tize (?), v. t. To render illegitimate; to bastardize.

Il*le"sive (?), a. [Pref. il- not + L. laedere, laesum, to injure.] Not injurious; harmless. [R.]

Il*lev"i*a*ble (?), a. Not leviable; incapable of being imposed, or collected. [R.] Sir M. Hale.

Ill`-fa"vored (?), a. Wanting beauty or attractiveness; deformed; ugly; ill-looking.

Ill-favored and lean-fleshed.
Gen. xli. 3.

-- Ill`-fa"vored*ly, adv. -- Ill`- fa"vored*ness, n.

Il*lib"er*al (?), a. [L. illiberalis; pref. il- not + liberalis liberal: cf. F. illibéral.] 1. Not liberal; not free or generous; close; niggardly; mean; sordid. "A thrifty and illiberal hand." Mason.

2. Indicating a lack of breeding, culture, and the like; ignoble; rude; narrow-minded; disingenuous.

3. Not well authorized or elegant; as, illiberal words in Latin. [R.] Chesterfield.

Il*lib"er*al*ism (?), n. Illiberality. [R.]

Il*lib`er*al"i*ty (?), n. [L. illiberalitas: cf. F. illibéralité.] The state or quality of being illiberal; narrowness of mind; meanness; niggardliness. Bacon.

Il*lib"er*al*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Illiberalized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Illiberalizing (?).] To make illiberal.

Il*lib"er*al*ly, adv. In a illiberal manner, ungenerously; uncharitably; parsimoniously.

Il*lib"er*al*ness, n. The state of being illiberal; illiberality.

Il*lic"it (?), a. [L. illicitus; pref. il- not + licitus, p. p. of licere to be allowed or permitted: cf. F. illicite. See In- not, and License.] Not permitted or allowed; prohibited; unlawful; as, illicit trade; illicit intercourse; illicit pleasure.

One illicit . . . transaction always leads to another.
Burke.

-- Il*lic"it*ly, adv. -- Il*lic"it*ness, n.

Il*lic"it*ous (?), a. Illicit. [R.] Cotgrave.

||Il*li"ci*um (?), n. [So called, in allusion to its aroma, from L. illicium an allurement.] (Bot.) A genus of Asiatic and American magnoliaceous trees, having star-shaped fruit; star anise. The fruit of Illicium anisatum is used as a spice in India, and its oil is largely used in Europe for flavoring cordials, being almost identical with true oil of anise.

Il*light"en (?), v. t. To enlighten. [Obs.]

Il*lim"it*a*ble (?), a. [Pref. il- not + limitable: cf. F. illimitable.] Incapable of being limited or bounded; immeasurable; limitless; boundless; as, illimitable space.

The wild, the irregular, the illimitable, and the luxuriant, have their appropriate force of beauty.
De Quincey.

Syn. -- Boundless; limitless; unlimited; unbounded; immeasurable; infinite; immense; vast.

-- Il*lim"it*a*ble*ness, n. -- Il*lim"it*a*bly, adv.

Il*lim`it*a"tion (?), n. [Pref. il- not + limitation: cf. F. illimitation.] State of being illimitable; want of, or freedom from, limitation. Bp. Hall.

Il*lim"it*ed (?), a. Not limited; interminable. Bp. Hall. -- Il*lim"it*ed*ness, n.

The absoluteness and illimitedness of his commission was generally much spoken of.
Clarendon.

Il`li*ni"tion (?), n. [L. illinire, illinere, to besmear; pref. il- in, on + linire, linere, to smear.] 1. A smearing or rubbing in or on; also, that which is smeared or rubbed on, as ointment or liniment.

2. A thin crust of some extraneous substance formed on minerals. [R.]

A thin crust or illinition of black manganese.
Kirwan.

Il`li*nois" (?), n.sing. & pl. (Ethnol.) A tribe of North American Indians, which formerly occupied the region between the Wabash and Mississippi rivers.

Il`li*qua"tion (?), n. [Pref. il- in + L. liquare to melt.] The melting or dissolving of one thing into another.

Ill"ish (?), a. Somewhat ill. [Obs.] Howell.

Il*li"sion (?), n. [L. illisio, fr. illidere, illisum, to strike against; pref. il- in + laedere to strike.] The act of dashing or striking against. Sir T. Browne.

Il*lit"er*a*cy (?), n.; pl. Illiteracies (#). [From Illiterate.] 1. The state of being illiterate, or uneducated; want of learning, or knowledge; ignorance; specifically, inability to read and write; as, the illiteracy shown by the last census.

2. An instance of ignorance; a literary blunder.

The many blunders and illiteracies of the first publishers of his [Shakespeare's] works.
Pope.

Il*lit"er*al (?), a. Not literal. [R.] B. Dawson.

Il*lit"er*ate (?), a. [L. illiteratus: pref. il- not + literatus learned. See In- not, and Literal.] Ignorant of letters or books; unlettered; uninstructed; uneducated; as, an illiterate man, or people.

Syn. -- Ignorant; untaught; unlearned; unlettered; unscholary. See Ignorant.

-- Il*lit"er*ate*ly, adv. -- Il*lit"er*ate*ness, n.

Il*lit"er*a*ture (?), n. Want of learning; illiteracy. [R.] Ayliffe. Southey.

Ill"-judged` (?), a. Not well judged; unwise.

Ill"-lived` (?), a. Leading a wicked life. [Obs.]

Ill"-look`ing (?), a. Having a bad look; threatening; ugly. See Note under Ill, adv.

Ill`-man"nered (?), a. Impolite; rude.

Ill"-mind`ed (?), a. Ill- disposed. Byron.

Ill`-na"tured (?), a. 1. Of habitual bad temper; peevish; fractious; cross; crabbed; surly; as, an ill-natured person.

2. Dictated by, or indicating, ill nature; spiteful. "The ill-natured task refuse." Addison.

3. Intractable; not yielding to culture. [R.] "Ill-natured land." J. Philips.

-- Ill`-na"tured*ly, adv. -- Ill`- na"tured*ness, n.

Ill"ness (?), n. [From Ill.] 1. The condition of being ill, evil, or bad; badness; unfavorableness. [Obs.] "The illness of the weather." Locke.

2. Disease; indisposition; malady; disorder of health; sickness; as, a short or a severe illness.

3. Wrong moral conduct; wickedness. Shak.

Syn. -- Malady; disease; indisposition; ailment. -- Illness, Sickness. Within the present century, there has been a tendency in England to use illness in the sense of a continuous disease, disorder of health, or sickness, and to confine sickness more especially to a sense of nausea, or "sickness of the stomach."

Ill"-nur`tured (?), a. Ill- bred. Shak.

Il`lo*cal"i*ty (?), n. Want of locality or place. [R.] Cudworth.

Il*log"ic*al (?), a. Ignorant or negligent of the rules of logic or correct reasoning; as, an illogical disputant; contrary of the rules of logic or sound reasoning; as, an illogical inference. -- Il*log"ic*al*ly, adv. -- Il*log"ic*al*ness, n.

Ill`-o"mened (?), a. Having unlucky omens; inauspicious. See Note under Ill, adv.

Ill"-starred` (?), a. Fated to be unfortunate; unlucky; as, an ill-starred man or day.

Ill`-tem"pered (?), a. 1. Of bad temper; morose; crabbed; sour; peevish; fretful; quarrelsome.

2. Unhealthy; ill-conditioned. [Obs.]

So ill-tempered I am grown, that I am afraid I shall catch cold, while all the world is afraid to melt away.
Pepys.

Ill"-timed` (?), a. Done, attempted, or said, at an unsuitable or unpropitious time.

Ill`treat" (?), v. t. To treat cruelly or improperly; to ill use; to maltreat.

Il*lude" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Illuded; p. pr. & vb. n. Illuding.] [L. illudere, illusum; pref. il- in + ludere to play: cf. OF. illuder. See Ludicrous.] To play upon by artifice; to deceive; to mock; to excite and disappoint the hopes of.

Il*lume" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Illumed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Illuming.] [Cf. F. illuminer. See Illuminate.] To throw or spread light upon; to make light or bright; to illuminate; to illumine. Shak.

The mountain's brow,
Illumed with fluid gold.
Thomson.

Il*lu"mi*na*ble (?), a. Capable of being illuminated.

Il*lu"mi*nant (?), n. [L. illuminans, -antis, p. pr. of illuminare.] That which illuminates or affords light; as, gas and petroleum are illuminants. Boyle.

Il*lu"mi*na*ry (?), a. Illuminative.

Il*lu"mi*nate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Illuminated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Illuminating (?).] [L. illuminatus, p. p. of illuminare; pref. il- in + luminare to enlighten, fr. lumen light. See Luminous, and cf. Illume, Illumine, Enlimn, Limn.] 1. To make light; to throw light on; to supply with light, literally or figuratively; to brighten.

2. To light up; to decorate with artificial lights, as a building or city, in token of rejoicing or respect.

3. To adorn, as a book or page with borders, initial letters, or miniature pictures in colors and gold, as was done in manuscripts of the Middle Ages.

4. To make plain or clear; to dispel the obscurity to by knowledge or reason; to explain; to elucidate; as, to illuminate a text, a problem, or a duty.

Il*lu"mi*nate (?), v. i. To light up in token or rejoicing.

Il*lu"mi*nate (?), a. [L. illuminatus, p. p.] Enlightened. Bp. Hall.

Il*lu"mi*nate, n. One who is enlightened; esp., a pretender to extraordinary light and knowledge.

||Il*lu`mi*na"ti (?), n. pl. [L. illuminatus. See Illuminate, v. t., and cf. Illuminee.] Literally, those who are enlightened; -- variously applied as follows: --

1. (Eccl.) Persons in the early church who had received baptism; in which ceremony a lighted taper was given them, as a symbol of the spiritual illumination they has received by that sacrament.

2. (Eccl. Hist.) Members of a sect which sprung up in Spain about the year 1575. Their principal doctrine was, that, by means of prayer, they had attained to so perfect a state as to have no need of ordinances, sacraments, good works, etc.; -- called also Alumbrados, Perfectibilists, etc.

3. (Mod. Hist.) Members of certain associations in Modern Europe, who combined to promote social reforms, by which they expected to raise men and society to perfection, esp. of one originated in 1776 by Adam Weishaupt, professor of canon law at Ingolstadt, which spread rapidly for a time, but ceased after a few years.

4. Also applied to: (a) An obscure sect of French Familists; (b) The Hesychasts, Mystics, and Quietists; (c) The Rosicrucians.

5. Any persons who profess special spiritual or intellectual enlightenment.

Il*lu"mi*na`ting (?), a. Giving or producing light; used for illumination.

Illuminating gas. See Gas, n., 2 (a).

Il*lu`mi*na"tion (?), n. [L. illuminatio: cf. F. illumination.] 1. The act of illuminating, or supplying with light; the state of being illuminated.

2. Festive decoration of houses or buildings with lights.

3. Adornment of books and manuscripts with colored illustrations. See Illuminate, v. t., 3.

4. That which is illuminated, as a house; also, an ornamented book or manuscript.

5. That which illuminates or gives light; brightness; splendor; especially, intellectual light or knowledge.

The illumination which a bright genius giveth to his work.
Felton.

6. (Theol.) The special communication of knowledge to the mind by God; inspiration.

Hymns and psalms . . . are framed by meditation beforehand, or by prophetical illumination are inspired.
Hooker.

Il*lu"mi*na*tism (?), n. Illuminism. [R.]

Il*lu"mi*na*tive (?), a. [Cf. F. illuminatif.] Tending to illuminate or illustrate; throwing light; illustrative. "Illuminative reading." Carlyle.

Il*lu"mi*na`tor (?), n. [L., an enlightener, LL. also, an illuminator of books.] 1. One whose occupation is to adorn books, especially manuscripts, with miniatures, borders, etc. See Illuminate, v. t., 3.

2. A condenser or reflector of light in optical apparatus; also, an illuminant.

Il*lu"mine (?), v. t. [Cf. F. illuminer. See Illuminate.] To illuminate; to light up; to adorn.

Il*lu`mi*nee" (?), n. [F. illuminé. Cf. Illuminati.] One of the Illuminati.

Il*lu"mi*ner (?), n. One who, or that which, illuminates.

Il*lu"mi*nism (?), n. [Cf. F. illuminisme.] The principles of the Illuminati.

Il*lu`mi*nis"tic (?), a. Of or pertaining to illuminism, or the Illuminati.

Il*lu"mi*nize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Illuminized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Illuminizing (?).] To initiate the doctrines or principles of the Illuminati.

Il*lu"mi*nous (?), a. Bright; clear. [R.] H. Taylor.

Il*lure" (?), v. t. [Pref. il- in + lure.] To deceive; to entice; to lure. [Obs.]

The devil insnareth the souls of many men, by illuring them with the muck and dung of this world.
Fuller.

Ill`-used" (?), a. Misapplied; treated badly.

Il*lu"sion (?), n. [F. illusion, L. illusio, fr. illudere, illusum, to illude. See Illude.] 1. An unreal image presented to the bodily or mental vision; a deceptive appearance; a false show; mockery; hallucination.

To cheat the eye with blear illusions.
Milton.

2. Hence: Anything agreeably fascinating and charming; enchantment; witchery; glamour.

Ye soft illusions, dear deceits, arise!
Pope.

3. (Physiol.) A sensation originated by some external object, but so modified as in any way to lead to an erroneous perception; as when the rolling of a wagon is mistaken for thunder.

&fist; Some modern writers distinguish between an illusion and hallucination, regarding the former as originating with some external object, and the latter as having no objective occasion whatever.

4. A plain, delicate lace, usually of silk, used for veils, scarfs, dresses, etc.

Syn. -- Delusion; mockery; deception; chimera; fallacy. See Delusion. Illusion, Delusion. Illusion refers particularly to errors of the sense; delusion to false hopes or deceptions of the mind. An optical deception is an illusion; a false opinion is a delusion. E. Edwards.

Il*lu"sion*a*ble (?), a. Liable to illusion.

Il*lu"sion*ist, n. One given to illusion; a visionary dreamer.

Il*lu"sive (?), a. [See Illude.] Deceiving by false show; deceitful; deceptive; false; illusory; unreal.

Truth from illusive falsehood to command.
Thomson.

Il*lu"sive*ly, adv. In a illusive manner; falsely.

Il*lu"sive*ness, n. The quality of being illusive; deceptiveness; false show.

Il*lu"so*ry (?), a. [Cf. F. illusore.] Deceiving, or tending of deceive; fallacious; illusive; as, illusory promises or hopes.

Il*lus"tra*ble (?), a. Capable of illustration. Sir T. Browne.

Il*lus"trate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Illustrated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Illustrating (?).] [L. illustratus, p. p. of illustrare to illustrate, fr. illustris bright. See Illustrious.] 1. To make clear, bright, or luminous.

Here, when the moon illustrates all the sky.
Chapman.

2. To set in a clear light; to exhibit distinctly or conspicuously. Shak.

To prove him, and illustrate his high worth.
Milton.

3. To make clear, intelligible, or apprehensible; to elucidate, explain, or exemplify, as by means of figures, comparisons, and examples.

4. To adorn with pictures, as a book or a subject; to elucidate with pictures, as a history or a romance.

5. To give renown or honor to; to make illustrious; to glorify. [Obs.]

Matter to me of glory, whom their hate
Illustrates.
Milton.

Il*lus"trate (?), a. [L. illustratus, p. p.] Illustrated; distinguished; illustrious. [Obs.]

This most gallant, illustrate, and learned gentleman.
Shak.

Il`lus*tra"tion (?), n. [L. illustratio: cf. F. illustration.] 1. The act of illustrating; the act of making clear and distinct; education; also, the state of being illustrated, or of being made clear and distinct.

2. That which illustrates; a comparison or example intended to make clear or apprehensible, or to remove obscurity.

3. A picture designed to decorate a volume or elucidate a literary work.

Il*lus"tra*tive (?), a. 1. Tending or designed to illustrate, exemplify, or elucidate.

2. Making illustrious. [Obs.]

Il*lus"tra*tive*ly, adv. By way of illustration or elucidation. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

Il*lus"tra*tor (?), n. [L.] One who illustrates.

Il*lus"tra*to*ry (?), a. Serving to illustrate.

Il*lus"tri*ous (?), a. [L. illustris, prob. for illuxtris; fr. il- in + the root of lucidus bright: cf. F. illustre. See Lucid.] 1. Possessing luster or brightness; brilliant; luminous; splendid.

Quench the light; thine eyes are guides illustrious.
Beau. & Fl.

2. Characterized by greatness, nobleness, etc.; eminent; conspicuous; distinguished.

Illustrious earls, renowened everywhere.
Drayton.

3. Conferring luster or honor; renowned; as, illustrious deeds or titles.

Syn. -- Distinguished; famous; remarkable; brilliant; conspicuous; noted; celebrated; signal; renowened; eminent; exalted; noble; glorious. See Distinguished, Famous.

Il*lus"tri*ous*ly, adv. In a illustrious manner; conspicuously; eminently; famously. Milton.

Il*lus"tri*ous*ness, n. The state or quality of being eminent; greatness; grandeur; glory; fame.

Il*lus"trous (?), a. [Pref. il- not + lustrous.] Without luster. [Obs. & R.]

Il`lu*ta"tion (?), n. [Pref. il- in + L. lutum mud: cf. F. illutation.] The act or operation of smearing the body with mud, especially with the sediment from mineral springs; a mud bath.

Il`lux*u"ri*ous (?), a. Not luxurious. [R.] Orrery.

Ill`-will" (?). See under Ill, a.

Ill`-wish"er (?), n. One who wishes ill to another; an enemy.

Il"ly (?), adv. [A word not fully approved, but sometimes used for the adverb ill.]

Il"men*ite (?), n. [So called from Ilmen, a branch of the Ural Mountains.] (Min.) Titanic iron. See Menaccanite.

Il*me"ni*um (?), n. [NL. See Ilmenite.] (Chem.) A supposed element claimed to have been discovered by R.Harmann.

Il"va*ite (?), n. [From L. Ilva, the island now called Elba.] (Min.) A silicate of iron and lime occurring in black prismatic crystals and columnar masses.

I'm (?). A contraction of I am.

Im- (?). A form of the prefix in- not, and in- in. See In-. Im- also occurs in composition with some words not of Latin origin; as, imbank, imbitter.

Im"age (?), n. [F., fr. L. imago, imaginis, from the root of imitari to imitate. See Imitate, and cf. Imagine.] 1. An imitation, representation, or similitude of any person, thing, or act, sculptured, drawn, painted, or otherwise made perceptible to the sight; a visible presentation; a copy; a likeness; an effigy; a picture; a semblance.

Even like a stony image, cold and numb.
Shak.

Whose is this image and superscription?
Matt. xxii. 20.

This play is the image of a murder done in Vienna.
Shak.

And God created man in his own image.
Gen. i. 27.

2. Hence: The likeness of anything to which worship is paid; an idol. Chaucer.

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, . . . thou shalt not bow down thyself to them.
Ex. xx. 4, 5.

3. Show; appearance; cast.

The face of things a frightful image bears.
Dryden.

4. A representation of anything to the mind; a picture drawn by the fancy; a conception; an idea.

Can we conceive
Image of aught delightful, soft, or great?
Prior.

5. (Rhet.) A picture, example, or illustration, often taken from sensible objects, and used to illustrate a subject; usually, an extended metaphor. Brande & C.

6. (Opt.) The figure or picture of any object formed at the focus of a lens or mirror, by rays of light from the several points of the object symmetrically refracted or reflected to corresponding points in such focus; this may be received on a screen, a photographic plate, or the retina of the eye, and viewed directly by the eye, or with an eyeglass, as in the telescope and microscope; the likeness of an object formed by reflection; as, to see one's image in a mirror.

Electrical image. See under Electrical. -- Image breaker, one who destroys images; an iconoclast. -- Image graver, Image maker, a sculptor. -- Image worship, the worship of images as symbols; iconolatry distinguished from idolatry; the worship of images themselves. -- Image Purkinje (Physics), the image of the retinal blood vessels projected in, not merely on, that membrane. -- Virtual image (Optics), a point or system of points, on one side of a mirror or lens, which, if it existed, would emit the system of rays which actually exists on the other side of the mirror or lens. Clerk Maxwell.

Im"age (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imaged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Imaging (?).] 1. To represent or form an image of; as, the still lake imaged the shore; the mirror imaged her figure. "Shrines of imaged saints." J. Warton.

2. To represent to the mental vision; to form a likeness of by the fancy or recollection; to imagine.

Condemn'd whole years in absence to deplore,
And image charms he must behold no more.
Pope.

Im"age*a*ble (?), a. That may be imaged. [R.]

Im"age*less, a. Having no image. Shelley.

Im"a*ger (?), n. One who images or forms likenesses; a sculptor. [Obs.]

Praxiteles was ennobled for a rare imager.
Holland.

Im"age*ry (&ibreve;m"&asl;j*r&ybreve;; 277), n. [OE. imagerie, F. imagerie.] 1. The work of one who makes images or visible representation of objects; imitation work; images in general, or in mass. "Painted imagery." Shak.

In those oratories might you see
Rich carvings, portraitures, and imagery.
Dryden.

2. Fig.: Unreal show; imitation; appearance.

What can thy imagery of sorrow mean?
Prior.

3. The work of the imagination or fancy; false ideas; imaginary phantasms.

The imagery of a melancholic fancy.
Atterbury.

4. Rhetorical decoration in writing or speaking; vivid descriptions presenting or suggesting images of sensible objects; figures in discourse.

I wish there may be in this poem any instance of good imagery.
Dryden.

Im*ag`i*na*bil"i*ty (?), n. Capacity for imagination. [R.] Coleridge.

Im*ag"i*na*ble (?), a. [L. imaginabilis: cf. F. imaginable.] Capable of being imagined; conceivable.

Men sunk into the greatest darkness imaginable.
Tillotson.

-- Im*ag"i*na*ble*ness, n. -- Im*ag"i*na*bly, adv.

Im*ag"i*nal (?), a. [L. imaginalis.] 1. Characterized by imagination; imaginative; also, given to the use or rhetorical figures or imagins.

2. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to an imago.

Imaginal disks (Zoöl.), masses of hypodermic cells, carried by the larvæ of some insects after leaving the egg, from which masses the wings and legs of the adult are subsequently formed.

Im*ag"i*nant (?), a. [L. imaginans, p. pr. of imaginari: cf. F. imaginant.] Imagining; conceiving. [Obs.] Bacon. -- n. An imaginer. [Obs.] Glanvill.

Im*ag"i*na*ri*ly (?), a. In a imaginary manner; in imagination. B. Jonson.

Im*ag"i*na*ri*ness, n. The state or quality of being imaginary; unreality.

Im*ag"i*na*ry (?), a. [L. imaginarius: cf. F. imaginaire.] Existing only in imagination or fancy; not real; fancied; visionary; ideal.

Wilt thou add to all the griefs I suffer
Imaginary ills and fancied tortures?
Addison.

Imaginary calculus See under Calculus. -- Imaginary expression or quantity (Alg.), an algebraic expression which involves the impossible operation of taking the square root of a negative quantity; as, √-9, a + b √- 1. -- Imaginary points, lines, surfaces, etc. (Geom.), points, lines, surfaces, etc., imagined to exist, although by reason of certain changes of a figure they have in fact ceased to have a real existence.

Syn. -- Ideal; fanciful; chimerical; visionary; fancied; unreal; illusive.

Im*ag"i*na*ry, n. (Alg.) An imaginary expression or quantity.

Im*ag"i*nate (?), a. Imaginative. [Obs.] Holland.

Im*ag`i*na"tion (?), n. [OE. imaginacionum, F. imagination, fr. L. imaginatio. See Imagine.] 1. The imagine-making power of the mind; the power to create or reproduce ideally an object of sense previously perceived; the power to call up mental imagines.

Our simple apprehension of corporeal objects, if present, is sense; if absent, is imagination.
Glanvill.

Imagination is of three kinds: joined with belief of that which is to come; joined with memory of that which is past; and of things present, or as if they were present.
Bacon.

2. The representative power; the power to reconstruct or recombine the materials furnished by direct apprehension; the complex faculty usually termed the plastic or creative power; the fancy.

The imagination of common language -- the productive imagination of philosophers -- is nothing but the representative process plus the process to which I would give the name of the "comparative."
Sir W. Hamilton.

The power of the mind to decompose its conceptions, and to recombine the elements of them at its pleasure, is called its faculty of imagination.
I. Taylor.

The business of conception is to present us with an exact transcript of what we have felt or perceived. But we have moreover a power of modifying our conceptions, by combining the parts of different ones together, so as to form new wholes of our creation. I shall employ the word imagination to express this power.
Stewart.

3. The power to recombine the materials furnished by experience or memory, for the accomplishment of an elevated purpose; the power of conceiving and expressing the ideal.

The lunatic, the lover, and the poet
Are of imagination all compact . . .
The poet's eye, in a fine frenzy rolling,
Doth glance from heaven to earth, from earth to heaven,
And as imagination bodies forth
The forms of things unknown, the poet's pen
Turns them to shapes, and gives to airy nothing
A local habitation and a name.
Shak.

4. A mental image formed by the action of the imagination as a faculty; a conception; a notion. Shak.

Syn. -- Conception; idea; conceit; fancy; device; origination; invention; scheme; design; purpose; contrivance. -- Imagination, Fancy. These words have, to a great extent, been interchanged by our best writers, and considered as strictly synonymous. A distinction, however, is now made between them which more fully exhibits their nature. Properly speaking, they are different exercises of the same general power -- the plastic or creative faculty. Imagination consists in taking parts of our conceptions and combining them into new forms and images more select, more striking, more delightful, more terrible, etc., than those of ordinary nature. It is the higher exercise of the two. It creates by laws more closely connected with the reason; it has strong emotion as its actuating and formative cause; it aims at results of a definite and weighty character. Milton's fiery lake, the debates of his Pandemonium, the exquisite scenes of his Paradise, are all products of the imagination. Fancy moves on a lighter wing; it is governed by laws of association which are more remote, and sometimes arbitrary or capricious. Hence the term fanciful, which exhibits fancy in its wilder flights. It has for its actuating spirit feelings of a lively, gay, and versatile character; it seeks to please by unexpected combinations of thought, startling contrasts, flashes of brilliant imagery, etc. Pope's Rape of the Lock is an exhibition of fancy which has scarcely its equal in the literature of any country. -- "This, for instance, Wordsworth did in respect of the words ‘imagination' and ‘fancy.' Before he wrote, it was, I suppose, obscurely felt by most that in ‘imagination' there was more of the earnest, in ‘fancy' of the play of the spirit; that the first was a loftier faculty and gift than the second; yet for all this words were continually, and not without loss, confounded. He first, in the preface to his Lyrical Ballads, rendered it henceforth impossible that any one, who had read and mastered what he has written on the two words, should remain unconscious any longer of the important difference between them." Trench.

The same power, which we should call fancy if employed on a production of a light nature, would be dignified with the title of imagination if shown on a grander scale.
C. J. Smith.

Im*ag`i*na"tion*al (?), a. Pertaining to, involving, or caused by, imagination.

Im*ag`i*na"tion*al*ism (?), n. Idealism. J. Grote.

Im*ag"i*na*tive (?), a. [F. imaginatif.] 1. Proceeding from, and characterized by, the imagination, generally in the highest sense of the word.

In all the higher departments of imaginative art, nature still constitutes an important element.
Mure.

2. Given to imagining; full of images, fancies, etc.; having a quick imagination; conceptive; creative.

Milton had a highly imaginative, Cowley a very fanciful mind.
Coleridge.

3. Unreasonably suspicious; jealous. [Obs.] Chaucer.

-- Im*ag"i*na*tive*ly, adv. -- Im*ag"i*na*tive*ness, n.

Im*ag"ine (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imagined (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Imagining.] [F. imaginer, L. imaginari, p. p. imaginatus, fr. imago image. See Image.] 1. To form in the mind a notion or idea of; to form a mental image of; to conceive; to produce by the imagination.

In the night, imagining some fear,
How easy is a bush supposed a bear!
Shak.

2. To contrive in purpose; to scheme; to devise; to compass; to purpose. See Compass, v. t., 5.

How long will ye imagine mischief against a man?
Ps. lxii. 3.

3. To represent to one's self; to think; to believe. Shak.

Syn. -- To fancy; conceive; apprehend; think; believe; suppose; opine; deem; plan; scheme; devise.

Im*ag"ine, v. i. 1. To form images or conceptions; to conceive; to devise.

2. To think; to suppose.

My sister is not so defenseless left
As you imagine.
Milton.

Im*ag"in*er (?), n. One who forms ideas or conceptions; one who contrives. Bacon.

Im*ag"in*ous (?), a. Imaginative. [R.] Chapman.

||I*ma"go (?), n.; pl. Imagoes (#). [L. See Image.] 1. An image.

2. (Zoöl.) The final adult, and usually winged, state of an insect. See Illust. of Ant- lion, and Army worm.

{ ||I*mam" (?), ||I*man" (?), ||I*maum" (?), } n. [Ar. imām.] 1. Among the Mohammedans, a minister or priest who performs the regular service of the mosque.

2. A Mohammedan prince who, as a successor of Mohammed, unites in his person supreme spiritual and temporal power.

I*ma"ret (?), n. [Turk., fr. Ar. 'imāra.] A lodging house for Mohammedan pilgrims. Moore.

Im*balm" (?), v. t. See Embalm.

Im*ban" (?), v. t. To put under a ban. [R.] Barlow.

Im*band" (?), v. t. To form into a band or bands. "Imbanded nations." J. Barlow.

Im*bank" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imbanked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Imbanking.] [Pref. im- in + bank. Cf. Embank.] To inclose or defend with a bank or banks. See Embank.

Im*bank"ment (?), n. The act of surrounding with a bank; a bank or mound raised for defense, a roadway, etc.; an embankment. See Embankment.

Im*ban"nered (?), a. Having banners.

Im*bar" (?), v. t. To bar in; to secure. [Obs.]

To imbar their crooked titles.
Shak.

Im*bar"go (?), n. See Embargo.

Im*bark" (?), v. i. & t. See Embark.

Im*barn" (?), v. t. To store in a barn. [Obs.]

Im*base" (?), v. t. See Embase.

Im*base", v. i. To diminish in value. [Obs.] Hales.

Im*bas"tard*ize (?), v. t. To bastardize; to debase. [Obs.] Milton.

Im*bathe" (?), v. t. [Pref. im- in + bathe. Cf. Embathe.] To bathe; to wash freely; to immerse.

And gave her to his daughters to imbathe
In nectared lavers strewed with asphodel.
Milton.

Im*bay" (?), v. t. See Embay.

Im"be*cile (?), a. [L. imbecillis, and imbecillus; of unknown origin: cf. F. imbécile.] Destitute of strength, whether of body or mind; feeble; impotent; esp., mentally wea; feeble-minded; as, hospitals for the imbecile and insane.

Syn. -- Weak; feeble; feeble-minded; idiotic.

Im"be*cile, n. One destitute of strength; esp., one of feeble mind.

Im"be*cile, v. t. To weaken; to make imbecile; as, to imbecile men's courage. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.

Im`be*cil"i*tate (?), v. t. To weaken, as to the body or the mind; to enfeeble. [R.] A. Wilson.

Im`be*cil"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Imbecilities (#). [L. imbecillitas: cf. F. imbécillité.] The quality of being imbecile; weakness; feebleness, esp. of mind.

Cruelty . . . argues not only a depravedness of nature, but also a meanness of courage and imbecility of mind.
Sir W. Temple.

&fist; This term is used specifically to denote natural weakness of the mental faculties, affecting one's power to act reasonably or intelligently.

Syn. -- Debility; infirmity; weakness; feebleness; impotence. See Debility.

Im*bed" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imbedded (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Imbedding.] [Pref. im- in + bed. Cf. Embed.] To sink or lay, as in a bed; to deposit in a partly inclosing mass, as of clay or mortar; to cover, as with earth, sand, etc.

Im*bel"lic (?), a. [L. imbellis; pref. im- = in- not + bellum war; cf. bellicus warlike.] Not warlike or martial. [Obs.] R. Junius.

Im*bench"ing (?), n. [Pref. im- in + bench.] A raised work like a bench. [Obs.] Parkhurst.

Im"ber-goose` (?), n. (Zoöl.) The loon. See Ember-goose.

Im*bez"zle (?), v. t. [Obs.] See Embezzle.

Im*bibe" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imbibed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Imbibing.] [L. imbibere; pref. im- in + bibere to drink: cf. F. imbiber. Cf. Bib, Imbue, Potable.] 1. To drink in; to absorb; to suck or take in; to receive as by drinking; as, a person imbibes drink, or a sponge imbibes moisture.

2. To receive or absorb into the mind and retain; as, to imbibe principles; to imbibe errors.

3. To saturate; to imbue. [Obs.] "Earth, imbibed with . . . acid." Sir I. Newton.

Im*bib"er (?), n. One who, or that which, imbibes.

Im`bi*bi"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. imbibition.] The act or process of imbibing, or absorbing; as, the post-mortem imbibition of poisons. Bacon.

Im*bit"ter (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imbittered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Imbittering.] [Pref. im- in + bitter. Cf. Embitter.] [Written also embitter.] To make bitter; hence, to make distressing or more distressing; to make sad, morose, sour, or malignant.

Is there anything that more imbitters the enjoyment of this life than shame?
South.

Imbittered against each other by former contests.
Bancroft.

Im*bit"ter*er (?), n. One who, or that which, imbitters.

Im*bit"ter*ment (?), n. The act of imbittering; bitter feeling; embitterment.

Im*blaze" (?), v. t. See Emblaze.

Im*bla"zon (?), v. t. See Emblazon.

Im*bod"y (?), v. i. [See Embody.] To become corporeal; to assume the qualities of a material body. See Embody.

The soul grows clotted by contagion,
Imbodies, and imbrutes.
Milton.

Im*boil" (?), v. t. & i. [Obs.] See Emboil.

Im*bold"en (?), v. t. See Embolden.

Im*bon"i*ty (?), n. [Pref. im- not + L. bonitas goodness.] Want of goodness. [Obs.] Burton.

Im*bor"der (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imbordered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Imbordering.] [Pref. im- in + border. Cf. Emborder.] To furnish or inclose with a border; to form a border of. Milton.

Im*bosk" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imbosked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Imbosking.] [CF. It. imboscare to imbosk, imboscarsi to retire into a wood; pref. im- in + bosco wood. See Boscage, and cf. Ambush.] To conceal, as in bushes; to hide. [Obs.] Shelton.

Im*bosk", v. i. To be concealed. [R.] Milton.

Im*bos"om (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imbosomed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Imbosoming.] [Pref. im- in + bosom. Cf. Embosom.] 1. To hold in the bosom; to cherish in the heart or affection; to embosom.

2. To inclose or place in the midst of; to surround or shelter; as, a house imbosomed in a grove. "Villages imbosomed soft in trees." Thomson.

The Father infinite,
By whom in bliss imbosomed sat the Son.
Milton.

Im*boss" (?), v. t. See Emboss.

Im*bos"ture (?), n. [See Emboss.] Embossed or raised work. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

Im*bound" (?), v. t. To inclose in limits; to shut in. [Obs.] Shak.

Im*bow" (?), v. t. [Pref. im- in + bow. Cf. Embow.] To make like a bow; to curve; to arch; to vault; to embow. "Imbowed windows." Bacon.

Im*bow"el (?), v. t. See Embowel.

Im*bow"er (?), v. t. & i. See Embower.

Im*bow"ment (?), n. act of imbowing; an arch; a vault. Bacon.

Im*box" (?), v. t. To inclose in a box.

Im*bra"cer*y (?), n. Embracery. [Obs.]

Im*braid" (?), v. t. [Obs.] See Embraid.

Im*bran"gle (?), v. t. To entangle as in a cobweb; to mix confusedly. [R.] Hudibras.

Physiology imbrangled with an inapplicable logic.
Coleridge.

Im*breed" (?), v. t. [Cf. Inbreed.] To generate within; to inbreed. [Obs.] Hakewill.

{ Im"bri*cate (?), Im"bri*ca`ted (?), } a. [L. imbricatus, p. p. of imbricare to cover with tiles, to form like a gutter tile, fr. imbrex, -icis, a hollow tile, gutter tile, fr. imber rain.] 1. Bent and hollowed like a roof or gutter tile.

2. Lying over each other in regular order, so as to "break joints," like tiles or shingles on a roof, the scales on the leaf buds of plants and the cups of some acorns, or the scales of fishes; overlapping each other at the margins, as leaves in æstivation.

3. In decorative art: Having scales lapping one over the other, or a representation of such scales; as, an imbricated surface; an imbricated pattern.

Im"bri*cate (?), v. t. To lay in order, one lapping over another, so as to form an imbricated surface.

Im`bri*ca"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. imbrication.] An overlapping of the edges, like that of tiles or shingles; hence, intricacy of structure; also, a pattern or decoration representing such a structure.

Im"bri*ca*tive (?), a. (Bot.) Imbricate.

Im`bro*ca"do (?), n.; pl. Imbrocadoes (#). [See Brocade.] Cloth of silver or of gold. [R.]

{ ||Im`bro*ca"ta (?), Im`broc*ca"ta }, n. [It. imbroccata.] A hit or thrust. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

Im*brogl"io (?), n.; pl. Imbroglios (#). [Written also embroglio.] [It. See 1st Broil, and cf. Embroil.] 1. An intricate, complicated plot, as of a drama or work of fiction.

2. A complicated and embarrassing state of things; a serious misunderstanding.

Wrestling to free itself from the baleful imbroglio.
Carlyle.

Im*brown" (?), v. t. [Pref. im- in + brown. Cf. Embrown.] To make brown; to obscure; to darken; to tan; as, features imbrowned by exposure.

The mountain mass by scorching skies imbrowned.
Byron.

Im*brue" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imbureed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Imbureing.] [Cf. OF. embruer, also embruver, embreuver, embrever, to give to drink, soak (see pref. En-, 1, 1st In-, and Breverage), but also OE. enbrewen, enbrowen, to stain, soil (cf. Brewis).] To wet or moisten; to soak; to drench, especially in blood.

While Darwen stream, will blood of Scots imbrued.
Milton.

Im*brue"ment (?), n. The act of imbruing or state of being imbrued.

Im*brute" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imbruted; p. pr. & vb. n. Imbruting.] [Pref. im- in + brute: cf. F. abrutir. Cf. Embrute.] To degrade to the state of a brute; to make brutal.

And mixed with bestial slime,
THis essence to incarnate and imbrute.
Milton.

Im*brute", v. i. To sink to the state of a brute.

The soul grows clotted by contagion,
Imbodies, and imbrutes, till she quite lose
The divine property of her first being.
Milton.

Im*brute"ment (?), n. The act of imbruting, or the state of being imbruted. [R.] Brydges.

Im*bue" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imbued (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Imbuing.] [L. imbuere; pref. im- in + perh. a disused simple word akin to L. bibere to drink. Cf. Imbibe.] 1. To tinge deeply; to dye; to cause to absorb; as, clothes thoroughly imbued with black.

2. To tincture deply; to cause to become impressed or penetrated; as, to imbue the minds of youth with good principles.

Thy words with grace divine
Imbued, bring to their sweetness no satiety.
Milton.

Im*bue"ment (?), n. The act of imbuing; the state of being imbued; hence, a deep tincture.

Im*burse" (?), v. t. [Pref. im- in + burse: cf. F. embourser to put into one's purse. See Burse, and Purse.] To supply or stock with money. [Obs.]

Im*burse"ment (?), n. 1. The act of imbursing, or the state of being imbursed. [Obs.]

2. Money laid up in stock. [Obs.]

Im*bu"tion (?), n. An imbuing. [Obs.]

I*mes"a*tin (?), n. [Imide + isatin.] (Chem.) A dark yellow, crystalline substance, obtained by the action of ammonia on isatin.

Im"ide (?), n. (Chem.) A compound with, or derivative of, the imido group; specif., a compound of one or more acid radicals with the imido group, or with a monamine; hence, also, a derivative of ammonia, in which two atoms of hydrogen have been replaced by divalent basic or acid radicals; -- frequently used as a combining form; as, succinimide.

Im"i*do (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, containing, or combined with, the radical NH, which is called the imido group.

Imido acid, an organic acid, consisting of one or more acid radicals so united with the imido group that it contains replaceable acid hydrogen, and plays the part of an acid; as, uric acid, succinimide, etc., are imido acids.

Im`it*a*bil"i*ty (?), n. [See Imitable.] The quality of being imitable. Norris.

Im"i*ta*ble (?), a. [L. imitabilis: cf. F. imitable. See Imitate.] 1. Capable of being imitated or copied.

The characters of man placed in lower stations of life are more usefull, as being imitable by great numbers.
Atterbury.

2. Worthy of imitation; as, imitable character or qualities. Sir W. Raleigh.

Im"i*ta*ble*ness, n. The state or quality of being imitable; worthness of imitation.

Im"i*tan*cy (?), n. [From L. imitans, p. pr. of imitare.] Tendency to imitation. [R.] Carlyle.

Im"i*tate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imitated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Imitating (?).] [L. imitatus, p. p. of imitari to imitate; of unknown origin. Cf. Image.] 1. To follow as a pattern, model, or example; to copy or strive to copy, in acts, manners etc.

Despise wealth and imitate a dog.
Cowlay.

2. To produce a semblance or likeness of, in form, character, color, qualities, conduct, manners, and the like; to counterfeit; to copy.

A place picked out by choice of best alive
The Nature's work by art can imitate.
Spenser.

This hand appeared a shining sword to weild,
And that sustained an imitated shield.
Dryden.

3. (Biol.) To resemble (another species of animal, or a plant, or inanimate object) in form, color, ornamentation, or instinctive habits, so as to derive an advantage thereby; sa, when a harmless snake imitates a venomous one in color and manner, or when an odorless insect imitates, in color, one having secretion offensive to birds.

Im"i*ta"tion (?), n. [L. imitatio: cf. F. imitation.] 1. The act of imitating.

Poesy is an art of imitation, . . . that is to say, a representing, counterfeiting, or figuring forth.
Sir P. Sidney.

2. That which is made or produced as a copy; that which is made to resemble something else, whether for laudable or for fraudulent purposes; likeness; resemblance.

Both these arts are not only true imitations of nature, but of the best nature.
Dryden.

3. (Mus.) One of the principal means of securing unity and consistency in polyphonic composition; the repetition of essentially the same melodic theme, phrase, or motive, on different degrees of pitch, by one or more of the other parts of voises. Cf. Canon.

4. (Biol.) The act of condition of imitating another species of animal, or a plant, or unanimate object. See Imitate, v. t., 3.

&fist; Imitation is often used adjectively to characterize things which have a deceptive appearance, simulating the qualities of a superior article; -- opposed to real or genuine; as, imitation lace; imitation bronze; imitation modesty, etc.

Im`i*ta"tion*al (?), a. Pertaining to, or employed in, imitation; as, imitational propensities.

Im"i*ta*tive (?), a. [L. imitavitus: cf. F. imitatif.] 1. Inclined to imitate, copy, or follow; imitating; exhibiting some of the qualities or characteristics of a pattern or model; dependent on example; not original; as, man is an imitative being; painting is an imitative art.

2. Formed after a model, pattern, or original.

This temple, less in form, with equal grace,
Was imitative of the first in Thrace.
Dryden.

3. (Nat. Hist.) Designed to imitate another species of animal, or a plant, or inanimate object, for some useful purpose, such as protection from enemies; having resemblance to something else; as, imitative colors; imitative habits; dendritic and mammillary forms of minerals are imitative.

-- Im"i*ta*tive*ly, adv. -- Im"i*ta*tive*ness, n.

Im"i*ta*tive, n. (Gram.) A verb expressive of imitation or resemblance. [R.]

Im"i*ta"tor (?), n. [L.] One who imitates.

Im"i*ta`tor*ship, n. The state or office of an imitator. "Servile imitatorship." Marston.

Im"i*ta`tress (?), n. A woman who is an imitator.

Im"i*ta`trix (?), n. An imitatress.

Im*mac"u*late (?), a. [L. immaculatus; pref. im- not + maculatus, p. p. of maculare to spot, stane, fr. macula spot. See Mail armor.] Without stain or blemish; spotless; undefiled; clear; pure.

Were but my soul as pure
From other guilt as that, Heaven did not hold
One more immaculate.
Denham.

Thou sheer, immaculate and silver fountain.
Shak.

Immaculate conception (R. C. Ch.), the doctrine that the Virgin Mary was conceived without original sin.

-- Im*mac"u*late*ly, adv. -- Im*mac"u*late*ness, n.

Im*mailed" (?), a. Wearing mail or armor; clad of armor. W. Browne.

Im*mal"le*a*ble (?), a. Not maleable.

Im*man"a*cle (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Immanacled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Immanacling (?).] To manacle; to fetter; hence; to confine; to restrain from free action.

Although this corporal rind
Thou hast immanacled.
Milton.

Im"ma*na"tion (?), n. [Pref. im- in + L. manare to flow; cf. mantio a flowing.] A flowing or entering in; -- opposed to emanation. [R.] Good.

Im*mane" (?), a. [L. immanis.] Very great; huge; vast; also, monstrous in character; inhuman; atrocious; fierce. [Obs.] "So immane a man." Chapman.

-- Im*mane"ly, adv. [Obs.]

{ Im"ma*nence (?), Im"ma*nen*cy (?), } n. The condition or quality of being immanent; inherence; an indwelling.

[Clement] is mainly concerned in enforcing the immanence of God. Christ is everywhere presented by him as Deity indwelling in the world.
A. V. G. Allen.

Im"ma*nent (?), a. [L. immanens, p. pr. of immanere to remain in or near; pref. im- in + manere to remain: cf. F. immanent.] Remaining within; inherent; indwelling; abiding; intrinsic; internal or subjective; hence, limited in activity, agency, or effect, to the subject or associated acts; -- opposed to emanant, transitory, transitive, or objective.

A cognition is an immanent act of mind.
Sir W. Hamilton.

An immanent power in the life of the world.
Hare.

Im*man"i*fest (?), a. Not manifest. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Im*man"i*ty (?), n. [L. immanitas.] The state or quality of being immane; barbarity. [R.] Shak.

Im*man"tle (?), v. t. See Emmantle. [R.]

Im*man"u*el (?), n. [Heb. 'immān&?;ēl, fr. 'im with + ān&?; us + ēl God.] God with us; -- an appellation of the Christ. Is. vii. 14. Matt. i. 23.

Im`mar*ces"ci*ble (?), a. [L. immarcescibilis; pref. im- not + marcescere to fade: cf. F. immarcescible.] Unfading; lasting. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

Im`mar*ces"ci*bly, adv. Unfadingly. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

Im*mar"gin*ate (?), a. (Bot.) Not having a distinctive margin or border. Grey.

Im*mar"tial (?), a. Not martial; unwarlike. [Obs.]

Im*mask" (?), v. t. To cover, as with a mask; to disguise or conceal. [R.] Shak.

Im*match"a*ble (?), a. Matchless; peerless. [Obs.] Holland.

Im`ma*te"ri*al (&ibreve;m`m&adot;*tē"r&ibreve;*al), a. [Pref. im- not + material: cf. F. immatériel.] 1. Not consisting of matter; incorporeal; spiritual; disembodied.

Angels are spirits immaterial and intellectual.
Hooker.

2. Of no substantial consequence; without weight or significance; unimportant; as, it is wholly immaterial whether he does so or not.

Syn. -- Unimportant; inconsequential; insignificant; inconsiderable; trifling.

Im`ma*te"ri*al*ism (?), n. [Cf. F. immatérialisme.] 1. The doctrine that immaterial substances or spiritual being exist, or are possible.

2. (Philos.) The doctrine that external bodies may be reduced to mind and ideas in a mind; any doctrine opposed to materialism or phenomenalism, esp. a system that maintains the immateriality of the soul; idealism; esp., Bishop Berkeley's theory of idealism.

Im`ma*te"ri*al*ist, n. [Cf. F. immatérialiste.] (Philos.) One who believes in or professes, immaterialism.

Im`ma*te`ri*al"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Immaterialities (#). [Cf. F. immatérialité.] The state or quality of being immaterial or incorporeal; as, the immateriality of the soul.

Im`ma*te"ri*al*ize (?), v. t. [Cf. F. immatérialiser.] To render immaterial or incorporeal.

Immateralized spirits.
Glanvill.

Im`ma*te"ri*al*ly, adv. 1. In an immaterial manner; without matter or corporeal substance.

2. In an unimportant manner or degree.

Im`ma*te"ri*al*ness, n. The state or quality of being immaterial; immateriality.

Im`ma*te"ri*ate (?), a. Immaterial. [Obs.] Bacon.

Im`ma*ture" (?), a. [L. immaturus; pref. im- not + maturus mature, ripe. See Mature.] 1. Not mature; unripe; not arrived at perfection of full development; crude; unfinished; as, immature fruit; immature character; immature plans. "An ill-measured and immature counsel." Bacon.

2. Premature; untimely; too early; as, an immature death. [R.] Jer. Taylor.

Im`ma*tured" (?), a. Immature.

Im`ma*ture"ly (?), adv. In an immature manner. Warburion.

Im`ma*ture"ness, n. The state or quality of being immature; immaturity. Boyle.

Im`ma*tu"ri*ty (?), n. [L. immaturitas: cf. F. immaturité.] The state or quality of being immature or not fully developed; unripeness; incompleteness.

When the world has outgrown its intellectual immaturity.
Caird.

Im`me*a*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Pref. im- not + L. meabilis passable, fr. meare to pass.] Want of power to pass, or to permit passage; impassableness.

Immeability of the juices.
Arbuthnot.

Im*meas`ur*a*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality of being immeasurable; immensurability.

Im*meas"ur*a*ble (?), a. [Pref. im- not + measurable: cf. F. measurable. Cf. Immensurable, Unmeasurable.] Incapable of being measured; indefinitely extensive; illimitable; immensurable; vast.

Of depth immeasurable.
Milton.

Im*meas"ur*a*ble*ness, n. The state or quality of being immeasurable.

Eternity and immeasurableness belong to thought alone.
F. W. Robertson.

Im*meas"ur*a*bly, adv. In an immeasurable manner or degree. "Immeasurably distant." Wordsworth.

Im*meas"ured (?), a. Immeasurable. [R.] Spenser.

Im`me*chan"ic*al (?), a. Not mechanical. [Obs.] Cheyne. -- Im"me*chan"ic*al*ly, adv. [Obs.]

Im*me"di*a*cy (?), n. The relation of freedom from the interventionof a medium; immediateness. Shak.

Im*me"di*ate (?), a. [F. immédiat. See In- not, and Mediate.] 1. Not separated in respect to place by anything intervening; proximate; close; as, immediate contact.

You are the most immediate to our throne.
Shak.

2. Not deferred by an interval of time; present; instant. "Assemble we immediate council." Shak.

Death . . . not yet inflicted, as he feared,
By some immediate stroke.
Milton.

3. Acting with nothing interposed or between, or without the intervention of another object as a cause, means, or agency; acting, perceived, or produced, directly; as, an immediate cause.

The immediate knowledge of the past is therefore impossible.
Sir. W. Hamilton.

Immediate amputation (Surg.), an amputation performed within the first few hours after an injury, and before the the effects of the shock have passed away.

Syn. -- Proximate; close; direct; next.

Im*me"di*ate*ly (?), adv. 1. In an immediate manner; without intervention of any other person or thing; proximately; directly; -- opposed to mediately; as, immediately contiguous.

God's acceptance of it either immediately by himself, or mediately by the hands of the bishop.
South.

2. Without interval of time; without delay; promptly; instantly; at once.

And Jesus . . . touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Matt. viii. 3.

3. As soon as. Cf. Directly, 8, Note.

Syn. -- Directly; instantly; quickly; forthwith; straightway; presently. See Directly.

Im*me"di*ate*ness, n. The quality or relations of being immediate in manner, place, or time; exemption from second or interventing causes. Bp. Hall.

Im*me"di*a*tism (?), n. Immediateness.

Im*med"i*ca*ble (?), a. [L. Immedicabilis. See In- not, and Medicable.] Not to be healed; incurable. "Wounds immedicable." Milton.

Im`me*lo"di*ous (?), a. Not melodious.

Im*mem"o*ra*ble (?), a. [L. immemorabilis; pref. im- not + memorabilis memorable: cf. F. immémorable. See Memorable.] Not memorable; not worth remembering. Johnson.

Im`me*mo"ri*al (?), a. [Pref. im- not + memorial: cf. F. immémorial.] Extending beyond the reach of memory, record, or tradition; indefinitely ancient; as, existing from time immemorial. "Immemorial elms." Tennyson. "Immemorial usage or custom." Sir M. Hale.

Time immemorial (Eng. Law.), a time antedating (legal) history, and beyond "legal memory" so called; formerly an indefinite time, but in 1276 this time was fixed by statute as the begining of the reign of Richard I. (1189). Proof of unbroken possession or use of any right since that date made it unnecessary to establish the original grant. In 1832 the plan of dating legal memory from a fixed time was abandoned and the principle substituted that rights which had been enjoyed for full twenty years (or as against the crown thirty years) should not be liable to impeachment merely by proving that they had not been enjoyed before.

Im`me*mo"ri*al*ly, adv. Beyond memory. Bentley.

Im*mense" (?), a. [L. immensus; pref. im- not + mensus, p. p. of metiri to measure: cf. F. immense. See Measure.] Immeasurable; unlimited. In commonest use: Very great; vast; huge. "Immense the power" Pope. "Immense and boundless ocean." Daniel.

O Goodness infinite! Goodness immense!
Milton.

Syn. -- Infinite; immeasurable; illimitable; unbounded; unlimited; interminable; vast; prodigious; enormous; monstrous. See Enormous.

Im*mense"ly, adv. In immense manner or degree.

Im*mense"ness, n. The state of being immense.

Im*men"si*ble (?), a. [Immense + -ible.] Immeasurable. [Obs.] Davies.

Im*men"si*ty (?), n.; pl. Immensities (#). [L. immensitas: cf. F. immensité.] The state or quality of being immense; inlimited or immeasurable extension; infinity; vastness in extent or bulk; greatness.

Lost in the wilds of vast immensity.
Blackmore.

The immensity of the material system.
I. Taylor.

Im*men"sive (?), a. Huge. [Obs.] Herrick.

Im*men`su*ra*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality of being immensurable.

Im*men"su*ra*ble (?), a. [Pref. im- not + L. mensurabilis measurable: cf. F. immensurable. Cf. Immeasurable.] Immeasurable.

What an immensurable space is the firmament.
Derham.

Im*men"su*rate (?), a. [Pref. im- not + mensurate.] Unmeasured; unlimited. [R.] W. Montagu.

Im*merge" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Immerged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Immerging (?).] [L. immergere; pref. im- in + mergere to dip, plunge: cf. F. immerger. See Merge, and cf. Immerse.] To plungel into, under, or within anything especially a fuid; to dip; to immerse. See Immerse.

We took . . . lukewarm water, and in it immerged a quantity of the leaves of senna.
Boyle.

Their souls are immerged in matter.
Jer. Taylor.

Im*merge" (?), v. i. To dissapear by entering into any medium, as a star into the light of the sun. [R.]

Im*mer"it (?), n. Want of worth; demerit. [R.] Suckling.

Im*mer"it*ed, a. Unmerited. [Obs.] Charles I.

Im*mer"it*ous (?), a. [L. immeritus; pref. im- not + meritus, p. p. of merere, mereri, to deserve.] Undeserving. [Obs.] Milton.

Im*mers"a*ble (?), a. See Immersible.

Im*merse" (?), a. [L. immersus, p. p. of immergere. See Immerge.] Immersed; buried; hid; sunk. [Obs.] "Things immerse in matter." Bacon.

Im*merse", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Immersed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Immersing.] 1. To plunge into anything that surrounds or covers, especially into a fluid; to dip; to sink; to bury; to immerge.

Deep immersed beneath its whirling wave.
J Warton.

More than a mile immersed within the wood.
Dryden.

2. To baptize by immersion.

3. To engage deeply; to engross the attention of; to involve; to overhelm.

The queen immersed in such a trance.
Tennyson.

It is impossible to have a lively hope in another life, and yet be deeply immersed inn the enjoyments of this.
Atterbury.

Im*mersed" (?), p. p. & a. 1. Deeply plunged into anything, especially a fluid.

2. Deeply occupied; engrossed; entangled.

3. (Bot.) Growing wholly under water. Gray.

Im*mers"i*ble (?), a. [From Immerse.] Capable of being immersed.

Im*mers"i*ble, a. [Pref. im- not + L. mersus, p. p. of mergere to plunge.] Not capable of being immersed.

Im*mer"sion (?), n. [L. immersio; cf. F. immersion.] 1. The act of immersing, or the state of being immersed; a sinking within a fluid; a dipping; as, the immersion of Achilles in the Styx.

2. Submersion in water for the purpose of Christian baptism, as, practiced by the Baptists.

3. The state of being overhelmed or deeply absorbed; deep engagedness.

Too deep an immersion in the affairs of life.
Atterbury.

4. (Astron.) The dissapearance of a celestail body, by passing either behind another, as in the occultation of a star, or into its shadow, as in the eclipse of a satellite; -- opposed to emersion.

Immersion lens, a microscopic objective of short focal distance designed to work with a drop of liquid, as oil, between the front lens and the slide, so that this lens is practically immersed.

Im*mer"sion*ist, n. (Eccl.) One who holds the doctrine that immersion is essential to Christian baptism.

Im*mesh" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Immeshed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Immeshing.] [Pref. im- in + mesh. Cf. Inmesh.] To catch or entangle in, or as in, the meshes of a net. or in a web; to insnare.

Im`me*thod"ic*al (?), a. Not methodical; without method or systematic arrangement; without order or regularity; confused. Addison.

Syn. -- Irregular; confused; disoderly; unsystematic; desultory.

Im`me*thod"ic*al*ly, adv. Without method; confusedly; unsystematically.

Im`me*thod"ic*al*ness, n. Want of method.

Im*meth"od*ize (?), v. t. To render immethodical; to destroy the method of; to confuse. [R.]

Im*met"ric*al (&?;), a. Not metrical or rhythmical. [R.] Chapman.

Im*mew" (?), v. t. See Emmew.

Im"mi*grant (?), n. [L. immigrans, p. pr. of immigrare to go into: cf. F. immigrant. See Immigrate.] One who immigrates; one who comes to a country for the purpose of permanent residence; -- correlative of emigrant.

Syn. -- See Emigrant.

Im"mi*grate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Immigrated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Immigrating (?).] [L. immigrare, immigratum, to immigrate; pref. im- in + migrare to migrate. See Migrate.] To come into a country of which one is not a native, for the purpose of permanent residence. See Emigrate.

Im"mi*gra"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. immigration.] The act of immigrating; the passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence.

The immigrations of the Arabians into Europe.
T. Warton.

Im"mi*nence (?), n. [Cf. F. imminence, L. imminentia, See Imminent.] 1. The condition or quality of being imminent; a threatening, as of something about to happen. The imminence of any danger or distress. Fuller.

2. That which is imminent; impending evil or danger. "But dare all imminence." Shak.

Im"mi*nent (?), a. [L. imminens, p. pr. of imminere to project; pref. im- in + minere (in comp.) to jut, project. See Eminent.] 1. Threatening to occur immediately; near at hand; impending; -- said especially of misfortune or peril. "In danger imminent." Spenser.

2. Full of danger; threatening; menacing; perilous.

Hairbreadth scapes i' the imminent deadly breach.
Shak.

3. (With upon) Bent upon; attentive to. [R.]

Their eyes ever imminent upon worldly matters.
Milton.

Syn. -- Impending; threatening; near; at hand. -- Imminent, Impending, Threatening. Imminent is the strongest: it denotes that something is ready to fall or happen on the instant; as, in imminent danger of one's life. Impending denotes that something hangs suspended over us, and may so remain indefinitely; as, the impending evils of war. Threatening supposes some danger in prospect, but more remote; as, threatening indications for the future.

Three times to-day
You have defended me from imminent death.
Shak.

No story I unfold of public woes,
Nor bear advices of impending foes.
Pope.

Fierce faces threatening war.
Milton.

Im"mi*nent*ly, adv. In an imminent manner.

Im*min"gle (?), v. t. To mingle; to mix; to unite; to blend. [R.] Thomson.

Im`mi*nu"tion (?), n. [L. imminutio, fr. imminuere, imminutum, to lessen; pref. im- in + minuere.] A lessening; diminution; decrease. [R.] Ray.

Im*mis"ci*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. immiscibilité.] Incapability of being mixed, or mingled.

Im*mis"ci*ble (?), a. [Pref. im- not + miscible: cf. F. immiscible.] Not capable of being mixed or mingled.

A chaos of immiscible and conflicting particles.
Cudworth.

Im*mis"sion (?), n. [L. immissio: cf. F. immission. See Immit.] The act of immitting, or of sending or thrusting in; injection; -- the correlative of emission.

Im*mit" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Immitted; p. pr. & vb. n. Immiting.] [L. immittere, immissum; pref. im- in + mittere to send.] To send in; to inject; to infuse; -- the correlative of emit. [R.] Boyle.

Im*mit"i*ga*ble (?), a. [L. immitigabilis; fr. pref. im- not + mitigare to mitigate.] Not capable of being mitigated, softened, or appeased. Coleridge.

Im*mit"i*ga*bly (?), adv. In an immitigable manner.

Im*mix" (?), v. t. [Pref. in- in + mix.] To mix; to mingle. [R.]

Amongst her tears immixing prayers meek.
Spenser.

Im*mix"a*ble (?), a. Not mixable. Bp. Wilkins.

Im*mixed" (?), a. [Pref. in- not + mixed, p. p. of mix.] Unmixed. [Obs.]

How pure and immixed the design is.
Boyle.

Im*mix"ture (?), n. Freedom from mixture; purity. [R.] W. Montagu.

Im*mo"bile (?), a. [L. immobilis: cf. F. immobile. See Immobility.] Incapable of being moved; immovable; fixed; stable. Prof. Shedd.

Im`mo*bil"i*ty (?), n. [L. immobilitas, fr. immobilis immovable; pref. im- not + mobilis movable: cf. F. immobilité. See Mobile.] The condition or quality of being immobile; fixedness in place or state.

Im*mob"i*lize (?), v. t. [Pref. im- in + mobilize; cf. f. immobiliser.] To make immovable; in surgery, to make immovable (a naturally mobile part, as a joint) by the use of splints, or stiffened bandages.

Im*mo"ble (?), a. [Obs.] See Immobile.

Im*mod"er*a*cy (?), n. [From Immoderate.] Immoderateness. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

Im*mod"er*an*cy (?), n. [L. immoderantia.] Immoderateness; excess. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

Im*mod"er*ate (?), a. [L. immoderatus; pref. im- not + moderatus moderate. See Moderate.] Not moderate; exceeding just or usual and suitable bounds; excessive; extravagant; unreasonable; as, immoderate demands; immoderate grief; immoderate laughter.

So every scope by the immoderate use
Turns to restraint.
Shak.

Syn. -- Excessive; exorbitant; unreasonable; extravagant; intemperate; inordinate.

Im*mod"er*ate*ly, adv. In an immoderate manner; excessively.

Im*mod"er*ate*ness, n. The quality of being immoderate; excess; extravagance. Puller.

Im*mod`er*a"tion (?), n. [L. immoderatio: cf. F. imodération.] Want of moderation. Hallywell.

Im*mod"est (?), a. [F. immodeste, L. immodestus immoderate; pref. im- not + modestus modest. See Modest.] 1. Not limited to due bounds; immoderate.

2. Not modest; wanting in the reserve or restraint which decorum and decency require; indecent; indelicate; obscene; lewd; as, immodest persons, behavior, words, pictures, etc.

Immodest deeds you hinder to be wrought,
But we proscribe the least immodest thought.
Dryden.

Syn. -- Indecorous; indelicate; shameless; shameful; impudent; indecent; impure; unchaste; lewd; obscene.

Im*mod"est*ly, adv. In an immodest manner.

Im*mod"es*ty (?), n. [L. immodestia: cf. F. immodestie.] Want of modesty, delicacy, or decent reserve; indecency. "A piece of immodesty." Pope.

Im"mo*late (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Immolated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Immolating.] [L. immolatus, p. p. of immolare to sacrifice, orig., to sprinkle a victim with sacrifical meal; pref. im- in + mola grits or grains of spelt coarsely ground and mixed with salt; also, mill. See Molar, Meal ground grain.] To sacrifice; to offer in sacrifice; to kill, as a sacrificial victim.

Worshipers, who not only immolate to them [the deities] the lives of men, but . . . the virtue and honor of women.
Boyle.

Im`mo*la"tion (?), n. [L. immolatio: cf. F. immolation.] 1. The act of immolating, or the state of being immolated, or sacrificed. Sir. T. Browne.

2. That which is immolated; a sacrifice.

Im"mo*la`tor (?), n. [L.] One who offers in sacrifice; specifically, one of a sect of Russian fanatics who practice self-mutilation and sacrifice.

{ Im*mold", Im*mould" } (?), v. t. To mold into shape, or form. [Obs.] G. Fletcher.

Im*mo"ment (?), a. [See Immomentous.] Trifling. [R.] "Immoment toys." Shak.

Im`mo*men"tous (?), a. [Pref. im- not + momentous.] Not momentous; unimportant; insignificant. [R.] A. Seward.

Im*mor"al (?), a. [Pref. im- not + moral: cf. F. immoral.] Not moral; inconsistent with rectitude, purity, or good morals; contrary to conscience or the divine law; wicked; unjust; dishonest; vicious; licentious; as, an immoral man; an immoral deed.

Syn. -- Wicked; sinful; criminal; vicious; unjust; dishonest; depraved; impure; unchaste; profligate; dissolute; abandoned; licentious; lewd; obscene.

Im`mo*ral"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Immoralities (#). [Cf. F. immoralité.] 1. The state or quality of being immoral; vice.

The root of all immorality.
Sir W. Temple.

2. An immoral act or practice.

Luxury and sloth and then a great drove of heresies and immoralities broke loose among them.
Milton.

Im*mor"al*ly (?), adv. In an immoral manner; wickedly.

Im`mo*rig"er*ous (?), a. [Pref. im- not + morigerous.] Rude; uncivil; disobedient. [Obs.] -- Im`mo*rig"er*ous*ness, n. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.

Im*mor"tal (?), a. [L. immortalis; pref. im- not + mortalis mortal: cf. F. immortel. See Mortal, and cf. Immortelle.] 1. Not mortal; exempt from liability to die; undying; imperishable; lasting forever; having unlimited, or eternal, existance.

Unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible.
1 Tim. i. 17.

For my soul, what can it do to that,
Being a thing immortal as itself?
Shak.

2. Connected with, or pertaining to immortality.

I have immortal longings in me.
Shak.

3. Destined to live in all ages of this world; abiding; exempt from oblivion; imperishable; as, immortal fame.

One of the few, immortal names,
That were not born to die.
Halleck.

4. Great; excessive; grievous. [Obs.] Hayward.

Immortal flowers, immortelles; everlastings.

Syn. -- Eternal; everlasting; never-ending; ceaseless; perpetual; continual; enduring; endless; imperishable; incorruptible; deathless; undying.

Im*mor"tal (?), n. One who will never cease to be; one exempt from death, decay, or annihilation. Bunyan.

Im*mor"tal*ist, n. One who holds the doctrine of the immortality of the soul. [R.] Jer. Taylor.

Im`mor*tal"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Immortalities (#). [L. immortalitas: cf. F. immortalité.] 1. The quality or state of being immortal; exemption from death and annihilation; unending existance; as, the immortality of the soul.

This mortal must put on immortality.
1 Cor. xv. 53.

2. Exemption from oblivion; perpetuity; as, the immortality of fame.

Im*mor`tal*i*za"tion (?), n. The act of immortalizing, or state of being immortalized.

Im*mor"tal*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Immortalized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Immortalizing (?).] [Cf. F. immortaliser.] 1. To render immortal; to cause to live or exist forever. S. Clarke.

2. To exempt from oblivion; to perpetuate in fame.

Alexander had no Homer to immortalize his guilty name.
T. Dawes.

Im*mor"tal*ize, v. i. To become immortal. [R.]

Im*mor"tal*ly, adv. In an immortal manner.

Im`mor*telle" (?), n.; pl. Immortelles (#). [F. See Immortal.] (Bot.) A plant with a conspicuous, dry, unwithering involucre, as the species of Antennaria, Helichrysum, Gomphrena, etc. See Everlasting.

Im*mor`ti*fi*ca"tion (?), n. Failure to mortify the passions. [R.] Jer. Taylor.

Im*mov"a*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being immovable; fixedness; steadfastness; as, immovability of a heavy body; immovability of purpose.

Im*mov"a*ble (?), a. 1. Incapable of being moved; firmly fixed; fast; -- used of material things; as, an immovable foundation.

Immovable, infixed, and frozen round.
Milton.

2. Steadfast; fixed; unalterable; unchangeable; -- used of the mind or will; as, an immovable purpose, or a man who remains immovable.

3. Not capable of being affected or moved in feeling or by sympathy; unimpressible; impassive. Dryden.

4. (Law.) Not liable to be removed; permanent in place or tenure; fixed; as, an immovable estate. See Immovable, n. Blackstone.

Immovable apparatus (Med.), an appliance, like the plaster of paris bandage, which keeps fractured parts firmly in place. -- Immovable feasts (Eccl.), feasts which occur on a certain day of the year and do not depend on the date of Easter; as, Christmas, the Epiphany, etc.

Im*mov"a*ble, n. 1. That which can not be moved.

2. pl. (Civil Law) Lands and things adherent thereto by nature, as trees; by the hand of man, as buildings and their accessories; by their destination, as seeds, plants, manure, etc.; or by the objects to which they are applied, as servitudes. Ayliffe. Bouvier.

Im*mov"a*ble*ness, n. Quality of being immovable.

Im*mov"a*bly, adv. In an immovable manner.

Im*mund" (?), a. [L. immundus; pref. im- not + mundus clean.] Unclean. [R.] Burton.

Im`mun*dic"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. immondicité, L. immunditia, immundities.] Uncleanness; filthiness. [R.] W. Montagu.

Im*mune" (?), a. [L. immunis. See Immunity.] Exempt; protected by inoculation. -- Im*mu"nize (#), v. t.

Im*mu"ni*ty (?), n.; pl. Immunities (#). [L. immunitas, fr. immunis free from a public service; pref. im- not + munis complaisant, obliging, cf. munus service, duty: cf. F. immunité. See Common, and cf. Mean, a.] 1. Freedom or exemption from any charge, duty, obligation, office, tax, imposition, penalty, or service; a particular privilege; as, the immunities of the free cities of Germany; the immunities of the clergy.

2. Freedom; exemption; as, immunity from error.

Im*mure" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Immured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Immuring.] [Pref. im- in + mure: cf. F. emmurer.] 1. To wall around; to surround with walls. [Obs.] Sandys.

2. To inclose whithin walls, or as within walls; hence, to shut up; to imprison; to incarcerate.

Those tender babes
Whom envy hath immured within your walls.
Shak.

This huge convex of fire,
Outrageous to devour, immures us round.
Milton.

Im*mure", n. A wall; an inclosure. [Obs.] Shak.

Im*mure"ment (?), n. The act of immuring, or the state of being immured; imprisonment.

Im*mu"sic*al (?), a. Inharmonious; unmusical; discordant. Bacon.

Im*mu`ta*bil"i*ty (?), n. [L. immutabilitas: cf. F. immutabilité.] The state or quality of being immutable; immutableness. Heb. vi. 17.

Im*mu"ta*ble (?), a. [L. immutabilis; pref. im- not + mutabilis mutable. See Mutable.] Not mutable; not capable or susceptible of change; unchangeable; unalterable.

That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation.
Heb. vi. 18.

Immutable, immortal, infinite,
Eternal King.
Milton.

-- Im*mu"ta*ble*ness, n. -- Im*mu"ta*bly, adv.

Im*mu"tate (&ibreve;m*mū"t&asl;t), a. [L. immutatus, p. p. of immature.] Unchanged. [Obs.]

Im"mu*ta"tion (?), n. [L. immutatio, from immutare, immutatum, to change. See Immute.] Change; alteration; mutation. [R.] Dr. H. More.

Im*mute" (&ibreve;m*mūt"), v. t. [L. immutare, immutatum; perf. im- in + mutare to change : cf. OF. immuter.] To change or alter. [Obs.] J. Salkeld.

Imp (&ibreve;mp), n. [OE. imp a graft, AS. impa; akin to Dan. ympe, Sw. ymp, prob. fr. LL. impotus, Gr. &?; engrafted, innate, fr. &?; to implant; &?; in + &?; to produce; akin to E. be. See 1st In-, Be.] 1. A shoot; a scion; a bud; a slip; a graft. [Obs.] Chaucer.

2. An offspring; progeny; child; scion. [Obs.]

The tender imp was weaned.
Fairfax.

3. A young or inferior devil; a little, malignant spirit; a puny demon; a contemptible evil worker.

To mingle in the clamorous fray
Of squabbling imps.
Beattie.

4. Something added to, or united with, another, to lengthen it out or repair it, -- as, an addition to a beehive; a feather inserted in a broken wing of a bird; a length of twisted hair in a fishing line. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

Imp, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Imping.] [AS. impian to imp, ingraft, plant; akin to Dan. ympe, Sw. ympa, OHG. impfōn, impitōn, G. impfen. See Imp, n.] 1. To graft; to insert as a scion. [Obs.] Rom. of R.

2. (Falconry) To graft with new feathers, as a wing; to splice a broken feather. Hence, Fig.: To repair; to extend; to increase; to strengthen; to equip. [Archaic]

Imp out our drooping country's broken wing.
Shak.

Who lazily imp their wings with other men's plumes.
Fuller.

Here no frail Muse shall imp her crippled wing.
Holmes.

Help, ye tart satirists, to imp my rage
With all the scorpions that should whip this age.
Cleveland.

Im*pa"ca*ble (?), a. [L. pref. im- not + pacare to quiet. See Pacate.] Not to be appeased or quieted. [Obs.] Spenser. -- Im*pa"ca*bly, adv.

Im*pack"ment (?), n. [Pref. im- in + pack.] The state of being closely surrounded, crowded, or pressed, as by ice. [R.] Kane.

Im*pact" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impacted; p. pr. & vb. n. Impacting.] [L. impactus, p. p. of impingere to push, strike against. See Impinge.] To drive close; to press firmly together: to wedge into a place. Woodward.

Im"pact (?), n. 1. Contact or impression by touch; collision; forcible contact; force communicated.

The quarrel, by that impact driven.
Southey.

2. (Mech.) The single instantaneous stroke of a body in motion against another either in motion or at rest.

Im*pact"ed (?), a. Driven together or close.

Impacted fracture (Surg.), a fracture in which the fragments are driven into each other so as to be immovable.

Im*pac"tion (?), n. [L. impactio a striking : cf. F. impaction.] 1. (Surg.) The driving of one fragment of bone into another so that the fragments are not movable upon each other; as, impaction of the skull or of the hip.

2. An immovable packing; (Med.), a lodgment of something in a strait or passage of the body; as, impaction of the fetal head in the strait of the pelvis; impaction of food or feces in the intestines of man or beast.

Im*paint" (?), v. t. To paint; to adorn with colors. [R.] "To impaint his cause." Shak.

Im*pair" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impaired (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Impairing.] [Written also empair.] [OE. empeiren, enpeiren, OF. empeirier, empirier, F. empirer, LL. impejorare; L. pref. im- in + pejorare to make worse, fr. pejor worse. Cf. Appair.] To make worse; to diminish in quantity, value, excellence, or strength; to deteriorate; as, to impair health, character, the mind, value.

Time sensibly all things impairs.
Roscommon.

In years he seemed, but not impaired by years.
Pope.

Syn. -- To diminish; decrease; injure; weaken; enfeeble; debilitate; reduce; debase; deteriorate.

Im*pair", v. t. To grow worse; to deteriorate. Milton.

Im"pair (?), a. [F. impair uneven, L. impar; im- not + par equal.] Not fit or appropriate. [Obs.]

Im*pair" (?), n. Diminution; injury. [Obs.]

Im*pair"er (?), n. One who, or that which, impairs.

Im*pair"ment (?), n. [OE. enpeirement, OF. empirement.] The state of being impaired; injury. "The impairment of my health." Dryden.

Im*pal"a*ta*ble (?), a. Unpalatable. [R.]

Im*pale" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impaled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Impaling.] [See 2d Empale.] 1. To pierce with a pale; to put to death by fixing on a sharp stake. See Empale.

Then with what life remains, impaled, and left
To writhe at leisure round the bloody stake.
Addison.

2. To inclose, as with pales or stakes; to surround.

Impale him with your weapons round about.
Shak.

Impenetrable, impaled with circling fire.
Milton.

3. (Her.) To join, as two coats of arms on one shield, palewise; hence, to join in honorable mention.

Ordered the admission of St. Patrick to the same to be matched and impaled with the blessed Virgin in the honor thereof.
Fuller.

Im*pale"ment (?), n. 1. The act of impaling, or the state of being impaled. Byron.

2. An inclosing by stakes or pales, or the space so inclosed. H. Brooke.

3. That which hedges in; inclosure. [R.] Milton.

4. (Her.) The division of a shield palewise, or by a vertical line, esp. for the purpose of putting side by side the arms of husband and wife. See Impale, 3.

Im*pal"la (?), n. (Zoöl.) The pallah deer of South Africa.

Im*pal"lid (?), v. t. To make pallid; to blanch. [Obs.] Feltham.

Im*palm" (?), v. t. To grasp with or hold in the hand. [R.] J. Barlow.

Im*pal`pa*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. impalpabilité.] The quality of being impalpable. Jortin.

Im*pal"pa*ble (?), a. [Pref. im- not + palpable: cf. F. impalpable.] 1. Not palpable; that cannot be felt; extremely fine, so that no grit can be perceived by touch. "Impalpable powder." Boyle.

2. Not material; intangible; incorporeal. "Impalpable, void, and bodiless." Holland.

3. Not apprehensible, or readily apprehensible, by the mind; unreal; as, impalpable distinctions.

Im*pal"pa*bly, adv. In an impalpable manner.

Im*pal"sy (?), v. t. To palsy; to paralyze; to deaden. [R.]

Im*pa"nate (?), a. [LL. impanatus, p. p. of impanare to impanate; L. pref. im- in + panis bread.] Embodied in bread, esp. in the bread of the eucharist. [Obs.] Cranmer.

Im*pa"nate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impanated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Impanating.] To embody in bread, esp. in the bread of the eucharist. [Obs.]

Im"pa*na"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. impanation. See Impanate, a.] (Eccl.) Embodiment in bread; the supposed real presence and union of Christ's material body and blood with the substance of the elements of the eucharist without a change in their nature; -- distinguished from transubstantiation, which supposes a miraculous change of the substance of the elements. It is akin to consubstantiation.

Im*pa"na*tor (?), n. [LL.] (Eccl.) One who holds the doctrine of impanation.

Im*pan"el (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impaneled (?) or Impanelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Impaneling or Impanelling.] [Pref. im- in + panel. Cf. Empanel.] [Written also empanel.] To enter in a list, or on a piece of parchment, called a panel; to form or enroll, as a list of jurors in a court of justice. Blackstone.

Im*pan"el*ment (?), n. The act or process of impaneling, or the state of being impaneled.

Im*par"a*dise (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imparadised (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Imparadising (?).] [Pref. im- + paradise: cf. F. emparadiser.] To put in a state like paradise; to make supremely happy. "Imparadised in one another's arms." Milton.

Im*par"al*leled (?), a. Unparalleled. [Obs.]

Im*par"don*a*ble (?), a. [Cf. F. impardonnable.] Unpardonable. [Obs.] South.

Im*par`i*dig"i*tate (?), a. [L. impar unequal + digitus finger.] (Anat.) Having an odd number of fingers or toes, either one, three, or five, as in the horse, tapir, rhinoceros, etc.

Im*par"i*pin"nate (?), a. [L. impar unequal + E. pinnate.] (Bot.) Pinnate with a single terminal leaflet.

Im*par"i*syl*lab"ic (?), a. [L. impar unequal + E. syllabic: cf. F. imparisyllabique.] (Gram.) Not consisting of an equal number of syllables; as, an imparisyllabic noun, one which has not the same number of syllables in all the cases; as, lapis, lapidis; mens, mentis.

Im*par"i*ty (?), n. [Pref. im- + parity: cf. F. imparité.] 1. Inequality; disparity; disproportion; difference of degree, rank, excellence, number, etc. Milton.

2. Lack of comparison, correspondence, or suitableness; incongruity.

In this region of merely intellectual notion we are at once encountered by the imparity of the object and the faculty employed upon it.
I. Taylor.

3. Indivisibility into equal parts; oddness. [R.]

Im*park" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imparked (?), p. pr. & vb. n. Imparking.] [Cf. Empark.] To inclose for a park; to sever from a common; hence, to inclose or shut up.

They . . . impark them [the sheep] within hurdles.
Holland.

Im*parl" (?), v. i. [OF. emparler; pref. em- (L. in) + parler to speak. See In, prep., and Parley.] 1. To hold discourse; to parley. [Obs.] Sir. T. North.

2. (Law) To have time before pleading; to have delay for mutual adjustment. Blackstone.

Im*par"lance (?), n. [Cf. Emparlance, Parlance.] [Written also inparliance.] 1. Mutual discourse; conference. [Obs.]

2. (Law) (a) Time given to a party to talk or converse with his opponent, originally with the object of effecting, if possible, an amicable adjustment of the suit. The actual object, however, has long been merely to obtain further time to plead, or answer to the allegations of the opposite party. (b) Hence, the delay or continuance of a suit.

&fist; Imparlance and continuance by imparlance have been abolished in England. Wharton (Law Dict. ).

Im*par`son*ee" (?), a. [OF. empersone. See 1st In-, and Parson.] (Eng. Eccl. Law) Presented, instituted, and inducted into a rectory, and in full possession. -- n. A clergyman so inducted.

Im*part" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imparted; p. pr. & vb. n. Imparting.] [OF. impartir, empartir, L. impartire, impertire; pref. im- in + partire to part, divide, fr. pars, partis, part, share. See Part, n. ] 1. To bestow a share or portion of; to give, grant, or communicate; to allow another to partake in; as, to impart food to the poor; the sun imparts warmth.

Well may he then to you his cares impart.
Dryden.

2. To obtain a share of; to partake of. [R.] Munday.

3. To communicate the knowledge of; to make known; to show by words or tokens; to tell; to disclose.

Gentle lady,
When I did first impart my love to you.
Shak.

Syn. -- To share; yield; confer; convey; grant; give; reveal; disclose; discover; divulge. See Communicate.

Im*part" (?), v. i. 1. To give a part or share.

He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none.
Luke iii. 11.

2. To hold a conference or consultation. Blackstone.

Im*part"ance (?), n. Impartation.

Im`par*ta"tion (?), n. The act of imparting, or the thing imparted.

The necessity of this impartation.
I. Taylor.

Im*part"er (?), n. One who imparts.

Im*par"tial (?), a. [Pref. im- not + partial: cf. F. impartial.] Not partial; not favoring one more than another; treating all alike; unprejudiced; unbiased; disinterested; equitable; fair; just. Shak.

Jove is impartial, and to both the same.
Dryden.

A comprehensive and impartial view.
Macaulay.

Im*par"tial*ist, n. One who is impartial. [R.] Boyle.

Im*par`ti*al"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. impartialité.] The quality of being impartial; freedom from bias or favoritism; disinterestedness; equitableness; fairness; as, impartiality of judgment, of treatment, etc.

Impartiality strips the mind of prejudice and passion.
South.

Im*par"tial*ly (?), a. In an impartial manner.

Im*par"tial*ness, n. Impartiality. Sir W. Temple.

Im*part`i*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality of being impartible; communicability. Blackstone.

Im*part`i*bil"i*ty, n. [Cf. F. impartibilité.] The quality of being incapable of division into parts; indivisibility. Holland.

Im*part"i*ble (?), a. [From Impart.] Capable of being imparted or communicated.

Im*part"i*ble, a. [Pref. im- not + partible: cf. F. impartible.] Not partible; not subject to partition; indivisible; as, an impartible estate. Blackstone.

Im*part"ment (?), n. The act of imparting, or that which is imparted, communicated, or disclosed. [R.]

It beckons you to go away with it,
As if it some impartment did desire
To you alone.
Shak.

Im*pass"a*ble (?), a. [Cf. Unpassable.] Incapable of being passed; not admitting a passage; as, an impassable road, mountain, or gulf. Milton. -- Im*pass"a*ble*ness, n. - - Im*pass"a*bly, adv.

Im*pas`si*bil"i*ty (?), a. [L. impassibilitas: cf. F. impassibilité.] The quality or condition of being impassible; insusceptibility of injury from external things.

Im*pas"si*ble (?), a. [L. impassibilis; pref. im- not + passibilis passable: cf. F. impassible. See Passible.] Incapable of suffering; inaccessible to harm or pain; not to be touched or moved to passion or sympathy; unfeeling, or not showing feeling; without sensation. "Impassible to the critic." Sir W. Scott.

Secure of death, I should contemn thy dart
Though naked, and impassible depart.
Dryden.

Im*pas"si*ble*ness, n. Impassibility.

Im*pas"sion (?), v. t. [Pref. im- in + passion. Cf. Empassion, Impassionate, v.] To move or affect strongly with passion. [Archaic] Chapman.

Im*pas"sion*a*ble (?), a. Excitable; susceptible of strong emotion.

Im*pas"sion*ate (?), a. Strongly affected. Smart.

Im*pas"sion*ate (?), v. t. To affect powerfully; to arouse the passions of. Dr. H. More.

Im*pas"sion*ate (?), a. [Pref. im- not + passionate.] Without passion or feeling. Burton.

Im*pas"sioned (?), p. p. & a. Actuated or characterized by passion or zeal; showing warmth of feeling; ardent; animated; excited; as, an impassioned orator or discourse.

Im*pas"sive (?), a. Not susceptible of pain or suffering; apathetic; impassible; unmoved.

Impassive as the marble in the quarry.
De Quincey.

On the impassive ice the lightings play.
Pope.

-- Im*pas"sive*ly, adv. -- Im*pas"sive*ness, n.

Im`pas*siv"i*ty (?), n. The quality of being insusceptible of feeling, pain, or suffering; impassiveness.

Im`pas*ta"tion (?), n. [F. See Impaste.] The act of making into paste; that which is formed into a paste or mixture; specifically, a combination of different substances by means of cements.

Im*paste" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impasted; p. pr. & vb. n. Impasting.] [Pref. im- in + paste: cf. It. impastare, OF. empaster, F. empâter. See 1st In- and Paste.] 1. To knead; to make into paste; to concrete. "Blood . . . baked and impasted." Shak.

2. (Paint.) To lay color on canvas by uniting them skillfully together. [R.] Cf. Impasto.

Im*past"ing, (Paint.) The laying on of colors to produce impasto.

Im*pas"to (?), n. [It. See Impaste.] (Paint.) The thickness of the layer or body of pigment applied by the painter to his canvas with especial reference to the juxtaposition of different colors and tints in forming a harmonious whole. Fairholt.

Im*pas"ture (?), v. t. To place in a pasture; to foster. [R.] T. Adams.

Im*pat"i*ble (?), a. [L. impatibilis; pref. im- not + patibilis supportable. See Patible.] 1. Not capable of being borne; impassible.

A spirit, and so impatible of material fire.
Fuller.

Im*pa"tience (?) n. [OE. impacience, F. impatience, fr. L. impatientia.] The quality of being impatient; want of endurance of pain, suffering, opposition, or delay; eagerness for change, or for something expected; restlessness; chafing of spirit; fretfulness; passion; as, the impatience of a child or an invalid.

I then, . . .
Out of my grief and my impatience,
Answered neglectingly.
Shak.

With huge impatience he inly swelt
More for great sorrow that he could not pass,
Than for the burning torment which he felt.
Spenser.

Im*pa"tien*cy (&ibreve;m*p&amc;"shen*s&ybreve;), n. Impatience. [Obs.]

||Im*pa"ti*ens (-sh&ibreve;*&ebreve;nz), n. [L., impatient.] (Bot.) A genus of plants, several species of which have very beautiful flowers; -- so called because the elastic capsules burst when touched, and scatter the seeds with considerable force. Called also touch-me-not, jewelweed, and snapweed. I. Balsamina (sometimes called lady's slipper) is the common garden balsam.

Im*pa"tient (?), a. [OE. impacient, F. impatient, fr. L. impatiens; pref. im- not + patiens patient. See Patient.] 1. Not patient; not bearing with composure; intolerant; uneasy; fretful; restless, because of pain, delay, or opposition; eager for change, or for something expected; hasty; passionate; -- often followed by at, for, of, and under.

A violent, sudden, and impatient necessity.
Jer. Taylor.

Fame, impatient of extremes, decays
Not more by envy than excess of praise.
Pope.

The impatient man will not give himself time to be informed of the matter that lies before him.
Addison.

Dryden was poor and impatient of poverty.
Macaulay.

2. Not to be borne; unendurable. [Obs.] Spenser.

3. Prompted by, or exhibiting, impatience; as, impatient speeches or replies. Shak.

Syn. -- Restless; uneasy; changeable; hot; eager; fretful; intolerant; passionate.

Im*pa"tient, n. One who is impatient. [R.]

Im*pa"tient*ly, adv. In an impatient manner.

Im*pat`ron*i*za"tion (?), n. Absolute seignory or possession; the act of investing with such possession. [R.] Cotgrave.

Im*pat"ron*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impatronized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Impatronizing (?).] To make lord or master; as, to impatronize one's self of a seigniory. [R.] Bacon.

Im*pave" (?), v. t. To pave. [Poetic]

Impaved with rude fidelity
Of art mosaic.
Wordsworth.

Im*pav"id (?), a. [L. impavidus. See In- not, and Pavid.] Fearless. -- Im*pav"id*ly, adv.

Im*pawn" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impawned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Impawning.] [Pref. im- + pawn: cf. Empawn.] To put in pawn; to pledge. Shak.

Im*peach" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impeached (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Impeaching.] [OE. empeechier to prevent, hinder, bar, F. empêcher, L. impedicare to entangle; pref. im- in + pedica fetter, fr. pes, pedis, foot. See Foot, and Appeach, Dispatch, Impede.] 1. To hinder; to impede; to prevent. [Obs.]

These ungracious practices of his sons did impeach his journey to the Holy Land.
Sir J. Davies.

A defluxion on my throat impeached my utterance.
Howell.

2. To charge with a crime or misdemeanor; to accuse; especially to charge (a public officer), before a competent tribunal, with misbehavior in office; to cite before a tribunal for judgment of official misconduct; to arraign; as, to impeach a judge. See Impeachment.

3. Hence, to charge with impropriety; to dishonor; to bring discredit on; to call in question; as, to impeach one's motives or conduct.

And doth impeach the freedom of the state.
Shak.

4. (Law) To challenge or discredit the credibility of, as of a witness, or the validity of, as of commercial paper.

&fist; When used in law with reference to a witness, the term signifies, to discredit, to show or prove unreliable or unworthy of belief; when used in reference to the credit of witness, the term denotes, to impair, to lessen, to disparage, to destroy. The credit of a witness may be impeached by showing that he has made statements out of court contradictory to what he swears at the trial, or by showing that his reputation for veracity is bad, etc.

Syn. -- To accuse; arraign; censure; criminate; indict; impair; disparage; discredit. See Accuse.

Im*peach", n. Hindrance; impeachment. [Obs.]

Im*peach"a*ble (?), a. That may be impeached; liable to impeachment; chargeable with a crime.

Owners of lands in fee simple are not impeachable for waste.
Z. Swift.

Im*peach"er (?), n. One who impeaches.

Im*peach"ment (?), n. [Cf. F. empêchement.] The act of impeaching, or the state of being impeached; as: (a) Hindrance; impediment; obstruction. [Obs.]

Willing to march on to Calais,
Without impeachment.
Shak.

(b) A calling to account; arraignment; especially, of a public officer for maladministration.

The consequence of Coriolanus' impeachment had like to have been fatal to their state.
Swift.

(c) A calling in question as to purity of motives, rectitude of conduct, credibility, etc.; accusation; reproach; as, an impeachment of motives. Shak.

&fist; In England, it is the privilege or right of the House of Commons to impeach, and the right of the House of Lords to try and determine impeachments. In the United States, it is the right of the House of Representatives to impeach, and of the Senate to try and determine impeachments.

Articles of impeachment. See under Article. -- Impeachment of waste (Law), restraint from, or accountability for, injury; also, a suit for damages for injury. Abbott.

Im*pearl" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impearled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Impearling.] [Pref. im- in + pearl: cf. F. emperler.] 1. To form into pearls, or into that which resembles pearls. [Poetic]

Dewdrops which the sun
Impearls on every leaf and every flower.
Milton.

2. To decorate as with pearls or with anything resembling pearls. [Poetic]

With morning dews impearled.
Mrs. Browning.

The dews of the morning impearl every thorn.
R. Digby.

Im*pec`ca*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. impeccabilité.] The quality of being impeccable; exemption from sin, error, or offense.

Infallibility and impeccability are two of his attributes.
Pope.

Im*pec"ca*ble (?), a. [L. impeccabilis; pref. im- not + peccare to err, to sin: cf. F. impeccable.] Not liable to sin; exempt from the possibility of doing wrong. -- n. One who is impeccable; esp., one of a sect of Gnostic heretics who asserted their sinlessness.

God is infallible, impeccable, and absolutely perfect.
P. Skelton.

Im*pec"can*cy (?), n. Sinlessness. Bp. Hall.

Im*pec"cant (?), a. Sinless; impeccable. Byron.

Im`pe*cu`ni*os"i*ty (?), n. The state of being impecunious. Thackeray. Sir W. Scott.

Im"pe*cu"ni*ous (?), a. [L. im- not + pecunia money: cf. F. impécunieux.] Not having money; habitually without money; poor.

An impecunious creature.
B. Jonson.

Im*pede" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impeded; p. pr. & vb. n. Impeding.] [L. impedire, lit., to entangle the feet; pref. im- in + pes, pedis, foot. See Foot, and cf. Impeach.] To hinder; to stop in progress; to obstruct; as, to impede the advance of troops.

Whatever hinders or impedes
The action of the nobler will.
Logfellow.

Im*ped"i*ble (?), a. Capable of being impeded or hindered. [R.] Jer. Taylor.

Im*ped"i*ment (?), n. [L. impedimentum: cf. F. impediment.] That which impedes or hinders progress, motion, activity, or effect.

Thus far into the bowels of the land
Have we marched on without impediment.
Shak.

Impediment in speech, a defect which prevents distinct utterance.

Syn. -- Hindrance; obstruction; obstacle; difficulty; incumbrance. -- Impediment, Obstacle, Difficulty, Hindrance. An impediment literally strikes against our feet, checking our progress, and we remove it. An obstacle rises before us in our path, and we surmount or remove it. A difficulty sets before us something hard to be done, and we encounter it and overcome it. A hindrance holds us back for a time, but we break away from it.

The eloquence of Demosthenes was to Philip of Macedon, a difficulty to be met with his best resources, an obstacle to his own ambition, and an impediment in his political career.
C. J. Smith.

Im*ped"i*ment, v. t. To impede. [R.] Bp. Reynolds.

Im*ped`i*men"tal (?), a. Of the nature of an impediment; hindering; obstructing; impeditive.

Things so impedimental to success.
G. H. Lewes.

Im"pe*dite (?), a. [L. impeditus, p. p. See Impede.] Hindered; obstructed. [R.] Jer. Taylor.

Im"pe*dite, v. t. To impede. [Obs.] Boyle.

Im"pe*di"tion (?), n. [L. impeditio.] A hindering; a hindrance. [Obs.] Baxier.

Im*ped"i*tive (?), a. [Cf. F. impéditif.] Causing hindrance; impeding. "Cumbersome, and impeditive of motion." Bp. Hall.

Im*pel" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impelled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Impelling.] [L. impellere; pref. im- in + pellere, pulsum, to drive. See Pulse a beat, and cf. Impulse.] To drive or urge forward or on; to press on; to incite to action or motion in any way.

The surge impelled me on a craggy coast.
Pope.

Syn. -- To instigate; incite; induce; influence; force; drive; urge; actuate; move.

Im*pel"lent (?), a. [L. impellens, p. pr. of impellere.] Having the quality of impelling.

Im*pel"lent, n. An impelling power or force. Glanvill.

Im*pel"ler (?), n. One who, or that which, impels.

Im*pen" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impenned (?) and Impent (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Impenning.] To shut up or inclose, as in a pen. Feltham.

Im*pend" (?), v. t. [L. impend&ebreve;re; pref. im- in + pend&ebreve;re to weigh out, pay.] To pay. [Obs.] Fabyan.

Im*pend", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Impended; p. pr. & vb. n. Impending.] [L. impendēre; pref. im- in + pendēre to hang. See Pendant.] To hang over; to be suspended above; to threaten from near at hand; to menace; to be imminent. See Imminent.

Destruction sure o'er all your heads impends.
Pope.

{ Im*pend"ence (?), Im*pend"en*cy (?), } n. The state of impending; also, that which impends. "Impendence of volcanic cloud." Ruskin.

Im*pend"ent (?), a. [L. impendens, p. pr. of impendēre.] Impending; threatening.

Impendent horrors, threatening hideous fall.
Milton.

Im*pend"ing, a. Hanging over; overhanging; suspended so as to menace; imminet; threatening.

An impending brow.
Hawthorne.

And nodding Ilion waits th' impending fall.
Pope.

Syn. -- Imminent; threatening. See Imminent.

Im*pen`e*tra*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. impénétrabilité.] 1. Quality of being impenetrable.

2. (Physics) That property in virtue of which two portions of matter can not at the same time occupy the same portion of space.

3. Insusceptibility of intellectual or emotional impression; obtuseness; stupidity; coldness.

Im*pen"e*tra*ble (?), a. [L. impenetrabilis; pref. im- not + penetrabilis penetrable: cf. F. impénétrable.] 1. Incapable of being penetrated or pierced; not admitting the passage of other bodies; not to be entered; impervious; as, an impenetrable shield.

Highest woods impenetrable
To star or sunlight.
Milton.

2. (Physics) Having the property of preventing any other substance from occupying the same space at the same time.

3. Inaccessible, as to knowledge, reason, sympathy, etc.; unimpressible; not to be moved by arguments or motives; as, an impenetrable mind, or heart.

They will be credulous in all affairs of life, but impenetrable by a sermon of the gospel.
Jer. Taylor.

Im*pen"e*tra*ble*ness (?), n. The quality of being impenetrable; impenetrability.

Im*pen"e*tra*bly, adv. In an impenetrable manner or state; imperviously. "Impenetrably armed." Milton. "Impenetrably dull." Pope.

Im*pen"i*tence (?), n. [L. impenitentia: cf. F. impénitence.] The condition of being impenitent; failure or refusal to repent; hardness of heart.

He will advance from one degree of wickedness and impenitence to another.
Rogers.

Im*pen"i*ten*cy (?), n. Impenitence. Milton.

Im*pen"i*tent (?), a. [L. impaenitens; pref. im- not + paenitens penitens: cf. F. impénitent. See Penitent.] Not penitent; not repenting of sin; not contrite; of a hard heart. "They . . . died impenitent." Milton. "A careless and impenitent heart." Bp. Hall.

Im*pen"i*tent, n. One who is not penitent. [R.]

Im*pen"i*tent*ly, adv. Without repentance.

Im*pen"nate (?), a. (Zoöl.) Characterized by short wings covered with feathers resembling scales, as the penguins. -- n. One of the Impennes.

||Im*pen"nes (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. L. pref. im- not + penna feather.] (Zoöl.) An order of birds, including only the penguins, in which the wings are without quills, and not suited for flight.

Im*pen"nous (?) a. [L. pref. im- not + penna wing.] (Zoöl.) Having no wings, as some insects.

Im*peo"ple (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impeopled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Impeopling (?).] [See Empeople.] To people; to give a population to. [Obs.]

Thou hast helped to impeople hell.
Beaumont.

Im"pe*rant (?), a. [L. imperans, p. pr. of imperare to command.] Commanding. [R.] Baxter.

Im"pe*rate (?), a. [L. imperatus, p. p. of imperare to command.] Done by express direction; not involuntary; communded. [Obs.]

Those imperate acts, wherein we see the empire of the soul.
Sir M. Hale.

Im*per`a*ti"val (?), a. (Gram.) Of or pertaining to the imperative mood.

Im*per"a*tive (?), a. [L. imperativus, fr. imperare to command; pref. im- in + parare to make ready, prepare: cf. F. impératif. See Perade, and cf. Empire.] 1. Expressive of command; containing positive command; authoritatively or absolutely directive; commanding; authoritative; as, imperative orders.

The suit of kings are imperative.
Bp. Hall.

2. Not to be avoided or evaded; obligatory; binding; compulsory; as, an imperative duty or order.

3. (Gram.) Expressive of commund, entreaty, advice, or exhortation; as, the imperative mood.

Im*per"a*tive, n. (Gram.) The imperative mood; also, a verb in the imperative mood.

Im*per"a*tive*ly, adv. In an imperative manner.

||Im`pe*ra"tor (?), n. [L. See Emperor.] (Rom. Antiq.) A commander; a leader; an emperor; -- originally an appellation of honor by which Roman soldiers saluted their general after an important victory. Subsequently the title was conferred as a recognition of great military achievements by the senate, whence it carried wiht it some special privileges. After the downfall of the Republic it was assumed by Augustus and his successors, and came to have the meaning now attached to the word emperor.

Im*per`a*to"ri*al (?), a. [L. imperatorius.] 1. Commanding; imperative; authoritative.

2. Of or pertaining to the title or office of imperator. "Imperatorial laurels." C. Merivale.

Im*per`a*to"ri*an (?), a. Imperial. [R.] Gauden.

Im*per"a*to*ry (?), a. Imperative. [R.]

Im`per*ceiv"a*ble (?), a. Imperceptible. [R.] South. -- Im`per*ceiv"a*ble*ness, n. Sharp.

Im`per*ceived" (?), a. Not perceived. [Obs.]

Im`per*cep`ti*bil"i*ty (?), n. The state or quality of being imperceptible.

Im`per*cep"ti*ble (?), a. [Pref. im- not + perceptible: cf. F. imperceptible.] Not perceptible; not to be apprehended or cognized by the senses; not discernible by the mind; not easily apprehended.

Almost imperceptible to the touch.
Dryden.

Its operation is slow, and in some cases almost imperceptible.
Burke.

-- Im`per*cep"ti*ble*ness, n. -- Im`per*cep"ti*bly, adv.

Their . . . subtilty and imperceptibleness.
Sir M. Hale.

Im`per*cep"tion (?), n. Want of perception.

Im`per*cep"tive (?), a. Unable to perceive.

The imperceptive part of the soul.
Dr. H. More.

Im`per*cip"i*ent (?), a. Not perceiving, or not able to perceive. A. Baxter.

Im*per`di*bil"i*ty (?), n. The state or quality of being imperdible. [Obs.] Derham.

Im*per"di*ble (?), a. [Pref. im- not + L. perdere to destroy.] Not destructible. [Obs.] -- Im*per"di*bly, adv. [Obs.]

Im*per"fect (?), a. [L. imperfectus: pref. im- not + perfectus perfect: cf. F imparfait, whence OE. imparfit. See Perfect.] 1. Not perfect; not complete in all its parts; wanting a part; deective; deficient.

Something he left imperfect in the state.
Shak.

Why, then, your other senses grow imperfect.
Shak.

2. Wanting in some elementary organ that is essential to successful or normal activity.

He . . . stammered like a child, or an amazed, imperfect person.
Jer. Taylor.

3. Not fulfilling its design; not realizing an ideal; not conformed to a standard or rule; not satisfying the taste or conscience; esthetically or morally defective.

Nothing imperfect or deficient left
Of all that he created.
Milton.

Then say not man's imperfect, Heaven in fault;
Say rather, man's as perfect as he ought.
Pope.

Imperfect arch, an arch of less than a semicircle; a skew arch. -- Imperfect cadence (Mus.), one not ending with the tonic, but with the dominant or some other chord; one not giving complete rest; a half close. -- Imperfect consonances (Mus.), chords like the third and sixth, whose ratios are less simple than those of the fifth and forth. -- Imperfect flower (Bot.), a flower wanting either stamens or pistils. Gray. -- Imperfect interval (Mus.), one a semitone less than perfect; as, an imperfect fifth. -- Imperfect number (Math.), a number either greater or less than the sum of its several divisors; in the former case, it is called also a defective number; in the latter, an abundant number. -- Imperfect obligations (Law), obligations as of charity or gratitude, which cannot be enforced by law. -- Imperfect power (Math.), a number which can not be produced by taking any whole number or vulgar fraction, as a factor, the number of times indicated by the power; thus, 9 is a perfect square, but an imperfect cube. -- Imperfect tense (Gram.), a tense expressing past time and incomplete action.

Im*per"fect (?), n. (Gram.) The imperfect tense; or the form of a verb denoting the imperfect tense.

Im*per"fect, v. t. To make imperfect. [Obs.]

Im`per*fec`ti*bil"i*ty (?), n. The state or quality of being imperfectible. [R.]

Im`per*fec"ti*ble (?), a. Incapable of being made perfect. [R.]

Im`per*fec"tion (?), n. [L. imperfectio: cf. F. imperfection. See Imperfect, a.] The quality or condition of being imperfect; want of perfection; incompleteness; deficiency; fault or blemish.

Sent to my account
With all my imperfections on my head.
Shak.

Syn. -- Defect; deficiency; incompleteness; fault; failing; weakness; frailty; foible; blemish; vice.

Im*per"fect*ness, n. The state of being imperfect.

Im*per"fo*ra*ble (?), a. [See Imperforate.] Incapable of being perforated, or bored through.

||Im*per"fo*ra"ta (?), n. pl. [NL. See Imperforate.] (Zoöl.) A division of Foraminifera, including those in which the shell is not porous.

{ Im*per"fo*rate (?), Im*per"fo*ra"ted (?), } a. [L. pref. im- not + perforatus, p. p. of perforate to perforate. See Perforate.] Not perforated; having no opening or aperture. Sir J. Banks.

Im*per`fo*ra"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. imperforation.] The state of being without perforation.

Im*pe"ri*al (?), a. [OE. emperial, OF. emperial, F. impérial, fr. L. imperialis, fr. imperium command, sovereignty, empire. See Empire.] 1. Of or pertaining to an empire, or to an emperor; as, an imperial government; imperial authority or edict.

The last
That wore the imperial diadem of Rome.
Shak.

2. Belonging to, or suitable to, supreme authority, or one who wields it; royal; sovereign; supreme. "The imperial democracy of Athens." Mitford.

Who, as Ulysses says, opinion crowns
With an imperial voice.
Shak.

To tame the proud, the fetter'd slave to free,
These are imperial arts, and worthy thee.
Dryden.

He sounds his imperial clarion along the whole line of battle.
E. Everett.

3. Of superior or unusual size or excellence; as, imperial paper; imperial tea, etc.

Imperial bushel, gallon, etc. See Bushel, Gallon, etc. -- Imperial chamber, the, the sovereign court of the old German empire. -- Imperial city, under the first German empire, a city having no head but the emperor. -- Imperial diet, an assembly of all the states of the German empire. -- Imperial drill. (Manuf.) See under 8th Drill. -- Imperial eagle. (Zoöl.) See Eagle. -- Imperial green. See Paris green, under Green. -- Imperial guard, the royal guard instituted by Napoleon I. - - Imperial weights and measures, the standards legalized by the British Parliament.

Im*pe"ri*al, n. [F. impériale: cf. Sp. imperial.]

1. The tuft of hair on a man's lower lip and chin; -- so called from the style of beard of Napoleon III.

2. An outside seat on a diligence. T. Hughes.

3. A luggage case on the top of a coach. Simmonds.

4. Anything of unusual size or excellence, as a large decanter, a kind of large photograph, a large sheet of drawing, printing, or writing paper, etc.

5. A gold coin of Russia worth ten rubles, or about eight dollars. McElrath.

6. A kind of fine cloth brought into England from Greece. or other Eastern countries, in the Middle Ages.

Im*pe"ri*al*ism (?), n. The power or character of an emperor; imperial authority; the spirit of empire.

Roman imperialism had divided the world.
C. H. Pearson.

Im*pe"ri*al*ist, n. [Cf. F. impérialiste.] One who serves an emperor; one who favors imperialism.

Im*pe`ri*al"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Imperialities (&?;).

1. Imperial power.

2. An imperial right or privilegs. See Royalty.

The late empress having, by ukases of grace, relinquished her imperialities on the private mines, viz., the tenths of the copper, iron, silver and gold.
W. Tooke.

Im*pe"ri*al*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imperialized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Imperializing (?).] To invest with imperial authority, character, or style; to bring to the form of an empire. Fuller.

Im*pe"ri*al*ly, adv. In an imperial manner.

Im*pe"ri*al*ly (?), n. Imperial power. [R.] Sheldon.

Im*per"il (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imperiled (?) or Imperilled; p. pr. & vb. n. Imperiling or Imperilling.] To bring into peril; to endanger.

Im*per"il*ment (?), n. The act of imperiling, or the state of being imperiled.

Im*pe"ri*ous (?), a. [L. imperiosus: cf. F. impérieux. See Imperial.] 1. Commanding; ascendant; imperial; lordly; majestic. [Obs.] "A vast and imperious mind." Tilloison.

Therefore, great lords, be, as your titles witness,
Imperious.
Shak.

2. Haughly; arrogant; overbearing; as, an imperious tyrant; an imperious manner.

This imperious man will work us all
From princes into pages.
Shak.

His bold, contemptuous, and imperious spirit soon made him conspicuous.
Macaulay.

3. Imperative; urgent; compelling.

Imperious need, which can not be withstood.
Dryden.

Syn. -- Dictatorial; haughty; domineering; overbearing; lordly; tyrannical; despotic; arrogant; imperative; authoritative; commanding; pressing. -- Imperious, Lordly, Domineering. One who is imperious exercises his authority in a manner highly offensive for its spirit and tone; one who is lordly assumes a lofty air in order to display his importance; one who is domineering gives orders in a way to make others feel their inferiority.

Im*pe"ri*ous*ly, adv. In an imperious manner.

Im*pe"ri*ous*ness, n. The quality or state of being imperious; arrogance; haughtiness.

Imperiousness and severity is but an ill way of treating men who have reason of their own to guide them.
Locke.

Im*per`ish*a*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality of being imperishable: indstructibility. "The imperishability of the universe." Milman.

Im*per"ish*a*ble (?), a. [Pref. im- not + perishable: cf. F. impérissable.] Not perishable; not subject to decay; indestructible; enduring permanently; as, an imperishable monument; imperishable renown. -- Im*per"ish*a*ble*ness, n. -- Im*per"ish*a*bly, adv.

Im*per"i"wigged (?), a. Wearing a periwig.

{ Im*per"ma*nence (?), Im*per"ma*nen*cy (?), } n. lack of permanence.

Im*per"ma*nent (?), a. Not permanent.

Im*per`me*a*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Pref. im- not + permeability: cf. F. imperméabilité.] The quality of being impermeable.

Im*per"me*a*ble (?), a. [Pref. im- not + permeable: cf. F. imperméable, L. impermeabilis.] Not permeable; not permitting passage, as of a fluid. through its substance; impervious; impenetrable; as, India rubber is impermeable to water and to air. -- Im*per"me*a*ble*ness, n. -- Im*per"me*a*bly, adv.

Im`per*mis"si*ble (?), a. Not permissible.

Im`per*scru"ta*ble (?), a. [L. imperscrutabilis.] Not capable of being searched out; inscrutable. [Obs.] -- Im`per*scru"ta*ble*ness, n. [Obs.]

Im`per*sev"er*ant (?), a. Not persevering; fickle; thoughtless. [Obs.]

Im*per"son*al (?), a. [L. impersonalis; pref. im- not + personalis personal: cf. F. impersonnel. See Personal.] Not personal; not representing a person; not having personality.

An almighty but impersonal power, called Fate.
Sir J. Stephen.

Impersonal verb (Gram.), a verb used with an indeterminate subject, commonly, in English, with the impersonal pronoun it; as, it rains; it snows; methinks (it seems to me). Many verbs which are not strictly impersonal are often used impersonally; as, it goes well with him.

Im*per"son*al, n. That which wants personality; specifically (Gram.), an impersonal verb.

Im*per`son*al"i*ty (?), n. The quality of being impersonal; want or absence of personality.

Im*per"son*al*ly (?), adv. In an impersonal manner.

Im*per"son*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impersonated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Impersonating.] 1. To invest with personality; to endow with the form of a living being.

2. To ascribe the qualities of a person to; to personify.

3. To assume, or to represent, the person or character of; to personate; as, he impersonated Macbeth.

Benedict impersonated his age.
Milman.

{ Im*per`son*a"tion (?), Im`per*son`i*fi*ca"tion (?), } n. The act of impersonating; personification; investment with personality; representation in a personal form.

Im*per"son*a`tor (?), n. One who impersonates; an actor; a mimic.

Im*per`spi*cu"i*ty (?), n. Want of perspicuity or clearness; vagueness; ambiguity.

Im`per*spic"u*ous (?), a. Not perspicuous; not clear; obscure; vague; ambiguous.

Im`per*suad"a*ble (?), a. [Cf. Impersuasible.] Not to be persuaded; obstinate; unyielding; impersuasible. -- Im`per*suad"a*ble*ness, n.

Im`per*sua"si*ble (?), a. [Pref. im- not + persuasible: cf. OF. impersuasible.] Not persuasible; not to be moved by persuasion; inflexible; impersuadable. Dr. H. More. -- Im`per*sua`si*bil"i*ty (#), n.

Im*per"ti*nence (?), n. [Cf. F. impertinence. See Impertinent.] 1. The condition or quality of being impertinent; absence of pertinence, or of adaptedness; irrelevance; unfitness.

2. Conduct or language unbecoming the person, the society, or the circumstances; rudeness; incivility.

We should avoid the vexation and impertinence of pedants who affect to talk in a language not to be understood.
Swift.

3. That which is impertinent; a thing out of place, or of no value.

There are many subtile impertinences learned in schools.
Watts.

Im*per"ti*nen*cy (?), n. Impertinence. [R.]

O, matter and impertinency mixed!
Reason in madness!
Shak.

Im*per"ti*nent (?), a. [F., fr. L. impertinens, -entis; pref. im- not + pertinens. See Pertinent.] 1. Not pertinent; not pertaining to the matter in hand; having no bearing on the subject; not to the point; irrelevant; inapplicable.

Things that are impertinent to us.
Tillotson.

How impertinent that grief was which served no end!
Jer. Taylor.

2. Contrary to, or offending against, the rules of propriety or good breeding; guilty of, or prone to, rude, unbecoming, or uncivil words or actions; as, an impertient coxcomb; an impertient remark.

3. Trifing; inattentive; frivolous.

Syn. -- Rude; officious; intrusive; saucy; unmannerly; meddlesome; disrespectful; impudent; insolent. -- Impertinent, Officious, Rude. A person is officious who obtrudes his offices or assistance where they are not needed; he is impertinent when he intermeddles in things with which he has no concern. The former shows a want of tact, the latter a want of breeding, or, more commonly, a spirit of sheer impudence. A person is rude when he violates the proprieties of social life either from ignorance or wantonness. "An impertinent man will ask questions for the mere gratification of curiosity; a rude man will burst into the room of another, or push against his person, inviolant of all decorum; one who is officious is quite as unfortunate as he is troublesome; when he strives to serve, he has the misfortune to annoy." Crabb. See Impudence, and Insolent.

Im*per"ti*nent, n. An impertinent person. [R.]

Im*per"ti*nent*ly, adv. In an impertinent manner. "Not to betray myself impertinently." B. Jonson.

Im`per*tran`si*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being impertransible. [R.]

Im`per*tran"si*ble (?), a. [L. pref. im- not + pertransire to go through. See Per- and Transient.] Incapable of being passed through. [R.]

Im`per*turb`a*bil"i*ty (?), n. The state or quality of being imperturbable.
[1913 Webster]

Im`per*turb"a*ble (?), a. [L. imperturbabilis; pref. im- not + perturbare to disturb: cf. F. imperturbable. See Perture.] Incapable of being disturbed or disconcerted; as, imperturbable gravity.

Im`per*turb"a*bly, adv. In an imperturbable manner; calmly. C. Bronté.

Im*per`tur*ba"tion (?), n. [L. imperturbatio.] Freedom from agitation of mind; calmness; quietude. W. Montagu.

Im`per*turbed" (?), a. Not perturbed.

Im*per`vi*a*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality of being imperviable.

Im*per"vi*a*ble (?), a. Not pervious; impervious. [R.] -- Im*per"vi*a*ble*ness, n. [R.]

Im*per"vi*ous (?), a. [L. impervius; pref. im- not + per through + via way. See Voyage.] Not pervious; not admitting of entrance or passage through; as, a substance impervious to water or air.

This gulf impassable, impervious.
Milton.

The minds of these zealots were absolutely impervious.
Macaulay.

Syn. -- Impassable; pathless; impenetrable; imperviable; impermeable.

-- Im*per"vi*ous*ly, adv. -- Im*per"vi*ous*ness, n.

Im"per*y (?), n. Empery. [Archaic] Joye.

Im*pest" (?), v. t. To affict with pestilence; to infect, as with plague. [Obs.]

Im*pes"ter (?), v. t. See Pester. [Obs.]

Im`pe*tig"i*nous (?), a. [L. impetiginous: cf. F. impétigineux.] Of the nature of, or pertaining to, impetigo.

||Im`pe*ti"go (?), n. [L., fr. impetere to attack.] (Med.) A cutaneous, pustular eruption, not attended with fever; usually, a kind of eczema with pustulation.

Im"pe*tra*ble (?) a. [L. impetrabilis: cf. F. impétrable. See Impetrate.] Capable of being obtained or moved by petition. [Obs.] Bailey.

Im"pe*trate (?), a. [L. impetratus, p. p. of impetrare to obtain; pref. im- in + patrare to bring to pass.] Obtained by entreaty. [Obs.] Ld. Herbert.

Im"pe*trate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impetrated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Impetrating (?).] To obtain by request or entreaty. Usher.

Im`pe*tra"tion (?), n. [L. impetratio: cf. F. impétration.] 1. The act of impetrating, or obtaining by petition or entreaty. [Obs.]

In way of impertation procuring the removal or allevation of our crosses.
Barrow.

2. (Old Eng. Law) The obtaining of benefice from Rome by solicitation, which benefice belonged to the disposal of the king or other lay patron of the realm.

Im"pe*tra*tive (?), a. [L. impetrativus obtained by entreaty.] Of the nature of impetration; getting, or tending to get, by entreaty. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

Im"pe*tra*to*ry (?), a. Containing or expressing entreaty. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.

Im*pet`u*os"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. impétuosité.] 1. The condition or quality of being impetuous; fury; violence.

2. Vehemence, or furiousnes of temper. Shak.

Im*pet"u*ous (?), a. [F. impetueux, L. impetuosus. See Impetus.] 1. Rushing with force and violence; moving with impetus; furious; forcible; violent; as, an impetuous wind; an impetuous torrent.

Went pouring forward with impetuous speed.
Byron.

2. Vehement in feeling; hasty; passionate; violent; as, a man of impetuous temper.

The people, on their holidays,
Impetuous, insolent, unquenchable.
Milton.

Syn. -- Forcible; rapid; hasty; precipitate; furious; boisterous; violent; raging; fierce; passionate.

-- Im*pet"u*ous*ly, adv. -- Im*pet"u*ous*ness, n.

Im"pe*tus (?), n. [L., fr. impetere to rush upon, attack; pref. im- in + petere to fall upon, seek. See Petition.] 1. A property possessed by a moving body in virtue of its weight and its motion; the force with which any body is driven or impelled; momentum.

&fist; Momentum is the technical term, impetus its popular equivalent, yet differing from it as applied commonly to bodies moving or moved suddenly or violently, and indicating the origin and intensity of the motion, rather than its quantity or effectiveness.

2. Fig.: Impulse; incentive; vigor; force. Buckle.

3. (Gun.) The altitude through which a heavy body must fall to acquire a velocity equal to that with which a ball is discharged from a piece.

Im"pey*an pheas"ant (&ibreve;m"p&ibreve;*an f&ebreve;z"ant). [From Lady Impey, who attempted to naturalize the bird in England.] (Zoöl.) An Indian crested pheasant of the genus Lophophorus. Several species are known. Called also monaul, monal.

&fist; They are remarkable for the bright color and brilliant matallic hues of their plumage. The best known species (L. Impeyanus) has the neck of a brilliant metallic red, changing to golden yellow in certain lights.

Im"phee (&ibreve;m"fē), n. (Bot.) The African sugar cane (Holcus saccharatus), -- resembling the sorghum, or Chinese sugar cane.

Im*pic"tured (&ibreve;m*p&ibreve;k"t&usl;rd; 135), a. Pictured; impressed. [Obs.] Spenser.

Im*pierce" (&ibreve;m*pērs"), v. t. [Pref. im- in + pierce. Cf. Empierce.] To pierce; to penetrate. [Obs.] Drayton.

Im*pierce"a*ble (-&adot;*b'l) a. Not capable of being pierced; impenetrable. [Obs.] Spenser.

Im*pi"e*ty (&ibreve;m*pī"&esl;*t&ybreve;), n.; pl. Impieties (- t&ibreve;z). [L. impietas, fr. impius impious; cf. F. impiété. See Impious, Piety.] 1. The quality of being impious; want of piety; irreverence toward the Supreme Being; ungodliness; wickedness.

2. An impious act; an act of wickedness.

Those impieties for the which they are now visited.
Shak.

Syn. -- Ungodliness; irreligion; unrighteousness; sinfulness; profaneness; wickedness; godlessness.

Im*pig"no*rate (&ibreve;m*p&ibreve;g"n&osl;*rāt), v. t. [LL. impignoratus, p. pl of impignorare to pawn. See Pignoration.] To pledge or pawn. [Obs.] Laing.

Im*pig`no*ra"tion (-rā"shŭn), n. [LL. impignoratio: cf. F. impignoration.] The act of pawning or pledging; the state of being pawned. [Obs.] Bailey.

Imp"ing (&ibreve;mp"&ibreve;ng), n. [See Imp to graft.] 1. The act or process of grafting or mending. [Archaic]

2. (Falconry) The process of repairing broken feathers or a deficient wing.

Im*pinge" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impinged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Impinging (?).] [L. impingere; pref. im- in + pangere to fix, strike; prob. akin to pacisci to agree, contract. See Pact, and cf. Impact.] To fall or dash against; to touch upon; to strike; to hit; to clash with; -- with on or upon.

The cause of reflection is not the impinging of light on the solid or impervious parts of bodies.
Sir I. Newton.

But, in the present order of things, not to be employed without impinging on God's justice.
Bp. Warburton.

Im*pinge"ment (?), n. The act of impinging.

Im*pin"gent (?), a. [L. impingens, p. pr.] Striking against or upon.

Im*pin"guate (?), v. t. [L. impinguatus, p. p. of impinguare to fatten; pref. im- in + pinguis fat.] To fatten; to make fat. [Obs.] Bacon.

Im`pin*gua"tion (?), n. The act of making fat, or the state of being fat or fattened. [Obs.]

Im"pi*ous (?), a. [L. impius; pref. im- not + pius piou. See Pious.] Not pious; wanting piety; irreligious; irreverent; ungodly; profane; wanting in reverence for the Supreme Being; as, an impious deed; impious language.

When vice prevails, and impious men bear away,
The post of honor is a private station.
Addison.

Syn. -- Impious, Irreligious, Profane. Irreligious is negative, impious and profane are positive. An indifferent man may be irreligious; a profane man is irreverent in speech and conduct; an impious man is wickedly and boldly defiant in the strongest sense. Profane also has the milder sense of secular. C. J. Smith.

-- Im"pi*ous*ly, adv. -- Im"pi*ous*ness, n.

Im"pire (?), n. See Umpire. [Obs.] Huloet.

Imp"ish (&ibreve;mp"&ibreve;sh), a. Having the qualities, or showing the characteristics, of an imp.

Imp"ish*ly, adv. In the manner of an imp.

Im*pit"e*ous (?), a. Pitiless; cruel. [Obs.]

Im*pla`ca*bil"i*ty (?), n. [L. implacabilitas: cf. F. implacabilité.] The quality or state of being implacable.

Im*pla"ca*ble (?), a. [L. implacabilis; pref. im- not + placabilis: cf. F. implacable. See Placable.] 1. Not placable; not to be appeased; incapable of being pacified; inexorable; as, an implacable prince.

I see thou art implacable.
Milton.

An object of implacable enmity.
Macaulay.

2. Incapable of being relieved or assuaged; inextinguishable. [R.]

O! how I burn with implacable fire.
Spenser.

Which wrought them pain
Implacable, and many a dolorous groan.
Milton.

Syn. -- Unappeasable; inexorable; irreconcilable; unrelenting; relentless; unyielding.

Im*pla"ca*ble*ness (?), n. The quality of being implacable; implacability.

Im*pla"ca*bly, adv. In an implacable manner.

Im`pla*cen"tal (?), a. (Zoöl.) Without a placenta, as marsupials and monotremes. -- n. A mammal having no placenta.

||Im`pla*cen*ta"li*a (?), n. pl. [NL. See In- not, and Placental.] (Zoöl.) A primary division of the Mammalia, including the monotremes and marsupials, in which no placenta is formed.

Im*plant" (?) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Implanted; p. pr. & vb. n. Implanting.] [Pref. im- in + plant: cf. F. implanter.] To plant, or infix, for the purpose of growth; to fix deeply; to instill; to inculate; to introduce; as, to implant the seeds of virtue, or the principles of knowledge, in the minds of youth.

Minds well implanted with solid . . . breeding.
Milton.

Im`plan*ta"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. implantation.] The act or process of implanting.

Im*plate" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Implated; p. pr. & vb. n. Implating.] To cover with plates; to sheathe; as, to implate a ship with iron.

Im*plau`si*bil"i*ty (?), n. Want of plausibility; the quality of being implausible.

Im*plau"si*ble (?), a. [Pref. im- not + plausible: cf. F. implausible.] Not plausible; not wearing the appearance of truth or credibility, and not likely to be believed. "Implausible harangues." Swift.

-- Im*plau"si*ble*ness, n. -- Im*plau"si*bly, adv.

Im*pleach" (?), v. t. To pleach; to interweave. [Obs.] Shak.

Im*plead" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impleaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Impleading.] [Cf. Emplead.] (Law) To institute and prosecute a suit against, in court; to sue or prosecute at law; hence, to accuse; to impeach.

Im*plead", v. i. To sue at law.

Im*plead"a*ble (?), a. Not admitting excuse, evasion, or plea; rigorous. [R.] T. Adams.

Im*plead"er (?), n. (Law) One who prosecutes or sues another.

Im*pleas"ing (&?;), a. Unpleasing; displeasing. [Obs.] Overbury.

Im*pledge" (?), v. t. To pledge. Sir W. Scott.

Im"ple*ment (&ibreve;m"pl&esl;*ment), n. [LL. implementum accomplishment, fr. L. implere, impletum, to fill up, finish, complete; pref. im- in + plere to fill. The word was perh. confused with OF. empleier, emploier, to employ, F. employer, whence E. employ. See Plenty.] That which fulfills or supplies a want or use; esp., an instrument, tool, or utensil, as supplying a requisite to an end; as, the implements of trade, of husbandry, or of war.

Genius must have talent as its complement and implement.
Coleridge.

Im"ple*ment, v. t. 1. To accomplish; to fulfill. [R.]

Revenge . . . executed and implemented by the hand of Vanbeest Brown.
Sir W. Scott.

2. To provide with an implement or implements; to cause to be fulfilled, satisfied, or carried out, by means of an implement or implements.

The chief mechanical requisites of the barometer are implemented in such an instrument as the following.
Nichol.

3. (Scots Law) To fulfill or perform, as a contract or an engagement.

Im`ple*men"tal (?), a. Pertaining to, or characterized by, implements or their use; mechanical.

Im*ple"tion (?), n. [L. impletio. See Implement.] 1. The act of filling, or the state of being full. Sir T. Browne.

2. That which fills up; filling. Coleridge.

Im"plex (?), a. [L. implexus, p. p. of implectere to infold; pref. im- in + plectere to plait: cf. F implexe.] Intricate; entangled; complicated; complex.

The fable of every poem is . . . simple or implex. it is called simple when there is no change of fortune in it; implex, when the fortune of the chief actor changes from bad to good, or from good to bad.
Addison.

Im*plex"ion (?), n. [L. implexio.] Act of involving, or state of being involved; involution.

Im*pli"a*ble (?), a. Not pliable; inflexible; unyielding.

Im"pli*cate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Implicated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Implicating.] [L. implicatus, p. p. of implicare to involve; pref. im- in + plicare to fold. See Employ, Ply, and cf. Imply, Implicit.] 1. To infold; to fold together; to interweave.

The meeting boughs and implicated leaves.
Shelley.

2. To bring into connection with; to involve; to connect; -- applied to persons, in an unfavorable sense; as, the evidence implicates many in this conspiracy; to be implicated in a crime, a discreditable transaction, a fault, etc.

Im`pli*ca"tion (?), n. [L. implicatio: cf. F. implication.] 1. The act of implicating, or the state of being implicated.

Three principal causes of firmness are. the grossness, the quiet contact, and the implication of component parts.
Boyle.

2. An implying, or that which is implied, but not expressed; an inference, or something which may fairly be understood, though not expressed in words.

Whatever things, therefore, it was asserted that the king might do, it was a necessary implication that there were other things which he could not do.
Hallam.

Im"pli*ca*tive (?), a. Tending to implicate.

Im"pli*ca*tive*ly, adv. By implication. Sir G. Buck.

Im*plic"it (?), a. [L. implicitus, p. p. of implicare to entwine, entangle, attach closely: cf. F. implicite. See Implicate.] 1. Infolded; entangled; complicated; involved. [Obs.] Milton.

In his woolly fleece
I cling implicit.
Pope.

2. Tacitly comprised; fairly to be understood, though not expressed in words; implied; as, an implicit contract or agreement. South.

3. Resting on another; trusting in the word or authority of another, without doubt or reserve; unquestioning; complete; as, implicit confidence; implicit obedience.

Back again to implicit faith I fall.
Donne.

Implicit function. (Math.) See under Function.

Im*plic"it*ly (?), adv. 1. In an implicit manner; without reserve; with unreserved confidence.

Not to dispute the methods of his providence, but humbly and implicitly to acquiesce in and adore them.
Atterbury.

2. By implication; impliedly; as, to deny the providence of God is implicitly to deny his existence. Bentley.

Im*plic"it*ness, n. State or quality of being implicit.

Im*plic"i*ty (?), n. Implicitness. [Obs.] Cotgrave.

Im*plied" (?), a. Virtually involved or included; involved in substance; inferential; tacitly conceded; -- the correlative of express, or expressed. See Imply.

Im*pli"ed*ly (?), adv. By implication or inference. Bp. Montagu.

Im*plod"ed (?), a. (Phon.) Formed by implosion. Ellis.

Im*plod"ent (?), n. (Phon.) An implosive sound. Ellis.

Im`plo*ra"tion (?), n. [L. imploratio: cf. OF. imploration. See Implore.] The act of imploring; earnest supplication. Bp. Hall.

Im"plo*ra`tor (?), n. One who implores. [Obs.]

Mere implorators of unholy suits.
Shak.

Im*plor"a*to*ry (?), a. Supplicatory; entreating. [R.] Carlyle.

Im*plore" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Implored (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Imploring.] [L. implorare; pref. im- in + plorare to cry aloud. See Deplore.] To call upon, or for, in supplication; to beseech; to pray to, or for, earnestly; to petition with urgency; to entreat; to beg; -- followed directly by the word expressing the thing sought, or the person from whom it is sought.

Imploring all the gods that reign above.
Pope.

I kneel, and then implore her blessing.
Shak.

Syn. -- To beseech; supplicate; crave; entreat; beg; solicit; petition; prey; request; adjure. See Beseech.

Im*plore", v. i. To entreat; to beg; to prey.

Im*plore", n. Imploration. [Obs.] Spencer.

Im*plor"er (?), n. One who implores.

Im*plor"ing, a. That implores; beseeching; entreating. -- Im*plor"ing*ly, adv.

Im*plo"sion (?), n. [Formed by substitution of pref. im- in for pref. ex- in explosion.] 1. A bursting inwards, as of a vessel from which the air has been exhausted; -- contrasted with explosion.

2. (Phon.) A sudden compression of the air in the mouth, simultaneously with and affecting the sound made by the closure of the organs in uttering p, t, or k, at the end of a syllable (see Guide to Pronunciation, §§159, 189); also, a similar compression made by an upward thrust of the larynx without any accompanying explosive action, as in the peculiar sound of b, d, and g, heard in Southern Germany. H. Sweet.

Im*plo"sive (?), a. (Phon.) Formed by implosion. -- n. An implosive sound, an implodent. -- Im*plo"sive*ly, adv. H. Sweet.

Im*plumed" (?), a. Not plumed; without plumes or feathers; featherless. [R.] Drayton.

Im*plunge" (?), v. t. To plunge. Fuller.

||Im*plu"vi*um (?), n. [L., fr. impluere to rain into; pref. im- in + pluere to rain.] (Arch.) In Roman dwellings, a cistern or tank, set in the atrium or peristyle to recieve the water from the roof, by means of the compluvium; generally made ornamental with flowers and works of art around its birm.

Im*ply" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Implied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Implying.] [From the same source as employ. See Employ, Ply, and cf. Implicate, Apply.] 1. To infold or involve; to wrap up. [Obs.] "His head in curls implied." Chapman.

2. To involve in substance or essence, or by fair inference, or by construction of law, when not include virtually; as, war implies fighting.

Where a malicious act is proved, a malicious intention is implied.
Bp. Sherlock.

When a man employs a laborer to work for him, . . . the act of hiring implies an obligation and a promise that he shall pay him a reasonable reward for his services.
Blackstone.

3. To refer, ascribe, or attribute. [Obs.]

Whence might this distaste arise?

If [from] neither your perverse and peevish will.
To which I most imply it.
J. Webster.

Syn. -- To involve; include; comprise; import; mean; denote; signify; betoken. See Involve.

Im*poi"son (?), v. t. [Cf. Empoison.] To poison; to imbitter; to impair.

Im*poi"son*er (?), n. A poisoner. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

Im*poi"son*ment (?), n. [Cf. Empoisonment.] The act of poisoning or impoisoning. [Obs.] Pope.

{ Im*po"lar*i*ly (?), Im*po"lar*ly (?), } adv. Not according to or in, the direction of the poles. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Im*pol"i*cy (?), n. The quality of being impolitic; inexpedience; unsuitableness to the end proposed; bads policy; as, the impolicy of fraud. Bp. Horsley.

Im`po*lite" (?), a. [L. impolitus unpolishied, pref. im- not + politus, p. p. of polire to polish, refine. See Polite.] Not polite; not of polished manners; wanting in good manners; discourteous; uncivil; rude. -- Im`po*lite"ly, adv. -- Im`po*lite"ness, n.

Im*pol"i*tic (?), a. [Pref. im- not + politic; cf. F. impolitique.] Not politic; contrary to, or wanting in, policy; unwise; imprudent; indiscreet; inexpedient; as, an impolitic ruler, law, or measure.

The most unjust and impolitic of all things, unequal taxation.
Burke.

Syn. -- Indiscreet; inexpedient; undiplomatic.

Im`po*lit"i*cal (?), a. Impolitic. [Obs.] -- Im`po*lit"i*cal*ly, adv. [Obs.] Bacon.

Im*pol"i*tic*ly (?), adv. In an impolitic manner.

Im*pol"i*tic*ness, n. The quality of being impolitic.

Im*pon`der*a*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. impondérabilité.] The quality or state of being imponderable; imponderableness.

Im*pon"der*a*ble (?), a. [Pref. im- not + ponderable: cf. F. impondérable.] Not ponderable; without sensible or appreciable weight; incapable of being weighed.

Im*pon"der*a*ble, n. (Physics) An imponderable substance or body; specifically, in the plural, a name formerly applied to heat, light, electricity, and magnetism, regarded as subtile fluids destitute of weight but in modern science little used.

Im*pon"der*a*ble*ness, n. The quality or state of being imponderable.

Im*pon"der*ous (?), a. Imponderable. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne. -- Im*pon"der*ous*ness, n. [Obs.]

Im*pone" (?), v. t. [L. imponere, impositum, to place upon; pref. im- in + ponere to place. See Position.] To stake; to wager; to pledge. [Obs.]

Against the which he has imponed, as I take it, six French rapiers and poniards.
Shak.

||Im*poo"fo (?), n. (Zoöl.) The eland. [Written also impoofoo.]

||Im*poon" (?), n. (Zoöl.) The duykerbok.

Im*poor" (?), v. t. To impoverish. [Obs.]

Im`po*ros"i*ty (?), n. [Perf. im- not + porosity: cf. F. imporosité.] The state or quality of being imporous; want of porosity; compactness. "The . . . imporosity betwixt the tangible parts." Bacon.

Im*por"ous (?), a. Destitute of pores; very close or compact in texture; solid. Sir T. Browne.

Im*port" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imported; p. pr. & vb. n. Importing.] [L. importare to bring in, to occasion, to cause; pref. im- in + portare to bear. Sense 3 comes through F. importer, from the Latin. See Port demeanor.] 1. To bring in from abroad; to introduce from without; especially, to bring (wares or merchandise) into a place or country from a foreign country, in the transactions of commerce; -- opposed to export. We import teas from China, coffee from Brasil, etc.

2. To carry or include, as meaning or intention; to imply; to signify.

Every petition . . . doth . . . always import a multitude of speakers together.
Hooker.

3. To be of importance or consequence to; to have a bearing on; to concern.

I have a motion much imports your good.
Shak.

If I endure it, what imports it you?
Dryden.

Syn. -- To denote; mean; signify; imply; indicate; betoken; interest; concern.

Im*port", v. i. To signify; to purport; to be of moment. "For that . . . importeth to the work." Bacon.

Im"port (?), n. 1. Merchandise imported, or brought into a country from without its boundaries; -- generally in the plural, opposed to exports.

I take the imports from, and not the exports to, these conquests, as the measure of these advantages which we derived from them.
Burke.

2. That which a word, phrase, or document contains as its signification or intention or interpretation of a word, action, event, and the like.

3. Importance; weight; consequence.

Most serious design, and the great import.
Shak.

Im*port"a*ble (?), a. [Cf. F. importable. See Import.] Capable of being imported.

Im*port"a*ble, a. [L. importabilis; pref. im- not + portabilis bearable: cf. OF. importable. See Portable.] Not to be endured; insupportable; intolerable. [Obs.] Chaucer. -- Im*port"a*ble*ness, n. [Obs.]

Im*por"tance (?), n. [F. importance. See Important.] 1. The quality or state of being important; consequence; weight; moment; significance.

Thy own importance know,
Nor bound thy narrow views to things below.
Pope.

2. Subject; matter. [Obs.]

Upon importance of so slight and trivial a nature.
Shak.

3. Import; meaning; significance. [Obs.]

The wisest beholder could not say if the importance were joy or sorrow.
Shak.

4. Importunity; solicitation. [Obs.]

At our importance hither is he come.
Shak.

Im*por"tan*cy (?), n. Importance; significance; consequence; that which is important. [Obs.] Shak. "Careful to conceal importancies." Fuller.

Im*por"tant (?), a. [F. important. See Import, v. t.] 1. Full of, or burdened by, import; charged with great interests; restless; anxious. [Obs.]

Thou hast strength as much
As serves to execute a mind very important.
Chapman.

2. Carrying or possessing weight or consequence; of valuable content or bearing; significant; weighty.

Things small as nothing . . .
He makes important.
Shak.

3. Bearing on; forcible; driving. [Obs.]

He fiercely at him flew,
And with important outrage him assailed.
Spenser.

4. Importunate; pressing; urgent. [Obs.] Shak.

Syn. -- Weighty; momentous; significant; essential; necessary; considerable; influential; serious.

Im*por"tant*ly, adv. In an important manner.

Im`por*ta"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. importation. See Import, v. t.] 1. The act of carrying, conveying, or delivering. [R.]

2. The act or practice of importing, or bringing into a country or state; -- opposed to exportation.

3. That which is imported; commodities or wares introduced into a country from abroad.

Im*port"er (?), n. One who imports; the merchant who brings goods into a country or state; -- opposed to exporter.

Im*port"ing, a. Full of meaning. [Obs.] Shak.

Im*port"less, a. Void of meaning. [Obs.] Shak.

Im*por"tu*na*ble (?), a. Heavy; insupportable. [Obs.] Sir T. More.

Im*por"tu*na*cy (?), n. [From Importunate.] The quality of being importunate; importunateness.

Im*por"tu*nate (?), a. [See Importune.] 1. Troublesomely urgent; unreasonably solicitous; overpressing in request or demand; urgent; teasing; as, an impotunate petitioner, curiosity. Whewell.

2. Hard to be borne; unendurable. [R.] Donne.

-- Im*por"tu*nate*ly, adv. -- Im*por"tu*nate*ness, n.

Im*por"tu*na`tor (?), n. One who importunes; an importuner. [Obs.] Sir E. Sandys.

Im`por*tune" (?), a. [F. importun, L. importunus; pref. im- not + a derivative from the root of portus harbor, importunus therefore orig. meaning, hard of access. See Port harbor, and cf. Importunate.] 1. Inopportune; unseasonable. [Obs.]

2. Troublesome; vexatious; persistent; urgent; hence, vexatious on account of untimely urgency or pertinacious solicitation. [Obs.]

And their importune fates all satisfied.
Spenser.

Of all other affections it [envy] is the most importune and continual.
Bacon.

Im`por*tune", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Importuned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Importuning.] [From Importune, a.: cf. F. importuner.] 1. To request or solicit, with urgency; to press with frequent, unreasonable, or troublesome application or pertinacity; hence, to tease; to irritate; to worry.

Their ministers and residents here have perpetually importuned the court with unreasonable demands.
Swift.

2. To import; to signify. [Obs.] "It importunes death." Spenser.

Im`por*tune", v. i. To require; to demand. [Obs.]

We shall write to you,
As time and our concernings shall importune.
Shak.

Im`por*tune"ly, adv. In an importune manner. [Obs.]

Im`por*tun"er (?), n. One who importunes.

Im`por*tu"ni*ty (?), n.; pl. Importunities (#). [L. importunitas unsuitableness, rudeness: cf. F. importunité.] The quality of being importunate; pressing or pertinacious solicitation; urgent request; incessant or frequent application; troublesome pertinacity.

O'ercome with importunity and tears.
Milton.

Im*por"tu*ous (?), a. [L. importuosus; pref. im- not + portuosus abounding in harbors, fr. portus harbor.] Without a port or harbor. [R.]

Im*pos"a*ble (?), a. [Cf. F. imposable.] Capable of being imposed or laid on. Hammond.

Im*pos"a*ble*ness, n. Quality of being imposable.

Im*pose" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imposed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Imposing.] [F. imposer; pref. im- in + poser to place. See Pose, v. t.] 1. To lay on; to set or place; to put; to deposit.

Cakes of salt and barley [she] did impose
Within a wicker basket.
Chapman.

2. To lay as a charge, burden, tax, duty, obligation, command, penalty, etc.; to enjoin; to levy; to inflict; as, to impose a toll or tribute.

What fates impose, that men must needs abide.
Shak.

Death is the penalty imposed.
Milton.

Thou on the deep imposest nobler laws.
Waller.

3. (Eccl.) To lay on, as the hands, in the religious rites of confirmation and ordination.

4. (Print.) To arrange in proper order on a table of stone or metal and lock up in a chase for printing; -- said of columns or pages of type, forms, etc.

Im*pose", v. i. To practice tricks or deception.

To impose on or upon, to pass or put a trick on; to delude. "He imposes on himself, and mistakes words for things." Locke.

Im*pose", n. A command; injunction. [Obs.] Shak.

Im*pose"ment (?), n. Imposition. [Obs.]

Im*pos"er (?), n. One who imposes.

The imposers of these oaths might repent.
Walton.

Im*pos"ing, a. 1. Laying as a duty; enjoining.

2. Adapted to impress forcibly; impressive; commanding; as, an imposing air; an imposing spectacle. "Large and imposing edifices." Bp. Hobart.

3. Deceiving; deluding; misleading.

Im*pos"ing, n. (Print.) The act of imposing the columns of a page, or the pages of a sheet. See Impose, v. t., 4.

Imposing stone (Print.), the stone on which the pages or columns of types are imposed or made into forms; - - called also imposing table.

Im*pos"ing*ly, adv. In an imposing manner.

Im*pos"ing*ness, n. The quality of being imposing.

Im`po*si"tion (?), n. [F., fr. L. impositio the application of a name to a thing. See Impone.] 1. The act of imposing, laying on, affixing, enjoining, inflicting, obtruding, and the like. "From imposition of strict laws." Milton.

Made more solemn by the imposition of hands.
Hammond.

2. That which is imposed, levied, or enjoined; charge; burden; injunction; tax.

3. (Eng. Univ.) An extra exercise enjoined on students as a punishment. T. Warton.

4. An excessive, arbitrary, or unlawful exaction; hence, a trick or deception put on laid on others; cheating; fraud; delusion; imposture.

Reputation is an idle and most false imposition.
Shak.

5. (Eccl.) The act of laying on the hands as a religious ceremoy, in ordination, confirmation, etc.

6. (Print.) The act or process of imosing pages or columns of type. See Impose, v. t., 4.

Syn. -- Deceit; fraud; imposture. See Deception.

Im*pos`si*bil"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Impossibilities (#). [L. impossibilitas: cf. F. impossibilité.] 1. The quality of being impossible; impracticability.

They confound difficulty with impossibility.
South.

2. An impossible thing; that which can not be thought, done, or endured.

Impossibilities! O, no, there's none.
Cowley.

3. Inability; helplessness. [R.] Latimer.

Logical impossibility, a condition or statement involving contradiction or absurdity; as, that a thing can be and not be at the same time. See Principle of Contradiction, under Contradiction.

Im*pos"si*ble (?), a. [F., fr. L. impossibilis; pref. im- not + possibilis possible. See Possible.] Not possible; incapable of being done, of existing, etc.; unattainable in the nature of things, or by means at command; insuperably difficult under the circumstances; absurd or impracticable; not feasible.

With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Matt. xix. 26.

Without faith it is impossible to please him.
Heb. xi. 6.

Impossible quantity (Math.), an imaginary quantity. See Imaginary.

Syn. -- See Impracticable.

Im*pos"si*ble, n. An impossibility. [Obs.]

"Madam," quoth he, "this were an impossible!"
Chaucer.

Im*pos"si*bly, adv. Not possibly. Sir. T. North.

Im"post (?), n. [OF. impost, F. impot, LL. impostus, fr. L. impostus, p. p. of imponere to impose. See Impone.] 1. That which is imposed or levied; a tax, tribute, or duty; especially, a duty or tax laid by goverment on goods imported into a country.

Even the ship money . . . Johnson could not pronounce to have been an unconstitutional impost.
Macaulay.

2. (Arch.) The top member of a pillar, pier, wall, etc., upon which the weight of an arch rests.

&fist; The impost is called continuous, if the moldings of the arch or architrave run down the jamb or pier without a break.

Syn. -- Tribute; excise; custom; duty; tax.

Im*post"hu*mate (?), v. t. [See Imposthume.] To apostemate; to form an imposthume or abscess. Arbuthnot.

Im*post"hu*mate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imposthumated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Imposthumating (?).] To affect with an imposthume or abscess.

Im*post"hu*mate (?), a. Imposthumated.

Im*post`hu*ma"tion (?), n. 1. The act of forming an abscess; state of being inflamed; suppuration.

2. An abscess; an imposthume. Coxe.

Im*post"hume (?), n. [A corruption of aposteme. See Aposteme.] A collection of pus or purulent matter in any part of an animal body; an abscess.

Im*post"hume, v. t. & i. Same as Imposthumate.

Im*pos"tor (?), n. [L. impostor a deceiver, fr. imponere to impose upon, deceive. See Impone.] One who imposes upon others; a person who assumes a character or title not his own, for the purpose of deception; a pretender. "The fraudulent impostor foul." Milton.

Syn. -- Deceiver; cheat; rogue. See Deceiver.

Im*pos"tor*ship, n. The condition, character, or practice of an impostor. Milton.

{ Im*pos"tress (?), Im*pos"trix (?), } n. [LL. impostrix. See Impostor.] A woman who imposes upon or deceives others. [R.] Fuller.

Im*pos"trous (?), n. Characterized by imposture; deceitful. "Impostrous pretense of knowledge." Grote.

Im*pos"tur*age (?), n. Imposture; cheating. [R.] Jer. Taylor.

Im*pos"ture (?), n. [L. impostura: cf. F. imposture. See Impone.] The act or conduct of an impostor; deception practiced under a false or assumed character; fraud or imposition; cheating.

From new legends
And fill the world with follies and impostures.
Johnson.

Syn. -- Cheat; fraud; trick; imposition; delusion.

Im*pos"tured (?), a. Done by imposture. [Obs.]

Im*pos"tur*ous (?), a. Impostrous; deceitful.

Strictness fales and impostrous.
Beau. & Fl.

Im*pos"tur*y (?), n. Imposture. [Obs.] Fuller.

{ Im"po*tence (?), Im"po*ten*cy (?), } n. [L. impotenia inability, poverty, want of moderation. See Impotent.] 1. The quality or condition of being impotent; want of strength or power, animal, intellectual, or moral; weakness; feebleness; inability; imbecility.

Some were poor by impotency of nature; as young fatherless children, old decrepit persons, idiots, and cripples.
Hayward.

O, impotence of mind in body strong!
Milton.

2. Want of self-restraint or self- control. [R.] Milton.

3. (Law & Med.) Want of procreative power; inability to copulate, or beget children; also, sometimes, sterility; barrenness.

Im"po*tent (?), a. [F. impotent, L. impotens, -entis; pref. im- not + potens potent, powerful. See Potent.] 1. Not potent; wanting power, strength. or vigor. whether physical, intellectual, or moral; deficient in capacity; destitute of force; weak; feeble; infirm.

There sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent inhis feet.
Acts xiv. 8.

O most lame and impotent conclusion!
Shak.

Not slow to hear,
Nor impotent to save.
Addison.

2. Wanting the power of self-restraint; incontrolled; ungovernable; violent.

Impotent of tongue, her silence broke.
Dryden.

3. (Med.) Wanting the power of procreation; unable to copulate; also, sometimes, sterile; barren.

Im"po*tent, n. One who is impotent. [R.] Shak.

Im"po*tent*ly, adv. In an impotent manner.

Im*pound" (&?;), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impounded; p. pr. & vb. n. Impounding.] To shut up or place in an inclosure called a pound; hence, to hold in the custody of a court; as, to impound stray cattle; to impound a document for safe keeping.

But taken and impounded as a stray,
The king of Scots.
Shak.

Im*pound"age (&ibreve;m*pound"&asl;j), n. 1. The act of impounding, or the state of being impounded.

2. The fee or fine for impounding.

Im*pound"er (?), n. One who impounds.

Im*pov"er*ish (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impoverished (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Impoverishing.] [OF. empovrir; pref. em- (L. in) + povre poor, F. pauvre; cf. OF. apovrir, F. appauvrir, where the prefix is a- , L. ad. Cf. Empoverish, and see Poor, and -ish.] 1. To make poor; to reduce to poverty or indigence; as, misfortune and disease impoverish families.

2. To exhaust the strength, richness, or fertility of; to make sterile; as, to impoverish land.

Im*pov"er*ish*er (?), n. One who, or that which, impoverishes.

Im*pov"er*ish*ment (?), n. [Cf. OF. empoverissement, and F. appauvrissement.] The act of impoverishing, or the state of being impoverished; reduction to poverty. Sir W. Scott.

Im*pow"er (?), v. t. See Empower.

Imp"-pole` (&?;), n. (Building) A pole for supporting a scaffold.

Im*prac`ti*ca*bil"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Impracticabilities (&?;). 1. The state or quality of being impracticable; infeasibility. Goldsmith.

2. An impracticable thing.

3. Intractableness; stubbornness.

Im*prac"ti*ca*ble (?), a. 1. Not practicable; incapable of being performed, or accomplished by the means employed, or at command; impossible; as, an impracticable undertaking.

2. Not to be overcome, persuaded, or controlled by any reasonable method; unmanageable; intractable; not capable of being easily dealt with; -- used in a general sense, as applied to a person or thing that is difficult to control or get along with.

This though, impracticable heart
Is governed by a dainty-fingered girl.
Rowe.

Patriotic but loyal men went away disgusted afresh with the impracticable arrogance of a sovereign.
Palfrey.

3. Incapable of being used or availed of; as, an impracticable road; an impracticable method.

Syn. -- Impossible; infeasible. -- Impracticable, Impossible. A thing is impracticable when it can not be accomplished by any human means at present possessed; a thing is impossible when the laws of nature forbid it. The navigation of a river may now be impracticable, but not impossible, because the existing obstructions may yet be removed. "The barons exercised the most despotic authority over their vassals, and every scheme of public utility was rendered impracticable by their continued petty wars with each other." Mickle. "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matt. xix. 26.

Im*prac"ti*ca*ble*ness, n. The state or quality of being impracticable; impracticability.

Im*prac"ti*ca*bly, adv. In an impracticable manner.

Morality not impracticably rigid.
Johnson.

Im*prac"ti*cal (?), a. Not practical.

Im"pre*cate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imprecated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Imprecating (?).] [L. imprecatus, p. p. of imprecari to imprecate; pref. im- in, on + precari to pray. See Pray.] 1. To call down by prayer, as something hurtful or calamitous.

Imprecate the vengeance of Heaven on the guilty empire.
Mickle.

2. To invoke evil upon; to curse; to swear at.

In vain we blast the ministers of Fate,
And the forlorn physicians imprecate.
Rochester.

Im`pre*ca"tion (?), n. [L. imprecatio: cf. F. imprécation.] The act of imprecating, or invoking evil upon any one; a prayer that a curse or calamity may fall on any one; a curse.

Men cowered like slaves before such horrid imprecations.
Motley.

Syn. -- Malediction; curse; execration; anathema. See Malediction.

Im"pre*ca*to*ry (?), a. Of the nature of, or containing, imprecation; invoking evil; as, the imprecatory psalms.

Im`pre*ci"sion (?), n. Want of precision. [R.]

Im*pregn" (?), v. t. [Cf. F. impregner. See Impregnate.] To impregnate; to make fruitful. [Obs.]

His pernicious words, impregned
With reason.
Milton.

Semele doth Bacchus bear
Impregned of Jove.
Dr. H. More.

Im*preg`na*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being impregnable; invincibility.

Im*preg"na*ble (?), a. [F. imprenable; pref. im- not + prenable pregnable, fr. prendre to take, L. prehendere. See Comprehend, Get to obtain.] Not to be stormed, or taken by assault; incapable of being subdued; able to resist attack; unconquerable; as, an impregnable fortress; impregnable virtue.

The man's affection remains wholly unconcerned and impregnable.
South.

-- Im*preg"na*ble*ness, n. -- Im*preg"na*bly, adv.

Im*preg"na*ble (?), a. [See Impregnate.] (Biol.) Capable of being impregnated, as the egg of an animal, or the ovule of a plant.

Im*preg"nant (?), n. [See Impregnate.] That which impregnates. [R.] Glanvill.

Im*preg"nant, a. [Pref. im- not + pregnant.] Not pregnant; unfertilized or infertile. [R.]

Im*preg"nate (&ibreve;m*pr&ebreve;g"nāt), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impregnated (-n&asl;*t&ebreve;d); p. pr. & vb. n. Impregnating (-n&asl;*t&ibreve;ng).] [LL. impraegnatus, p. p. of impraegnare to impregnate, fr. L. pref. im- in + praegnans pregnant. See Pregnant.] 1. To make pregnant; to cause to conceive; to render prolific; to get with child or young.

2. (Biol.) To come into contact with (an ovum or egg) so as to cause impregnation; to fertilize; to fecundate.

3. To infuse an active principle into; to render fruitful or fertile in any way; to fertilize; to imbue.

4. To infuse particles of another substance into; to communicate the quality of another to; to cause to be filled, imbued, mixed, or furnished (with something); as, to impregnate India rubber with sulphur; clothing impregnated with contagion; rock impregnated with ore.

Im*preg"nate (&ibreve;m*pr&ebreve;g"nāt), v. i. To become pregnant. Addison.

Im*preg"nate (-n&asl;t), a. [LL. impraegnatus, p. p.] Impregnated; made prolific.

The scorching ray
Here pierceth not, impregnate with disease.
Byron.

Im`preg*na"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. imprégnation, LL. impraegnatio.] 1. The act of impregnating or the state of being impregnated; fecundation.

2. (Biol.) The fusion of a female germ cell (ovum) with a male germ cell (in animals, a spermatozoön) to form a single new cell endowed with the power of developing into a new individual; fertilization; fecundation.

&fist; In the broadest biological sense, impregnation, or sexual generation, consists simply in the coalescence of two similar masses of protoplasmic matter, either derived from different parts of the same organism or from two distinct organisms. From the single mass, which results from the fusion, or coalescence, of these two masses, a new organism develops.

3. That with which anything is impregnated. Derham.

4. Intimate mixture; infusion; saturation.

5. (Mining) An ore deposit, with indefinite boundaries, consisting of rock impregnated with ore. Raymond.

Im`pre*ju"di*cate (?), a. Not prejudged; unprejudiced; impartial. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Im*pre"na*ble (?), a. Impregnable. [Obs.]

Im*prep`a*ra"tion (?), n. Want of preparation. [Obs.] Hooker.

||Im*pre"sa (&esl;m*prā"s&adot;), n. [It. See Emprise, and cf. Impress, n., 4.] (Her.) A device on a shield or seal, or used as a bookplate or the like. [Written also imprese and impress.]

My impresa to your lordship; a swain
Flying to a laurel for shelter.
J. Webster.

||Im`pre*sa"ri*o (?), n.; pl. Impresarios (#). [It., from impresa enterprise.] The projector, manager, or conductor, of an opera or concert company.

Im`pre*scrip`ti*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. imprescriptibilité.] The quality of being imprescriptible.

Im`pre*scrip"ti*ble (?), a. [Pref. im- not + prescriptible: cf. F. imprescriptible.] 1. Not capable of being lost or impaired by neglect, by disuse, or by the claims of another founded on prescription.

The right of navigation, fishing, and others that may be exercised on the sea, belonging to the right of mere ability, are imprescriptible.
Vattel (Trans. )

2. Not derived from, or dependent on, external authority; self-evidencing; obvious.

The imprescriptible laws of the pure reason.
Colerridge.

Im`pre*scrip"ti*bly, adv. In an imprescriptible manner; obviously.

Im*prese" (?), n. A device. See Impresa.

An imprese, as the Italians call it, is a device in picture with his motto or word, borne by noble or learned personages.
Camden.

Im*press" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impressed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Impressing.] [L. impressus, p. p. of imprimere to impress; pref. im- in, on + premere to press. See Press to squeeze, and cf. Imprint.] 1. To press, stamp, or print something in or upon; to mark by pressure, or as by pressure; to imprint (that which bears the impression).

His heart, like an agate, with your print impressed.
Shak.

2. To produce by pressure, as a mark, stamp, image, etc.; to imprint (a mark or figure upon something).

3. Fig.: To fix deeply in the mind; to present forcibly to the attention, etc.; to imprint; to inculcate.

Impress the motives of persuasion upon our own hearts till we feel the force of them.
I. Watts.

4. [See Imprest, Impress, n., 5.] To take by force for public service; as, to impress sailors or money.

The second five thousand pounds impressed for the service of the sick and wounded prisoners.
Evelyn.

Im*press", v. i. To be impressed; to rest. [Obs.]

Such fiendly thoughts in his heart impress.
Chaucer.

Im"press (?), n.; pl. Impresses (&?;). 1. The act of impressing or making.

2. A mark made by pressure; an indentation; imprint; the image or figure of anything, formed by pressure or as if by pressure; result produced by pressure or influence.

The impresses of the insides of these shells.
Woodward.

This weak impress of love is as a figure
Trenched in ice.
Shak.

3. Characteristic; mark of distinction; stamp. South.

4. A device. See Impresa. Cussans.

To describe . . . emblazoned shields,
Impresses quaint.
Milton.

5. [See Imprest, Press to force into service.] The act of impressing, or taking by force for the public service; compulsion to serve; also, that which is impressed.

Why such impress of shipwrights?
Shak.

Impress gang, a party of men, with an officer, employed to impress seamen for ships of war; a press gang. -- Impress money, a sum of money paid, immediately upon their entering service, to men who have been impressed.

Im*press`i*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality of being impressible; susceptibility.

Im*press"i*ble (?), a. [Cf. F. impressible.] Capable of being impressed; susceptible; sensitive. -- Im*press"i*ble*ness, n. -- Im*press"i*bly, adv.

Im*pres"sion (?), n. [F. impression, L. impressio.] 1. The act of impressing, or the state of being impressed; the communication of a stamp, mold, style, or character, by external force or by influence.

2. That which is impressed; stamp; mark; indentation; sensible result of an influence exerted from without.

The stamp and clear impression of good sense.
Cowper.

To shelter us from impressions of weather, we must spin, we must weave, we must build.
Barrow.

3. That which impresses, or exercises an effect, action, or agency; appearance; phenomenon. [Obs.]

Portentous blaze of comets and impressions in the air.
Milton.

A fiery impression falling from out of Heaven.
Holland.

4. Influence or effect on the senses or the intellect hence, interest, concern. Reid.

His words impression left.
Milton.

Such terrible impression made the dream.
Shak.

I have a father's dear impression,
And wish, before I fall into my grave,
That I might see her married.
Ford.

5. An indistinct notion, remembrance, or belief.

6. Impressiveness; emphasis of delivery.

Which must be read with an impression.
Milton.

7. (Print.) The pressure of the type on the paper, or the result of such pressure, as regards its appearance; as, a heavy impression; a clear, or a poor, impression; also, a single copy as the result of printing, or the whole edition printed at a given time.

Ten impressions which his books have had.
Dryden.

8. In painting, the first coat of color, as the priming in house painting and the like. [R.]

9. (Engraving) A print on paper from a wood block, metal plate, or the like.

Proof impression, one of the early impressions taken from an engraving, before the plate or block is worn.

Im*pres`sion*a*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality of being impressionable.

Im*pres"sion*a*ble (?), a. [Cf. F. impressionnable.] Liable or subject to impression; capable of being molded; susceptible; impressible.

He was too impressionable; he had too much of the temperament of genius.
Motley.

A pretty face and an impressionable disposition.
T. Hook.

Im*pres"sion*a*ble*ness, n. The quality of being impressionable.

Im*pres"sion*ism (?), n. [F. impressionnisme.] (Fine Arts) The theory or method of suggesting an effect or impression without elaboration of the details; -- a disignation of a recent fashion in painting and etching.

Im*pres"sion*ist, n. [F. impressionniste.] (Fine Arts) One who adheres to the theory or method of impressionism, so called.

Im*pres`sion*is"tic (?), a. Pertaining to, or characterized by, impressionism.

Im*pres"sion*less, a. Having the quality of not being impressed or affected; not susceptible.

Im*press"ive (?), a. [Cf. F. impressif.] 1. Making, or tending to make, an impression; having power to impress; adapted to excite attention and feeling, to touch the sensibilities, or affect the conscience; as, an impressive discourse; an impressive scene.

2. Capable of being impressed. [Obs.] Drayton.

- Im*press"ive*ly, adv. -- Im*press"ive*ness, n.

Im*press"ment (?), n. The act of seizing for public use, or of impressing into public service; compulsion to serve; as, the impressment of provisions or of sailors.

The great scandal of our naval service -- impressment -- died a protracted death.
J. H. Burton.

Im*press"or (?), n. [LL., a printer.] One who, or that which, impresses. Boyle.

Im*pres"sure (?), n. [Cf. OF. impressure, LL. impressura.] Dent; impression. [Obs.] Shak.

Im*prest" (&?;), v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Imprested; p. pr. & vb. n. Impresting.] [Pref. im- + prest: cf. It. imprestare. See Prest, n.] To advance on loan. Burke.

Im"prest (?), n. [Cf. It. impresto, imprestito, LL. impraestitum. See Imprest, v. t., and Impress compulsion to serve.] A kind of earnest money; loan; -- specifically, money advanced for some public service, as in enlistment. Burke.

The clearing of their imprests for what little of their debts they have received.
Pepys.

{ Im*prev"a*lence (?), Im*prev"a*len*cy (?), } n. Want of prevalence. [Obs.]

Im`pre*vent`a*bil"i*ty (?), n. The state or quality of being impreventable. [R.]

Im`pre*vent"a*ble (?), a. Not preventable; inevitable.

||Im`pri*ma"tur (?), n. [L., let it be printed.] (Law) A license to print or publish a book, paper, etc.; also, in countries subjected to the censorship of the press, approval of that which is published.

Im*prim"er*y (?), n. [F. imprimerie, fr. imprimer to imprint.] [Obs.] (a) A print; impression. (b) A printing establishment. (c) The art of printing.

Im*prim"ing (?), n. A beginning. [Obs.] "Their springings and imprimings." Sir H. Wotton.

||Im*pri"mis (?), adv. [L., for in primis among the first, chiefly; in in + primus first.] In the first place; first in order.

Im*print" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imptrinted; p. pr. & vb. n. Imprinting.] [OE. emprenten, F. empreint, p. p. of empreindre to imprint, fr. L. imprimere to impres, imprint. See 1st In-, Print, and cf. Impress.] 1. To impress; to mark by pressure; to indent; to stamp.

And sees his num'rous herds imprint her sands.
Prior.

2. To stamp or mark, as letters on paper, by means of type, plates, stamps, or the like; to print the mark (figures, letters, etc., upon something).

Nature imprints upon whate'er we see,
That has a heart and life in it, "Be free."
Cowper.

3. To fix indelibly or permanently, as in the mind or memory; to impress.

Ideas of those two different things distinctly imprinted on his mind.
Locke.

Im"print (?), n. [Cf. F. empreinte impress, stamp. See Imprint, v. t.] Whatever is impressed or imprinted; the impress or mark left by something; specifically, the name of the printer or publisher (usually) with the time and place of issue, in the title- page of a book, or on any printed sheet. "That imprint of their hands." Buckle.

Im*pris"on (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imprisoned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Imprisoning.] [OE. enprisonen, OF. enprisoner, F. emprisonner; pref. en- (L. in) + F. & OF. prison. See Prison.] 1. To put in prison or jail; To arrest and detain in custody; to confine.

He imprisoned was in chains remediless.
Spenser.

2. To limit, restrain, or confine in any way.

Try to imprison the resistless wind.
Dryden.

Syn. -- To incarcerate; confine; immure.

Im*pris"on*er (?), n. One who imprisons.

Im*pris"on ment (?), n. [OE. enprisonment; F. emprisonnement.] The act of imprisoning, or the state of being imprisoned; confinement; restraint.

His sinews waxen weak and raw
Through long imprisonment and hard constraint.
Spenser.

Every confinement of the person is an imprisonment, whether it be in a common prison, or in a private house, or even by foreibly detaining one in the public streets.
Blackstone.

False imprisonment. (Law) See under False.

Syn. -- Incarceration; custody; confinement; durance; restraint.

Im*prob`a*bil"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Improbabilities (#). [Cf. F. improbabilité.] The quality or state of being improbable; unlikelihood; also, that which is improbable; an improbable event or result.

Im*prob"a*ble (?), a. [L. improbabilis; pref. im- not + probabilis probable: cf. F. improbable. See Probable.] Not probable; unlikely to be true; not to be expected under the circumstances or in the usual course of events; as, an improbable story or event.

He . . . sent to Elutherius, then bishop of Rome, an improbable letter, as some of the contents discover.
Milton.

-- Im*prob"a*ble*ness, n. -- Im*prob"a*bly, adv.

Im"pro*bate (?), v. t. [L. improbatus, p. p. of improbare to disapprove; pref. im- not + probare to approve.] To disapprove of; to disallow. [Obs.]

Im`pro*ba"tion (?), n. [L. improbatio.] 1. The act of disapproving; disapprobation.

2. (Scots Law) The act by which falsehood and forgery are proved; an action brought for the purpose of having some instrument declared false or forged. Bell.

{ Im"pro*ba*tive (?), Im"pro*ba`to*ry (?) }, a. Implying, or tending to, improbation.

Im*prob"i*ty (?), n. [L. improbitas; pref. im- not + probitas probity: cf. F. improbité.] Lack of probity; want of integrity or rectitude; dishonesty.

Persons . . . cast out for notorious improbity.
Hooker.

{ Im`pro*fi"cience (?), Im`pro*fi"cien*cy, } n. Want of proficiency. [R.] Bacon.

Im*prof"it*a*ble (?), a. [Pref. im- not + profitable: cf. F. improfitable.] Unprofitable. [Obs.]

Im`pro*gress"ive (?), a. Not progressive. De Quincey. -- Im"pro*gress"ive*ly, adv.

Im`pro*lif"ic (?), a. [Pref. im- not + prolific: cf. F. improlifique.] Not prolific. [Obs.] E. Waterhouse.

Im`pro*lif"ic*ate (?), v. t. [Pref. im- in + prolificate.] To impregnate. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Im*prompt" (?), a. Not ready. [R.] Sterne.

Im*promp"tu (?), adv. or a. [F. impromptu, fr. L. in promptu in readiness, at hand; in in + promptus visibility, readiness, from promptus visible, ready. See Prompt.] Offhand; without previous study; extemporaneous; extempore; as, an impromptu verse.

Im*promp"tu, n. 1. Something made or done offhand, at the moment, or without previous study; an extemporaneous composition, address, or remark.

2. (Mus.) A piece composed or played at first thought; a composition in the style of an extempore piece.

Im*prop"er (?), a. [F. impropre, L. improprius; pref. im- not + proprius proper. See Proper.] 1. Not proper; not suitable; not fitted to the circumstances, design, or end; unfit; not becoming; incongruous; inappropriate; indecent; as, an improper medicine; improper thought, behavior, language, dress.

Follow'd his enemy king, and did him service,
Improper for a slave.
Shak.

And to their proper operation still,
Ascribe all Good; to their improper, Ill.
Pope.

2. Not peculiar or appropriate to individuals; general; common. [Obs.]

Not to be adorned with any art but such improper ones as nature is said to bestow, as singing and poetry.
J. Fletcher.

3. Not according to facts; inaccurate; erroneous.

Improper diphthong. See under Diphthong. -- Improper feud, an original feud, not earned by military service. Mozley & W. -- Improper fraction. See under Fraction.

Im*prop"er, v. t. To appropriate; to limit. [Obs.]

He would in like manner improper and inclose the sunbeams to comfort the rich and not the poor.
Jewel.

Im*prop`er*a"tion (?), n. [L. improperare, improperatum, to taunt.] The act of upbraiding or taunting; a reproach; a taunt. [Obs.]

Improperatios and terms of scurrility.
Sir T. Browne

||Im`pro*pe"ri*a (?), n. pl. [L., reproaches.] (Mus.) A series of antiphons and responses, expressing the sorrowful remonstrance of our Lord with his people; -- sung on the morning of the Good Friday in place of the usual daily Mass of the Roman ritual. Grove.

Im*prop"er*ly (?), adv. In an improper manner; not properly; unsuitably; unbecomingly.

Im*prop"er*ty (?), n. Impropriety. [Obs.]

Im`pro*pi"tious (?), a. Unpropitious; unfavorable. [Obs.] "Dreams were impropitious." Sir H. Wotton.

Im`pro*por"tion*a*ble (?), a. Not proportionable. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

Im`pro*por"tion*ate (?), a. Not proportionate. [Obs.]

Im*pro"pri*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impropriated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Impropriating (?).] [Pref. im- in + L. propriatus, p. p. of propriare to appropriate. See Appropriate.] 1. To appropriate to one's self; to assume. [Obs.]

To impropriate the thanks to himself.
Bacon.

2. (Eng. Eccl. Law) To place the profits of (ecclesiastical property) in the hands of a layman for care and disbursement.

Im*pro"pri*ate, v. i. To become an impropriator. [R.]

Im*pro"pri*ate (?), a. (Eng. Eccl. Law) Put into the hands of a layman; impropriated.

Im*pro`pri*a"tion (?), n. 1. The act of impropriating; as, the impropriation of property or tithes; also, that which is impropriated.

2. (Eng. Eccl. Law) (a) The act of putting an ecclesiastical benefice in the hands of a layman, or lay corporation. (b) A benefice in the hands of a layman, or of a lay corporation.

Im*pro"pri*a`tor (?), n. One who impropriates; specifically, a layman in possession of church property.

Im*pro`pri*a"trix (?), n.; pl. E. -trixes, L. -trices (&?;). A female impropriator.

Im`pro*pri"e*ty (?), n.; pl. Improprieties (#). [L. improprietas; cf. F. impropriété. See Improper.] 1. The quality of being improper; unfitness or unsuitableness to character, time place, or circumstances; as, impropriety of behavior or manners.

2. That which is improper; an unsuitable or improper act, or an inaccurate use of language.

But every language has likewise its improprieties and absurdities.
Johnson.

Many gross improprieties, however authorized by practice, ought to be discarded.
Swift.

Im`pros*per"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. improspérité.] Want of prosperity. [Obs.]

Im*pros"per*ous (?), a. [Pref. im- not + prosperous: cf. F. improspère, L. improsper.] Not prosperous. [Obs.] Dryden. - - Im*pros"per*ous*ly, adv. [Obs.] -- Im*pros"per*ous*ness, n. [Obs.]

Im*prov`a*bil"i*ty (?), n. The state or quality of being improvable; improvableness.

Im*prov"a*ble (?), a. [From Improve.] 1. Capable of being improved; susceptible of improvement; admitting of being made better; capable of cultivation, or of being advanced in good qualities.

Man is accommodated with moral principles, improvable by the exercise of his faculties.
Sir M. Hale.

I have a fine spread of improvable lands.
Addison.

2. Capable of being used to advantage; profitable; serviceable; advantageous.

The essays of weaker heads afford improvable hints to better.
Sir T. Browne.

-- Im*pro"a*ble*ness, n. -- Im*prov"a*bly, adv.

Im*prove" (?), v. t. [Pref. im- not + prove: cf. L. improbare, F. improuver.] 1. To disprove or make void; to refute. [Obs.]

Neither can any of them make so strong a reason which another can not improve.
Tyndale.

2. To disapprove; to find fault with; to reprove; to censure; as, to improve negligence. [Obs.] Chapman.

When he rehearsed his preachings and his doing unto the high apostles, they could improve nothing.
Tyndale.

Im*prove", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Improved (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Improving.] [Pref. in- in + prove, in approve. See Approve, Prove.] 1. To make better; to increase the value or good qualities of; to ameliorate by care or cultivation; as, to improve land. Donne.

I love not to improve the honor of the living by impairing that of the dead.
Denham.

2. To use or employ to good purpose; to make productive; to turn to profitable account; to utilize; as, to improve one's time; to improve his means. Shak.

We shall especially honor God by improving diligently the talents which God hath committed to us.
Barrow.

A hint that I do not remember to have seen opened and improved.
Addison.

The court seldom fails to improve the opportunity.
Blackstone.

How doth the little busy bee
Improve each shining hour.
I. Watts.

Those moments were diligently improved.
Gibbon.

True policy, as well as good faith, in my opinion, binds us to improve the occasion.
Washington.

3. To advance or increase by use; to augment or add to; -- said with reference to what is bad. [R.]

We all have, I fear, . . . not a little improved the wretched inheritance of our ancestors.
Bp. Porteus.

Syn. -- To better; meliorate; ameliorate; advance; heighten; mend; correct; rectify; amend; reform.

Im*prove", v. i. 1. To grow better; to advance or make progress in what is desirable; to make or show improvement; as, to improve in health.

We take care to improve in our frugality and diligence.
Atterbury.

2. To advance or progress in bad qualities; to grow worse. "Domitian improved in cruelty." Milner.

3. To increase; to be enhanced; to rise in value; as, the price of cotton improves.

To improve on or upon, to make useful additions or amendments to, or changes in; to bring nearer to perfection; as, to improve on the mode of tillage.

Im*prove"ment (?), n. 1. The act of improving; advancement or growth; promotion in desirable qualities; progress toward what is better; melioration; as, the improvement of the mind, of land, roads, etc.

I look upon your city as the best place of improvement.
South.

Exercise is the chief source of improvement in all our faculties.
Blair.

2. The act of making profitable use or applicaton of anything, or the state of being profitably employed; a turning to good account; practical application, as of a doctrine, principle, or theory, stated in a discourse. "A good improvement of his reason." S. Clarke.

I shall make some improvement of this doctrine.
Tillotson.

3. The state of being improved; betterment; advance; also, that which is improved; as, the new edition is an improvement on the old.

The parts of Sinon, Camilla, and some few others, are improvements on the Greek poet.
Addison.

4. Increase; growth; progress; advance.

There is a design of publishing the history of architecture, with its several improvements and decays.
Addison.

Those vices which more particularly receive improvement by prosperity.
South.

5. pl. Valuable additions or betterments, as buildings, clearings, drains, fences, etc., on premises.

6. (Patent Laws) A useful addition to, or modification of, a machine, manufacture, or composition. Kent.

Im*prov"er (?), n. One who, or that which, improves.

Im`pro*vid"ed (?), a. Unforeseen; unexpected; not provided against; unprepared. [Obs.]

All improvided for dread of death.
E. Hall.

Im*prov"i*dence (?), n. [L. improvidentia; OF. improvidence. Cf. Imprudence.] The quality of being improvident; want of foresight or thrift.

The improvidence of my neighbor must not make me inhuman.
L'Estrange.

Im*prov"i*dent (?), a. [Pref. im- not + provident: cf. L. improvidus. See Provident, and cf. Imprudent.] Not provident; wanting foresight or forethought; not foreseeing or providing for the future; negligent; thoughtless; as, an improvident man.

Improvident soldiers! had your watch been good,
This sudden mischief never could have fallen.
Shak.

Syn. -- Inconsiderable; negligent; careless; shiftless; prodigal; wasteful.

Im*prov`i*den"tial*ly (?), adv. Improvidently. [R.]

Im*prov"i*dent*ly (?), adv. In a improvident manner. "Improvidently rash." Drayton.

Im*prov"ing (?), a. Tending to improve, beneficial; growing better. -- Im*prov"ing*ly, adv.

Improving lease (Scots Law), an extended lease to induce the tenant to make improvements on the premises.

Im*prov"i*sate (?), a. [See Improvise.] Unpremeditated; impromptu; extempore. [R.]

Im*prov"i*sate (?), v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Improvisated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Improvisating (?).] To improvise; to extemporize.

Im*prov`i*sa"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. improvisation.] 1. The act or art of composing and rendering music, poetry, and the like, extemporaneously; as, improvisation on the organ.

2. That which is improvised; an impromptu.

Im`pro*vis"a*tize (?), v. t. & i. Same as Improvisate.

Im*prov"i*sa`tor (?), n. An improviser, or improvvisatore.

||Im`pro*vi`sa*to"re (?), n. See Improvvisatore.

{ Im*prov`i*sa*to"ri*al (?), Im*prov"i*sa*to*ry (?), } a. Of or pertaining to improvisation or extemporaneous composition.

||Im`pro*vi`sa*tri"ce (?), n. See Improvvisatrice.

Im`pro*vise" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Improvised (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Improvising.] [F. improviser, it. improvvisare, fr. improvviso unprovided, sudden, extempore, L. improvisus; pref. im- not + provisus foreseen, provided. See Proviso.] 1. To compose, recite, or sing extemporaneously, especially in verse; to extemporize; also, to play upon an instrument, or to act, extemporaneously.

2. To bring about, arrange, or make, on a sudden, or without previous preparation.

Charles attempted to improvise a peace.
Motley.

3. To invent, or provide, offhand, or on the spur of the moment; as, he improvised a hammer out of a stone.

Im`pro*vise", v. i. To produce or render extemporaneous compositions, especially in verse or in music, without previous preparation; hence, to do anything offhand.

Im`pro*vis"er (?), n. One who improvises.

Im`pro*vi"sion (?), n. [Pref. im- not + provision.] Improvidence. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Im`pro*vi"so (?), a. [L. improvisus unforeseen; cf. It. improvviso.] Not prepared or mediated beforehand; extemporaneous. [Obs.] Jonhson.

||Im`prov*vi`sa*to"re (?), n.; pl. Improvvisatori (#). [It. See Improvise.] One who composes and sings or recites rhymes and short poems extemporaneously. [Written also improvisatore.]

||Im`prov*vi`sa*tri"ce (?), n.; pl. Improvvisatrici (#). [It. See Improvise.] A female improvvisatore. [Written also improvisatrice.]

Im*pru"dence (?), n. [L. imprudentia: cf. F. imprudence. Cf. Improvidence.] The quality or state of being imprudent; want to caution, circumspection, or a due regard to consequences; indiscretion; inconsideration; rashness; also, an imprudent act; as, he was guilty of an imprudence.

His serenity was interrupted, perhaps, by his own imprudence.
Mickle.

Im*pru"dent (?), a. [L. imprudens; pref. im- not + prudens prudent: cf. F. imprudent. See Prudent, and cf. Improvident.] Not prudent; wanting in prudence or discretion; indiscreet; injudicious; not attentive to consequence; improper. -- Im*pru"dent*ly, adv.

Her majesty took a great dislike at the imprudent behavior of many of the ministers and readers.
Strype.

Syn. -- Indiscreet; injudicious; incautious; ill-advised; unwise; heedless; careless; rash; negligent.

Im*pu"ber*al (&ibreve;m*pū"b&etilde;r*al), a. Not having arrived at puberty; immature.

In impuberal animals the cerebellum is, in proportion to the brain proper, greatly less than in adults.
Sir W. Hamilton.

Im*pu"ber*ty (-t&ybreve;), n. The condition of not having reached puberty, or the age of ability to reproduce one's species; want of age at which the marriage contract can be legally entered into.

Im"pu*dence (&ibreve;m"p&usl;*dens), n. [L. impudentia: cf. F. impudence. See Impudent.] The quality of being impudent; assurance, accompanied with a disregard of the presence or opinions of others; shamelessness; forwardness; want of modesty.

Clear truths that their own evidence forces us to admit, or common experience makes it impudence to deny.
Locke.

Where pride and impudence (in fashion knit)
Usurp the chair of wit.
B. Jonson.

Syn. -- Shamelessness; audacity; insolence; effrontery; sauciness; impertinence; pertness; rudeness. -- Impudence, Effrontery, Sauciness. Impudence refers more especially to the feelings as manifested in action. Effrontery applies to some gross and public exhibition of shamelessness. Sauciness refers to a sudden pert outbreak of impudence, especially from an inferior. Impudence is an unblushing kind of impertinence, and may be manifested in words, tones, gestures, looks, etc. Effrontery rises still higher, and shows a total or shameless disregard of duty or decorum under the circumstances of the case. Sauciness discovers itself toward particular individuals, in certain relations; as in the case of servants who are saucy to their masters, or children who are saucy to their teachers. See Impertinent, and Insolent.

Im"pu*den*cy (?), n. Impudence. [Obs.] Burton.

Audacious without impudency.
Shak.

Im"pu*dent (?), a. [L. impudens, -entis; pref. im- not + pudens ashamed, modest, p. pr. of pudere to feel shame: cf. F. impudent.] Bold, with contempt or disregard; unblushingly forward; impertinent; wanting modesty; shameless; saucy.

More than impudent sauciness.
Shak.

When we behold an angel, not to fear
Is to be impudent.
Dryden.

Syn. -- Shameless; audacious; brazen; bold-faced; pert; immodest; rude; saucy; impertinent; insolent.

Im"pu*dent*ly, adv. In an impudent manner; with unbecoming assurance; shamelessly.

At once assail
With open mouths, and impudently rail.
Sandys.

Im`pu*dic"i*ty (?), n. [L. impudicus immodest; im- not + pudicus shamefaced, modest: cf. F. impudicité, L. impudicitia.] Immodesty. Sheldon.

Im*pugn" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impugned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Impugning.] [OE. impugnen, F. impugner, fr. L. impugnare; in on, against + pugnare to flight. See Pugnacious.] To attack by words or arguments; to contradict; to assail; to call in question; to make insinuations against; to gainsay; to oppose.

The truth hereof I will not rashly impugn, or overboldly affirm.
Peacham.

Im*pugn"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being impugned; that may be gainsaid.

Im`pug*na"tion (?), n. [L. impugnatio: cf. OF. impugnation.] Act of impugning; opposition; attack. [Obs.]

A perpetual impugnation and self- conflict.
Bp. Hall.

Im*pugn"er (?), n. One who impugns.

Im*pugn"ment (?), n. The act of impugning, or the state of being impugned. Ed. Rev.

Im*pu"is*sance (?), n. [Cf. F. impuissance.] Lack of power; inability. Bacon.

Their own impuissance and weakness.
Holland.

Im*pu"is*sant (?), a. [F., fr. pref. im- not + puissant. See Puissant.] Weak; impotent; feeble.

Im"pulse (?), n. [L. impulsus, fr. impellere. See Impel.]

1. The act of impelling, or driving onward with sudden force; impulsion; especially, force so communicated as to produced motion suddenly, or immediately.

All spontaneous animal motion is performed by mechanical impulse.
S. Clarke.

2. The effect of an impelling force; motion produced by a sudden or momentary force.

3. (Mech.) The action of a force during a very small interval of time; the effect of such action; as, the impulse of a sudden blow upon a hard elastic body.

4. A mental force which simply and directly urges to action; hasty inclination; sudden motive; momentary or transient influence of appetite or passion; propension; incitement; as, a man of good impulses; passion often gives a violent impulse to the will.

These were my natural impulses for the undertaking.
Dryden.

Syn. -- Force; incentive; influence; motive; feeling; incitement; instigation.

Im*pulse" (?), v. t. [See Impel.] To impel; to incite. [Obs.] Pope.

Im*pul"sion (?), n. [L. impulsio: cf. F. impulsion. See Impel.]

1. The act of impelling or driving onward, or the state of being impelled; the sudden or momentary agency of a body in motion on another body; also, the impelling force, or impulse. "The impulsion of the air." Bacon.

2. Influence acting unexpectedly or temporarily on the mind; sudden motive or influence; impulse. "The impulsion of conscience." Clarendon. "Divine impulsion prompting." Milton.

Im*pul"sive (?), a. [Cf. F. impulsif.]

1. Having the power of driving or impelling; giving an impulse; moving; impellent.

Poor men! poor papers! We and they
Do some impulsive force obey.
Prior.

2. Actuated by impulse or by transient feelings.

My heart, impulsive and wayward.
Longfellow.

3. (Mech.) Acting momentarily, or by impulse; not continuous; -- said of forces.

Im*pul"sive (?), n. That which impels or gives an impulse; an impelling agent. Sir W. Wotton.

Im*pul"sive*ly, adv. In an impulsive manner.

Im*pul"sive*ness, n. The quality of being impulsive.

Im*pul"sor (?), n. [L.] One who, or that which, impels; an inciter. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

Im*punc"tate (?), a. Not punctate or dotted.

Im*punc"tu*al (?), a. [Pref. im- not + punctual: cf. F. imponctuel.] Not punctual. [R.]

Im*punc`tu*al"i*ty (?), n. Neglect of, or failure in, punctuality. [R.] A. Hamilton.

Im*pune" (?), a. [L. impunis.] Unpunished. [R.]

Im*pu"ni*bly (?), adv. Without punishment; with impunity. [Obs.] J. Ellis.

Im*pu"ni*ty (?), n. [L. impunitas, fr. impunis without punishment; pref. im- not + poena punishment: cf. F. impunité. See Pain.] Exemption or freedom from punishment, harm, or loss.

Heaven, though slow to wrath,
Is never with impunity defied.
Cowper.

The impunity and also the recompense.
Holland.

Im`pu*ra"tion (?), n. Defilement; obscuration. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

Im*pure" (?), a. [L. impurus; pref. im- not + purus pure: cf. F. impur. See Pure.]

1. Not pure; not clean; dirty; foul; filthy; containing something which is unclean or unwholesome; mixed or impregnated extraneous substances; adulterated; as, impure water or air; impure drugs, food, etc.

2. Defiled by sin or guilt; unholy; unhallowed; -- said of persons or things.

3. Unchaste; lewd; unclean; obscene; as, impure language or ideas. "Impure desires." Cowper.

4. (Script.) Not purified according to the ceremonial law of Moses; unclean.

5. (Language) Not accurate; not idiomatic; as, impure Latin; an impure style.

Im*pure", v. t. To defile; to pollute. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

Im*pure"ly, adv. In an impure manner.

Im*pure"ness, n. The quality or condition of being impure; impurity. Milton.

Im*pu"ri*ty (?), n.; pl. Impurities (#). [L. impuritas: cf. F. impureté.]

1. The condition or quality of being impure in any sense; defilement; foulness; adulteration.

Profaneness, impurity, or scandal, is not wit.
Buckminster.

2. That which is, or which renders anything, impure; foul matter, action, language, etc.; a foreign ingredient.

Foul impurities reigned among the monkish clergy.
Atterbury.

3. (Script.) Want of ceremonial purity; defilement.

Im*pur"ple (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impurpled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Impurpling (?).] [Pref. im- in + purple. Cf. Empurple.] To color or tinge with purple; to make red or reddish; to purple; as, a field impurpled with blood.

Impurpled with celestial roses, smiled.
Milton.

The silken fleece impurpled for the loom.
Pope.

Im*put`a*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality of being imputable; imputableness.

Im*put"a*ble (?), a. [Cf. F. imputable.]

1. That may be imputed; capable of being imputed; chargeable; ascribable; attributable; referable.

A prince whose political vices, at least, were imputable to mental incapacity.
Prescott.

2. Accusable; culpable. [R.]

The fault lies at his door, and she is no wise imputable.
Ayliffe.

Im*put"a*ble*ness, n. Quality of being imputable.

Im*put"a*bly, adv. By imputation.

Im`pu*ta"tion (?), [L. imputatio an account, a charge: cf. F. imputation.]

1. The act of imputing or charging; attribution; ascription; also, anything imputed or charged.

Shylock. Antonio is a good man.
Bassanio. Have you heard any imputation to the contrary?
Shak.

If I had a suit to Master Shallow, I would humor his men with the imputation of being near their master.
Shak.

2. Charge or attribution of evil; censure; reproach; insinuation.

Let us be careful to guard ourselves against these groundless imputation of our enemies.
Addison.

3. (Theol.) A setting of something to the account of; the attribution of personal guilt or personal righteousness of another; as, the imputation of the sin of Adam, or the righteousness of Christ.

4. Opinion; intimation; hint.

Im*put"a*tive (?), a. [L. imputativus: cf. F. imputatif.] Transferred by imputation; that may be imputed. -- Im*put"a*tive*ly, adv.

Actual righteousness as well as imputative.
Bp. Warburton.

Im*pute" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imputed; p. pr. & vb. n. Imputing.] [F. imputer, L. imputare to bring into the reckoning, charge, impute; pref. im- in + putare to reckon, think. See Putative.]

1. To charge; to ascribe; to attribute; to set to the account of; to charge to one as the author, responsible originator, or possessor; -- generally in a bad sense.

Nor you, ye proud, impute to these the fault,
If memory o'er their tomb no trophies raise.
Gray.

One vice of a darker shade was imputed to him - - envy.
Macaulay.

2. (Theol.) To adjudge as one's own (the sin or righteousness) of another; as, the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us.

It was imputed to him for righteousness.
Rom. iv. 22.

They merit
Imputed shall absolve them who renounce
Their own, both righteous and unrighteous deeds.
Milton.

3. To take account of; to consider; to regard. [R.]

If we impute this last humiliation as the cause of his death.
Gibbon.

Syn. -- To ascribe; attribute; charge; reckon; consider; imply; insinuate; refer. See Ascribe.

Im*put"er (?), n. One who imputes.

Im`pu*tres"ci*ble (?), a. [Pref. im- + putrescible: cf. F. imputrescible.] Not putrescible.

Im"righ (?), n. [Scot.; Gael. eun- bhrigh chicken soup.] A peculiar strong soup or broth, made in Scotland. [Written also imrich.]

In- (?). [See In, prep. Cf. Em-, En-.] A prefix from Eng. prep. in, also from Lat. prep. in, meaning in, into, on, among; as, inbred, inborn, inroad; incline, inject, intrude. In words from the Latin, in- regularly becomes il- before l, ir- before r, and im- before a labial; as, illusion, irruption, imblue, immigrate, impart. In- is sometimes used with an simple intensive force.

In- (?). [L. in-; akin to E. un-. See Un-.] An inseparable prefix, or particle, meaning not, non-, un- as, inactive, incapable, inapt. In- regularly becomes il- before l, ir- before r, and im- before a labial.

-in. A suffix. See the Note under - ine.

In, prep. [AS. in; akin to D. & G. in, Icel. ī, Sw. & Dan. i, OIr. & L. in, Gr. 'en. √197. Cf. 1st In-, Inn.] The specific signification of in is situation or place with respect to surrounding, environment, encompassment, etc. It is used with verbs signifying being, resting, or moving within limits, or within circumstances or conditions of any kind conceived of as limiting, confining, or investing, either wholly or in part. In its different applications, it approaches some of the meanings of, and sometimes is interchangeable with, within, into, on, at, of, and among. It is used: --

1. With reference to space or place; as, he lives in Boston; he traveled in Italy; castles in the air.

The babe lying in a manger.
Luke ii. 16.

Thy sun sets weeping in the lowly west.
Shak.

Situated in the forty-first degree of latitude.
Gibbon.

Matter for censure in every page.
Macaulay.

2. With reference to circumstances or conditions; as, he is in difficulties; she stood in a blaze of light. "Fettered in amorous chains." Shak.

Wrapt in sweet sounds, as in bright veils.
Shelley.

3. With reference to a whole which includes or comprises the part spoken of; as, the first in his family; the first regiment in the army.

Nine in ten of those who enter the ministry.
Swift.

4. With reference to physical surrounding, personal states, etc., abstractly denoted; as, I am in doubt; the room is in darkness; to live in fear.

When shall we three meet again,
In thunder, lightning, or in rain?
Shak.

5. With reference to character, reach, scope, or influence considered as establishing a limitation; as, to be in one's favor. "In sight of God's high throne." Milton.

Sounds inharmonious in themselves, and harsh.
Cowper.

6. With reference to movement or tendency toward a certain limit or environment; -- sometimes equivalent to into; as, to put seed in the ground; to fall in love; to end in death; to put our trust in God.

He would not plunge his brother in despair.
Addison.

She had no jewels to deposit in their caskets.
Fielding.

7. With reference to a limit of time; as, in an hour; it happened in the last century; in all my life.

In as much as, or Inasmuch as, in the degree that; in like manner as; in consideration that; because that; since. See Synonym of Because, and cf. For as much as, under For, prep. -- In that, because; for the reason that. "Some things they do in that they are men . . . ; some things in that they are men misled and blinded with error." Hooker. -- In the name of, in behalf of; on the part of; by authority; as, it was done in the name of the people; -- often used in invocation, swearing, praying, and the like. -- To be in for it. (a) To be in favor of a thing; to be committed to a course. (b) To be unable to escape from a danger, penalty, etc. [Colloq.] -- To be (or keep) in with. (a) To be close or near; as, to keep a ship in with the land. (b) To be on terms of friendship, familiarity, or intimacy with; to secure and retain the favor of. [Colloq.]

Syn. -- Into; within; on; at. See At.

In, adv. 1. Not out; within; inside. In, the preposition, becomes an adverb by omission of its object, leaving it as the representative of an adverbial phrase, the context indicating what the omitted object is; as, he takes in the situation (i. e., he comprehends it in his mind); the Republicans were in (i. e., in office); in at one ear and out at the other (i. e., in or into the head); his side was in (i. e., in the turn at the bat); he came in (i. e., into the house).

Their vacation . . . falls in so pat with ours.
Lamb.

&fist; The sails of a vessel are said, in nautical language, to be in when they are furled, or when stowed.

In certain cases in has an adjectival sense; as, the in train (i. e., the incoming train); compare up grade, down grade, undertow, afterthought, etc.

2. (Law) With privilege or possession; -- used to denote a holding, possession, or seisin; as, in by descent; in by purchase; in of the seisin of her husband. Burrill.

In and in breeding. See under Breeding. -- In and out (Naut.), through and through; -- said of a through bolt in a ship's side. Knight. -- To be in, to be at home; as, Mrs. A. is in. -- To come in. See under Come.

In, n. [Usually in the plural.] 1. One who is in office; -- the opposite of out.

2. A reëntrant angle; a nook or corner.

Ins and outs, nooks and corners; twists and turns.

All the ins and outs of this neighborhood.
D. Jerrold.

In (?), v. t. To inclose; to take in; to harvest. [Obs.]

He that ears my land spares my team and gives me leave to in the crop.
Shak.

In`a*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Pref. in- not + ability: cf. F. inhabileté. See Able, and cf. Unable.] The quality or state of being unable; lack of ability; want of sufficient power, strength, resources, or capacity.

It is not from an inability to discover what they ought to do, that men err in practice.
Blair.

Syn. -- Impotence; incapacity; incompetence; weakness; powerlessness; incapability. See Disability.

In*a"ble (?), v. t. See Enable.

In*a"ble*ment (?), n. See Enablement. [Obs.]

In*ab"sti*nence (?), n. [Pref. in- not + abstinence: cf. F. inabstinence.] Want of abstinence; indulgence. [Obs.] "The inabstinence of Eve." Milton.

In`ab*stract"ed (?), a. Not abstracted.

In`a*bu"sive*ly (?), adv. Without abuse.

In`ac*cess`i*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. inaccessibilité.] The quality or state of being inaccessible; inaccessibleness. "The inaccessibility of the precipice." Bp. Butler.

In`ac*cess"i*ble (?), a. [L. inaccessibilis: cf. F. inaccessible. See In- not, and Accessible.] Not accessible; not to be reached, obtained, or approached; as, an inaccessible rock, fortress, document, prince, etc. -- In`ac*cess"i*ble*ness, n. -- In`ac*cess"i*bly, adv.

In`ac*cord"ant (?), a. Not accordant; discordant.

In*ac"cu*ra*cy (?), n.; pl. Inaccuracies (&?;).

1. The quality of being inaccurate; want of accuracy or exactness.

2. That which is inaccurate or incorrect; mistake; fault; defect; error; as, in inaccuracy in speech, copying, calculation, etc.

In*ac"cu*rate (?), a. Not accurate; not according to truth; inexact; incorrect; erroneous; as, in inaccurate man, narration, copy, judgment, calculation, etc.

The expression is plainly inaccurate.
Bp. Hurd.

Syn. -- Inexact; incorrect; erroneous; faulty; imperfect; incomplete; defective.

In*ac"cu*rate*ly, adv. In an inaccurate manner; incorrectly; inexactly.

In`ac*quaint"ance (?), a. Want of acquaintance. Good.

In*ac`qui*es"cent (?), a. Not acquiescent or acquiescing.

In*ac"tion (?), n. [Pref. in. not + action: cf. inaction.] Want of action or activity; forbearance from labor; idleness; rest; inertness. Berkeley.

In*ac"tive (?), a. [Pref. in- not + active: cf. F. inactif.]

1. Not active; having no power to move; that does not or can not produce results; inert; as, matter is, of itself, inactive.

2. Not disposed to action or effort; not diligent or industrious; not busy; idle; as, an inactive officer.

3. (Chem. & Opt.) Not active; inert; esp., not exhibiting any action or activity on polarized light; optically neutral; -- said of isomeric forms of certain substances, in distinction from other forms which are optically active; as, racemic acid is an inactive tartaric acid.

Syn. -- Inert; dull; sluggish; idle; indolent; slothful; lazy. See Inert.

In*ac"tive*ly, adv. In an inactive manner. Locke.

In`ac*tiv"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. inactivité.]

1. The state or quality of being inactive; inertness; as, the inactivity of matter.

2. Idleness; habitual indisposition to action or exertion; want of energy; sluggishness.

The gloomy inactivity of despair.
Cook.

In*ac"tose (?), n. (Chem.) A variety of sugar, found in certain plants. It is optically inactive.

In*ac"tu*ate (?), v. t. To put in action. [Obs.]

In*ac`tu*a"tion (?), n. Operation. [Obs.]

In*ad`ap*ta"tion (?), n. Want of adaptation; unsuitableness.

In*ad"e*qua*cy (?), n. [From Inadequate.] The quality or state of being inadequate or insufficient; defectiveness; insufficiency; inadequateness.

The inadequacy and consequent inefficacy of the alleged causes.
Dr. T. Dwight.

In*ad"e*quate (?), a. [Pref. in- not + adequate: cf. F. inadéquat.] Not adequate; unequal to the purpose; insufficient; deficient; as, inadequate resources, power, conceptions, representations, etc. Dryden.

-- In*ad"e*quate*ly, adv. -- In*ad"e*quate*ness, n.

In*ad`e*qua"tion (?), n. Want of exact correspondence. [Obs.] Puller.

In`ad*her"ent (?), a. 1. Not adhering.

2. (Bot.) Free; not connected with the other organs.

In`ad*he"sion (?), n. Want of adhesion.

In`ad*mis`si*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. inadmissibilité.] The state or quality of being inadmissible, or not to be received.

In`ad*mis"si*ble (?), a. [Pref. in- not + admissible: cf. F. inadmissible.] Not admissible; not proper to be admitted, allowed, or received; as, inadmissible testimony; an inadmissible proposition, or explanation. -- In`ad*mis"si*bly, adv.

{ In`ad*vert"ence (?); pl. -ces (&?;), In`ad*vert"en*cy (?); pl. - cies (&?;), } n. [Cf. F. inadvertance.]

1. The quality of being inadvertent; lack of heedfulness or attentiveness; inattention; negligence; as, many mistakes proceed from inadvertence.

Inadvertency, or want of attendance to the sense and intention of our prayers.
Jer. Taylor.

2. An effect of inattention; a result of carelessness; an oversight, mistake, or fault from negligence.

The productions of a great genius, with many lapses an inadvertencies, are infinitely preferable to works of an inferior kind of author which are scrupulously exact.
Addison.

Syn. -- Inattention; heedlessness; carelessness; negligence; thoughtlessness. See Inattention.

In`ad*vert"ent (?), a. [Cf. F. inadvertant. See 2d In-, and Advert.] Not turning the mind to a matter; heedless; careless; negligent; inattentive.

An inadvertent step may crush the snail
That crawls at evening in the public path.
Cowper.

-- In`ad*vert"ent*ly, adv.

In`ad*vis"a*ble (?), a. Not advisable. -- In`ad*vis"a*ble*ness, n.

In*af`fa*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. inaffabilité.] Want of affability or sociability; reticence.

In*af"fa*ble (?), a. [Pref. in- not + affable.] Not affable; reserved in social intercourse.

In*af`fec*ta"tion (?), n. [Pref. in- not + affectation: cf. F. inaffectation.] Freedom from affectation; naturalness. [R.]

In`af*fect"ed (?), a. Unaffected. [Obs.] -- In`af*fect"ed*ly, adv. [Obs.]

In*aid"a*ble (?), a. Incapable of being assisted; helpless. [R.] Shak.

In*al`ien*a*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being inalienable.

In*al"ien*a*ble (?), a. [Pref. in- not + alienable: cf. F. inaliénable.] Incapable of being alienated, surrendered, or transferred to another; not alienable; as, in inalienable birthright.

In*al"ien*a*ble*ness, n. The quality or state of being inalienable; inalienability.

In*al"ien*a*bly, adv. In a manner that forbids alienation; as, rights inalienably vested.

In*al`i*men"tal (?), a. Affording no aliment or nourishment. [Obs.] Bacon.

In*al`ter*a*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. inaltérabilité.] The quality of being unalterable or unchangeable; permanence.

In*al"ter*a*ble (?), a. [Pref. in- not + alterable: cf. F. inaltérable.] Not alterable; incapable of being altered or changed; unalterable. -- In*al"ter*a*ble*ness, n. -- In*al"ter*a*bly, adv.

In*a"mi*a*ble (?), a. Unamiable. [Obs.] -- In*a"mi*a*ble*ness, n. [Obs.]

In`a*mis"si*ble (?), a. [L. inamissibilis: cf. F. inamissible.] Incapable of being lost. [R.] Hammond. -- In`a*mis"si*ble*ness, n. [R.]

In*a`mo*ra"ta (?), n. [It. innamorata, fem., innamorato, masc., p. p. of innamorare to inspire with love. See Enamor.] A woman in love; a mistress. "The fair inamorata." Sherburne.

In*am"o*rate (?), a. Enamored. Chapman. -- In*am"o*rate*ly, adv. [R.]

||In*a`mo*ra"to (?), n.; pl. Inamoratos (#). [See Inamorata.] A male lover.

In`a*mov"a*ble (?), a. Not amovable or removable. [R.] Palgrave.

In"-and-in" (?), n. An old game played with four dice. In signified a doublet, or two dice alike; in-and-in, either two doubles, or the four dice alike.

In and in, a. & adv. Applied to breeding from a male and female of the same parentage. See under Breeding.

In*ane" (?), a. [L. inanis.] Without contents; empty; void of sense or intelligence; purposeless; pointless; characterless; useless. "Vague and inane instincts." I. Taylor. -- In*ane"ly, adv.

In*ane", n. That which is void or empty. [R.]

The undistinguishable inane of infinite space.
Locke.

In*an"gu*lar (?), a. Not angular. [Obs.]

{ In`a*nil"o*quent (?), In`a*nil"o*quous (?), } a. [L. inanis empty + loqui to speak.] Given to talking inanely; loquacious; garrulous. [R.]

In*an"i*mate (?), v. t. [Pref. in- in (or intensively) + animate.] To animate. [Obs.] Donne.

In*an"i*mate (?), a. [L. inanimatus; pref. in- not + animatus animate.] Not animate; destitute of life or spirit; lifeless; dead; inactive; dull; as, stones and earth are inanimate substances.

Grieving, if aught inanimate e'er grieves.
Byron.

Syn. -- Lifeless; dead; inert; inactive; dull; soulless; spiritless. See Lifeless.

In*an"i*ma`ted (?), a. Destitute of life; lacking animation; unanimated. Pope.

In*an"i*mate*ness (?), n. The quality or state of being inanimate.

The deadness and inanimateness of the subject.
W. Montagu.

In*an`i*ma"tion (?), n. [See 2d Inanimate.] Want of animation; lifeless; dullness.

In*an`i*ma"tion, n. [See 1st Inanimate.] Infusion of life or vigor; animation; inspiration. [Obs.]

The inanimation of Christ living and breathing within us.
Bp. Hall.

In`a*ni"ti*ate (?), v. t. To produce inanition in; to exhaust for want of nourishment. [R.]

In`a*ni`ti*a"tion (?), n. Inanition. [R.]

In`a*ni"tion (?), n. [F. inanition, L. inanitio emptiness, fr. inanire to empty, fr. inanis empty. Cf. Inane.] The condition of being inane; emptiness; want of fullness, as in the vessels of the body; hence, specifically, exhaustion from want of food, either from partial or complete starvation, or from a disorder of the digestive apparatus, producing the same result.

Feeble from inanition, inert from weariness.
Landor.

Repletion and inanition may both do harm in two contrary extremes.
Burton.

In*an"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Inanities (#). [L. inanitas, fr. inanis empty: cf. F. inanité. See Inane.]

1. Inanition; void space; vacuity; emptiness.

2. Want of seriousness; aimlessness; frivolity.

3. An inane, useless thing or pursuit; a vanity; a silly object; -- chiefly in pl.; as, the inanities of the world.

In*an"ther*ate (?), a. (Bot.) Not bearing anthers; -- said of sterile stamens.

||In an"tis (?). [L.] (Arch.) Between antæ; -- said of a portico in classical style, where columns are set between two antæ, forming the angles of the building. See Anta.

In*ap"a*thy (?), n. Sensibility; feeling; -- opposed to apathy. [R.]

In`ap*peal"a*ble (?), a. Not admitting of appeal; not appealable. Coleridge.

In`ap*peas"a*ble (?), a. Incapable of being appeased or satisfied; unappeasable.

In`ap*pel`la*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality of being inappellable; finality.

The inappellability of the councils.
Coleridge.

In`ap*pel"la*ble (?), a. Inappealable; final.

{ In*ap"pe*tence (?), In*ap"pe*ten*cy (?), } n. [Pref. in- not + appetence: cf. F. inappétence.] Want of appetency; want of desire.

In*ap`pli*ca*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. inapplicabilité.] The quality of being inapplicable; unfitness; inapplicableness.

In*ap"pli*ca*ble (?), a. [Pref. in- not + applicable.] Not applicable; incapable of being applied; not adapted; not suitable; as, the argument is inapplicable to the case. J. S. Mill.

Syn. -- Unsuitable; unsuited; unadapted; inappropriate; inapposite; irrelevant.

-- In*ap"pli*ca*ble*ness, n. -- In*ap"pli*ca*bly, adv.

In*ap`pli*ca"tion (?), n. [Pref. in- not + application: cf. F. inapplication.] Want of application, attention, or diligence; negligence; indolence.

In*ap"po*site (?), a. Not apposite; not fit or suitable; not pertinent. -- In*ap"po*site*ly, adv.

In`ap*pre"ci*a*ble (?), a. [Pref. in- not + appreciable: cf. F. inappréciable.] Not appreciable; too small to be perceived; incapable of being duly valued or estimated. Hallam.

In`ap*pre"ci*a"tion (?), n. Want of appreciation.

In*ap`pre*hen"si*ble (?), a. [L. inapprehensibilis: cf. F. inappréhensible.] Not apprehensible; unintelligible; inconceivable. Milton.

In*ap`pre*hen"sion (?), n. Want of apprehension.

In*ap`pre*hen"sive (?), a. Not apprehensive; regardless; unconcerned. Jer. Taylor.

In`ap*proach"a*ble (?), a. Not approachable; unapproachable; inaccessible; unequaled. -- In`ap*proach"a*bly, adv.

In`ap*pro"pri*ate (?), a. Not instrument (to); not appropriate; unbecoming; unsuitable; not specially fitted; -- followed by to or for. -- In`ap*pro"pri*ate*ly, adv. -- In`ap*pro"pri*ate*ness, n.

In*apt" (?), a. [Pref. in- not + apt: cf. F. inapte. Cf. Inept.] Unapt; not apt; unsuitable; inept. -- In*apt"ly, adv. -- In*apt"ness, n.

In*apt"i*tude (?), n. [In- + aptitude: cf. F. inaptitude. Cf. Ineptitude.] Want of aptitude.

In*a"quate (?), a. [L. inaquatus, p. p. of inaquare to make into water; pref. in- in + aqua water.] Embodied in, or changed into, water. [Obs.] Cranmer.

In`a*qua"tion (?), n. The state of being inaquate. [Obs.] Bp. Gardiner.

In*ar"a*ble (?), a. Not arable. [R.]

In*arch" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inarched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Inarching.] To graft by uniting, as a scion, to a stock, without separating either from its root before the union is complete; -- also called to graft by approach. P. Miler.

In*arch"ing, n. A method of ingrafting. See Inarch.

In`ar*tic"u*late (?), a. [L. inarticulatus; pref. in- not + articulatus articulate.]

1. Not uttered with articulation or intelligible distinctness, as speech or words.

Music which is inarticulate poesy.
Dryden.

2. (Zoöl.) (a) Not jointed or articulated; having no distinct body segments; as, an inarticulate worm. (b) Without a hinge; -- said of an order (Inarticulata or Ecardines) of brachiopods.

3. Incapable of articulating. [R.]

The poor earl, who is inarticulate with palsy.
Walpole.

In`ar*tic"u*la`ted (?), a. Not articulated; not jointed or connected by a joint.

In`ar*tic"u*late*ly (?), adv. In an inarticulate manner. Hammond.

In`ar*tic"u*late*ness, n. The state or quality of being inarticulate.

In`ar*tic`u*la"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. inarticulation.] Inarticulateness. Chesterfield.

In*ar`ti*fi"cial (?), a. [Pref. in- not + artificial: cf. F. inartificiel.] Not artificial; not made or elaborated by art; natural; simple; artless; as, an inartificial argument; an inartificial character. -- In*ar`ti*fi"cial*ly, adv. -- In*ar`ti*fi"cial*ness, n.

In`as*much" (?), adv. [In + as + much.] In like degree; in like manner; seeing that; considering that; since; -- followed by as. See In as much as, under In, prep.

Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
Matt. xxv. 45.

Syn. -- Because; since; for; as. See Because.

In`at*ten"tion (?), n. [Pref. in- not + attention: cf. F. inattention.] Want of attention, or failure to pay attention; disregard; heedlessness; neglect.

Novel lays attract our ravished ears;
But old, the mind inattention hears.
Pope.

Syn. -- Inadvertence; heedlessness; negligence; carelessness; disregard; remissness; thoughtlessness; neglect. -- Inattention, Inadvertence. We miss seeing a thing through inadvertence when do not happen to look at it; through inattention when we give no heed to it, though directly before us. The latter is therefore the worse. Inadvertence may be an involuntary accident; inattention is culpable neglect. A versatile mind is often inadvertent; a careless or stupid one is inattentive.

In`at*ten"tive (?), a. [Cf. F. inattentif.] Not attentive; not fixing the mind on an object; heedless; careless; negligent; regardless; as, an inattentive spectator or hearer; an inattentive habit. I. Watts.

Syn. -- Careless; heedless; regardless; thoughtless; negligent; remiss; inadvertent.

-- In`at*ten"tive*ly, adv. -- In`at*ten"tive*ness, n.

In*au`di*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality of being inaudible; inaudibleness.

In*au"di*ble (?), a. [L. inaudibilis; pref. in- not + audire to hear: cf. F. unaudible. See In- not, and Audible.] Not audible; incapable of being heard; silent. -- In*au"di*ble*ness, n. -- In*au"di*bly, adv.

In*au"gur (?), v. t. [Cf. F. inaugurer. See Inaugurate.] To inaugurate. [Obs.] Latimer.

In*au"gu*ral (?), a. [Cf. F. inaugural.] Pertaining to, or performed or pronounced at, an inauguration; as, an inaugural address; the inaugural exercises.

In*au"gu*ral, n. An inaugural address. [U.S.]

In*au"gu*rate (?), a. [L. inauguratus, p. p. of inaugurare to take omens from the flight of birds (before entering upon any important undertaking); hence, to consecrate, inaugurate, or install, with such divination; pref. in- in + augurare, augurari, to augur. See Augur.] Invested with office; inaugurated. Drayton.

In*au"gu*rate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inaugurated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Inaugurating (?).]

1. To introduce or induct into an office with suitable ceremonies or solemnities; to invest with power or authority in a formal manner; to install; as, to inaugurate a president; to inaugurate a king. Milton.

2. To cause to begin, esp. with formality or solemn ceremony; hence, to set in motion, action, or progress; to initiate; -- used especially of something of dignity or worth or public concern; as, to inaugurate a new era of things, new methods, etc.

As if kings did choose remarkable days to inaugurate their favors.
Sir H. Wotton.

3. To celebrate the completion of, or the first public use of; to dedicate, as a statue. [Colloq.]

4. To begin with good omens. [Obs.] Sir H. Wotton.

In*au`gu*ra"tion (?), n. [L. inauguratio a beginning: cf. F. inauguration.]

1. The act of inuagurating, or inducting into office with solemnity; investiture by appropriate ceremonies.

At his regal inauguration, his old father resigned the kingdom to him.
Sir T. Browne.

2. The formal beginning or initiation of any movement, course of action, etc.; as, the inauguration of a new system, a new condition, etc.

In*au"gu*ra`tor (?), n. One who inaugurates.

In*au"gu*ra*to*ry (?), a. Suitable for, or pertaining to, inauguration. Johnson.

In*au"rate (?), a. [L. inauratus, p. p. inaurare to gild; pref. in- in + aurum gold.] Covered with gold; gilded.

In*au"rate (?), v. t. To cover with gold; to gild.

In`au*ra"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. inauration.] The act or process of gilding or covering with gold.

In*aus"pi*cate (?), a. [L. inauspicatus; pref. in- not + auspicatus, p. p. auspicari. See Auspicate.] Inauspicious. [Obs.] Sir G. Buck.

In`aus*pi"cious (?), a. Not auspicious; ill-omened; unfortunate; unlucky; unfavorable. "Inauspicious stars." Shak. "Inauspicious love." Dryden.

-- In`aus*pi"cious*ly, adv. -- In`aus*pi"cious*ness, n.

In`au*thor"i*ta*tive (?), a. Without authority; not authoritative.

In"barge (?), v. t. & i. To embark; to go or put into a barge. [Obs.] Drayton.

In"beam`ing (?), n. Shining in. South.

In"be`ing (?), n. Inherence; inherent existence. I. Watts.

In*bind" (?), v. t. To inclose. [Obs.] Fairfax.

In"blown` (?), a. Blown in or into. [Obs.]

In"board` (?), a. & adv. 1. (Naut.) Inside the line of a vessel's bulwarks or hull; the opposite of outboard; as, an inboard cargo; haul the boom inboard.

2. (Mech.) From without inward; toward the inside; as, the inboard stroke of a steam engine piston, the inward or return stroke.

In"born` (?), a. Born in or with; implanted by nature; innate; as, inborn passions. Cowper.

Syn. -- Innate; inherent; natural.

{ In"break` (?), In"break`ing, } n. A breaking in; inroad; invasion.

In*breathe" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inbreathed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Inbreathing.] To infuse by breathing; to inspire. Coleridge.

In"bred` (?), a. Bred within; innate; as, inbred worth. "Inbred sentiments." Burke.

In*breed" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inbred (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Inbreeding.] [Cf. Imbreed.]

1. To produce or generate within. Bp. Reynolds.

To inbreed and cherish . . . the seeds of virtue.
Milton.

2. To breed in and in. See under Breed, v. i.

In"burn`ing (?), a. Burning within.

Her inburning wrath she gan abate.
Spenser.

In"burnt` (?), a. Burnt in; ineffaceable.

Her inburnt, shamefaced thoughts.
P. Fletcher.

In"burst` (?), n. A bursting in or into.

Inc (?), n. A Japanese measure of length equal to about two and one twelfth yards. [Written also ink.]

In"ca (?), n. (a) An emperor or monarch of Peru before, or at the time of, the Spanish conquest; any member of this royal dynasty, reputed to have been descendants of the sun. (b) pl. The people governed by the Incas, now represented by the Quichua tribe.

Inca dove (Zoöl.), a small dove (Scardafella inca), native of Arizona, Lower California, and Mexico.

In*cage" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Incaged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Incaging (?).] [Cf. Encage.] To confine in, or as in, a cage; to coop up. [Written also encage.] "Incaged birds." Shak.

In*cage"ment (?), n. Confinement in, or as in, cage. [Obs.] Shelton.

In*cal`cu*la*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being incalculable.

In*cal"cu*la*ble (?), a. [Pref. in- not + calculable: cf. F. incalculable.] Not capable of being calculated; beyond calculation; very great. -- In*cal"cu*la*ble*ness, n. -- In*cal"cu*la*bly, adv.

In`ca*les"cence (?), n. The state of being incalescent, or of growing warm. Sir T. Browne.

In`ca*les"cen*cy (?), n. Incalescence. Ray.

In`ca*les"cent (?), a. [L. incalescens, -entis, p. pr. of incalescere to grow hot. See 1st In-, and Calescence.] Growing warm; increasing in heat.

In*cam`er*a"tion (?), n. [Pref. in- in + L. camera chamber, LL., also, jurisdiction: cf. F. incamération, It. incamerazione.] (R. C. Ch.) The act or process of uniting lands, rights, or revenues, to the ecclesiastical chamber, i. e., to the pope's domain.

In"can (?), a. Of or pertaining to the Incas.

In`can*des"cence (?), n. [Cf. F. incandescence.] A white heat, or the glowing or luminous whiteness of a body caused by intense heat.

In`can*des"cent (?), a. [L. incandecens, -entis, p. pr. of incandescere to become warm or hot; pref. in- in + candescere to become of a glittering whiteness, to become red hot, incho. fr. candere to be of a glittering whiteness: cf. F. incandescent. See Candle.] White, glowing, or luminous, with intense heat; as, incandescent carbon or platinum; hence, clear; shining; brilliant.

Holy Scripture become resplendent; or, as one might say, incandescent throughout.
I. Taylor.

Incandescent lamp or light (Elec.), a kind of lamp in which the light is produced by a thin filament of conducting material, usually carbon, contained in a vacuum, and heated to incandescence by an electric current, as in the Edison lamp; -- called also incandescence lamp, and glowlamp.

In`ca*nes"cent (?), a. [L. incanescens, p. pr. incanescere to become gray.] Becoming hoary or gray; canescent.

In*ca"nous (?), a. [L. incanus; pref. in- in + canus hoary.] (Bot.) Hoary with white pubescence.

In`can*ta"tion (?), n. [L. incantatio, fr. incantare to chant a magic formula over one: cf. F. incantation. See Enchant.]

1. The act or process of using formulas sung or spoken, with occult ceremonies, for the purpose of raising spirits, producing enchantment, or affecting other magical results; enchantment. "Mysterious ceremony and incantation." Burke.

2. A formula of words used as above.

In*cant"a*to*ry (?), a. Dealing by enchantment; magical. Sir T. Browne.

In*cant"ing, a. Enchanting. [Obs.] Sir T. Herbert.

In*can"ton (?), v. t. To unite to, or form into, a canton or separate community. Addison.

In*ca`pa*bil"i*ty (?), n. 1. The quality of being incapable; incapacity. Suckling.

2. (Law) Want of legal qualifications, or of legal power; as, incapability of holding an office.

In*ca"pa*ble (?), a. [Pref. in- not + capable: cf. F. incapable, L. incapabilis incomprehensible.]

1. Wanting in ability or qualification for the purpose or end in view; not large enough to contain or hold; deficient in physical strength, mental or moral power, etc.; not capable; as, incapable of holding a certain quantity of liquid; incapable of endurance, of comprehension, of perseverance, of reform, etc.

2. Not capable of being brought to do or perform, because morally strong or well disposed; -- used with reference to some evil; as, incapable of wrong, dishonesty, or falsehood.

3. Not in a state to receive; not receptive; not susceptible; not able to admit; as, incapable of pain, or pleasure; incapable of stain or injury.

4. (Law) Unqualified or disqualified, in a legal sense; as, a man under thirty-five years of age is incapable of holding the office of president of the United States; a person convicted on impeachment is thereby made incapable of holding an office of profit or honor under the government.

5. (Mil.) As a term of disgrace, sometimes annexed to a sentence when an officer has been cashiered and rendered incapable of serving his country.

&fist; Incapable is often used elliptically.

Is not your father grown incapable of reasonable affairs?
Shak.

Syn. -- Incompetent; unfit; unable; insufficient; inadequate; deficient; disqualified. See Incompetent.

In*ca"pa*ble, n. One who is morally or mentally weak or inefficient; an imbecile; a simpleton.

In*ca"pa*ble*ness, n. The quality or state of being incapable; incapability.

In*ca"pa*bly, adv. In an incapable manner.

In`ca*pa"cious (?), a. [Pref. in- not + capacious: cf. L. incapax incapable.] Not capacious; narrow; small; weak or foolish; as, an incapacious soul. Bp. Burnet. -- In`ca*pa"cious*ness, n.

In`ca*pac"i*tate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Incapacitated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Incapacitating (?).] [Pref. in- not + capacitate.]

1. To deprive of capacity or natural power; to disable; to render incapable or unfit; to disqualify; as, his age incapacitated him for war.

2. (Law) To deprive of legal or constitutional requisites, or of ability or competency for the performance of certain civil acts; to disqualify.

It absolutely incapacitated them from holding rank, office, function, or property.
Milman.

In`ca*pac`i*ta"tion (?), n. The act of incapacitating or state of being incapacitated; incapacity; disqualification. Burke.

In`ca*pac"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Incapacities (&?;). [Cf. F. incapacité.]

1. Want of capacity; lack of physical or intellectual power; inability.

2. (Law) Want of legal ability or competency to do, give, transmit, or receive something; inability; disqualification; as, the inacapacity of minors to make binding contracts, etc.

Syn. -- Inability; incapability; incompetency; unfitness; disqualification; disability.

In*cap"su*late (?), v. t. (Physiol.) To inclose completely, as in a membrane.

In*cap`su*la"tion (?), n. (Physiol.) The process of becoming, or the state or condition of being, incapsulated; as, incapsulation of the ovum in the uterus.

In*car"cer*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Incarcerated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Incarcerating (?).] [Pref. in- in + L. carceratus, p. p. of carcerare to imprison, fr. carcer prison.]

1. To imprison; to confine in a jail or prison.

2. To confine; to shut up or inclose; to hem in.

Incarcerated hernia (Med.), hernia in which the constriction can not be easily reduced.

In*car"cer*ate (?), a. Imprisoned. Dr. H. More.

In*car`cer*a"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. incarcération.]

1. The act of confining, or the state of being confined; imprisonment. Glanvill.

2. (Med.) (a) Formerly, strangulation, as in hernia. (b) A constriction of the hernial sac, rendering it irreducible, but not great enough to cause strangulation.

In*car"cer*a`tor (?), n. One who incarcerates.

In*carn" (?), v. t. [Cf. F. incarner. See Incarnate.] To cover or invest with flesh. [R.] Wiseman.

In*carn", v. i. To develop flesh. [R.] Wiseman.

In*car"na*dine (?), a. [F. incarnadin, It. incarnatino; L. pref. in- in + caro, carnis, flesh. Cf. Carnation, Incarnate.] Flesh-colored; of a carnation or pale red color. [Obs.] Lovelace.

In*car"na*dine, v. t. To dye red or crimson.

Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood
Clean from my hand? No; this my hand will rather
The multitudinous seas incarnadine,
Making the green one red.
Shak.

In*car"nate (?), a. [Pref. in- not + carnate.] Not in the flesh; spiritual. [Obs.]

I fear nothing . . . that devil carnate or incarnate can fairly do.
Richardson.

In*car"nate, a. [L. incarnatus, p. p. of incarnare to incarnate, pref. in- in + caro, carnis, flesh. See Carnal.]

1. Invested with flesh; embodied in a human nature and form; united with, or having, a human body.

Here shalt thou sit incarnate.
Milton.

He represents the emperor and his wife as two devils incarnate, sent into the world for the destruction of mankind.
Jortin.

2. Flesh-colored; rosy; red. [Obs.] Holland.

In*car"nate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Incarnated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Incarnating (?).] To clothe with flesh; to embody in flesh; to invest, as spirits, ideals, etc., with a human from or nature.

This essence to incarnate and imbrute,
That to the height of deity aspired.
Milton.

In*car"nate, v. i. To form flesh; to granulate, as a wound. [R.]

My uncle Toby's wound was nearly well -- 't was just beginning to incarnate.
Sterne.

In`car*na"tion (?), n. [F. incarnation, LL. incarnatio.]

1. The act of clothing with flesh, or the state of being so clothed; the act of taking, or being manifested in, a human body and nature.

2. (Theol.) The union of the second person of the Godhead with manhood in Christ.

3. An incarnate form; a personification; a manifestation; a reduction to apparent from; a striking exemplification in person or act.

She is a new incarnation of some of the illustrious dead.
Jeffrey.

The very incarnation of selfishness.
F. W. Robertson.

4. A rosy or red color; flesh color; carnation. [Obs.]

5. (Med.) The process of healing wounds and filling the part with new flesh; granulation.

In*car"na*tive (?), a. [Cf. F. incarnatif.] Causing new flesh to grow; healing; regenerative. -- n. An incarnative medicine.

In*car`ni*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [See Incarnation, and -fy.] The act of assuming, or state of being clothed with, flesh; incarnation.

In*case" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Incased (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Incasing.] [F. encaisser; pref. en- (L. in) + caisse case. See Case a box, and cf. Encase, Enchase.] To inclose in a case; to inclose; to cover or surround with something solid.

Rich plates of gold the folding doors incase.
Pope.

In*case"ment (?), n. [Cf. Casement.]

1. The act or process of inclosing with a case, or the state of being incased.

2. That which forms a case, covering, or inclosure.

In*cask" (?), v. t. To cover with a casque or as with a casque. Sherwood.

In*cas"tel*la`ted (?), a. Confined or inclosed in a castle.

In*cas"telled (?), a. (Far.) Hoofbound. Crabb.

In*cat`e*na"tion (?), n. [LL. incatenatio; L. pref. in- in + catena chain. See Enchain.] The act of linking together; enchaining. [R.] Goldsmith.

In*cau"tion (?), n. Want of caution. Pope.

In*cau"tious (?), a. [Pref. in- not + cautious: cf. L. incautus.] Not cautious; not circumspect; not attending to the circumstances on which safety and interest depend; heedless; careless; as, an incautious step; an incautious remark.

You . . . incautious tread
On fire with faithless embers overspread.
Francis.

His rhetorical expressions may easily captivate any incautious reader.
Keill.

Syn. -- Unwary; indiscreet; inconsiderate; imprudent; impolitic; careless; heedless; thoughtless.

-- In*cau"tious*ly, adv. -- In*cau"tious*ness, n.

In"ca*va`ted (&ibreve;n"k&adot;*vā`t&ebreve;d), a. [L. incavatus, p. p. of incavare to make hollow: pref in- in + cavare to hollow out, fr. cavus hollow.] Made hollow; bent round or in.

In`ca*va"tion (&ibreve;n`k&adot;*vā"shŭn), n. Act of making hollow; also, a hollow; an excavation; a depression.

In*caved" (&ibreve;n*kāvd), a. [Pref. in- in + cave. Cf. Encave, Incavated.] Inclosed in a cave.

In*cav"erned (&ibreve;n*kăv"&etilde;rnd), a. Inclosed or shut up as in a cavern. Drayton.

In*ced"ing*ly (&ibreve;n*sēd"&ibreve;ng*l&ybreve;), adv. [L. incedere to walk majestically.] Majestically. [R.] C. Bronté.

In`ce*leb"ri*ty (?), n. Want of celebrity or distinction; obscurity. [R.] Coleridge.

In*cend" (?), v. t. [L. incendere, incensum, to kindle, burn. See Incense to inflame.] To inflame; to excite. [Obs.] Marston.

In*cen"di*a*rism (?), n. [From Incendiary.] The act or practice of maliciously setting fires; arson.

In*cen"di*a*ry (?; 277), n.; pl. Incendiaries (#). [L. incendiarius: cf. F. incendiaire. See Incense to inflame.]

1. Any person who maliciously sets fire to a building or other valuable or other valuable property.

2. A person who excites or inflames factions, and promotes quarrels or sedition; an agitator; an exciter.

Several cities . . . drove them out as incendiaries.
Bentley.

In*cen"di*a*ry, a. [L. incendiarius, fr. incendium a fire, conflagration: cf. F. incendiaire. See Incense to inflame.]

1. Of or pertaining to incendiarism, or the malicious burning of valuable property; as, incendiary material; as incendiary crime.

2. Tending to excite or inflame factions, sedition, or quarrel; inflammatory; seditious. Paley.

Incendiary shell, a bombshell. See Carcass, 4.

In*cen"di*ous (?), a. [L. incendiosus burning, hot.] Promoting faction or contention; seditious; inflammatory. [Obs.] Bacon. -- In*cen"di*ous*ly, adv. [Obs.]

In*cen"sant (?), a. [See Incense to anger.] (Her.) A modern term applied to animals (as a boar) when borne as raging, or with furious aspect.

In`cen*sa"tion (?), n. (R. C. Ch.) The offering of incense. [R.] Encyc. Brit.

In*cense" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Incensed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Incensing.] [L. incensus, p. p. of incendere; pref. in- in + root of candere to glow. See Candle.]

1. To set on fire; to inflame; to kindle; to burn. [Obs.]

Twelve Trojan princes wait on thee, and labor to incense
Thy glorious heap of funeral.
Chapman.

2. To inflame with anger; to endkindle; to fire; to incite; to provoke; to heat; to madden.

The people are incensed him.
Shak.

Syn. -- To enrage; exasperate; provoke; anger; irritate; heat; fire; instigate.

In"cense (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Incensed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Incensing.] [LL. incensare: cf. F. encenser. See Incense, n.]

1. To offer incense to. See Incense. [Obs.] Chaucer.

2. To perfume with, or as with, incense. "Incensed with wanton sweets." Marston.

In"cense (?), n. [OE. encens, F. encens, L. incensum, fr. incensus, p. p. of incendere to burn. See Incense to inflame.]

1. The perfume or odors exhaled from spices and gums when burned in celebrating religious rites or as an offering to some deity.

A thick cloud of incense went up.
Ezek. viii. 11.

2. The materials used for the purpose of producing a perfume when burned, as fragrant gums, spices, frankincense, etc.

Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon.
Lev. x. 1.

3. Also used figuratively.

Or heap the shrine of luxury and pride,
With incense kindled at the Muse's flame.
Gray.

Incense tree, the name of several balsamic trees of the genus Bursera (or Icica) mostly tropical American. The gum resin is used for incense. In Jamaica the Chrysobalanus Icaco, a tree related to the plums, is called incense tree. -- Incense wood, the fragrant wood of the tropical American tree Bursera heptaphylla.

In"cense-breath`ing (?), a. Breathing or exhaling incense. "Incense-breathing morn." Gray.

In*censed" (?), a. 1. Angered; enraged.

2. (Her.) Represented as enraged, as any wild creature depicted with fire issuing from mouth and eyes.

In*cense"ment (?), n. Fury; rage; heat; exasperation; as, implacable incensement. Shak.

In*cen"ser (?), n. One who instigates or incites.

In*cen"sion (?), n. [L. incensio. See Incense to inflame.] The act of kindling, or the state of being kindled or on fire. Bacon.

In*cen"sive (?), a. Tending to excite or provoke; inflammatory. Barrow.

In*cen"sor (?), n. [L.] A kindler of anger or enmity; an inciter.

In*cen"so*ry (?; 277), n.; pl. Incensories (#). [LL. incensorium: cf. F. encensoir. See 2d Incense, and cf. Censer.] The vessel in which incense is burned and offered; a censer; a thurible. [R.] Evelyn.

In*cen"sur*a*ble (?; 135), a. [Pref. in- not + censurable: cf. F. incensurable.] Not censurable. Dr. T. Dwight. -- In*cen"sur*a*bly, adv.

In*cen"ter (?), n. (Geom.) The center of the circle inscribed in a triangle.

In*cen"tive (?), a. [L. incentivus, from incinere to strike up or set the tune; pref. in- + canere to sing. See Enchant, Chant.]

1. Inciting; encouraging or moving; rousing to action; stimulative.

Competency is the most incentive to industry.
Dr. H. More.

2. Serving to kindle or set on fire. [R.]

Part incentive reed
Provide, pernicious with one touch of fire.
Milton.

In*cen"tive, n. [L. incentivum.] That which moves or influences the mind, or operates on the passions; that which incites, or has a tendency to incite, to determination or action; that which prompts to good or ill; motive; spur; as, the love of money, and the desire of promotion, are two powerful incentives to action.

The greatest obstacles, the greatest terrors that come in their way, are so far from making them quit the work they had begun, that they rather prove incentives to them to go on in it.
South.

Syn. -- Motive; spur; stimulus; incitement; encouragement; inducement; influence.

In*cen"tive*ly, adv. Incitingly; encouragingly.

In*cep"tion (?), n. [L. inceptio, fr. incipere to begin; pref. in- in + capere to take. See Capable.]

1. Beginning; commencement; initiation. Bacon.

Marked with vivacity of inception, apathy of progress, and prematureness of decay.
Rawle.

2. Reception; a taking in. [R.] Poe.

In*cep"tive (?), a. Beginning; expressing or indicating beginning; as, an inceptive proposition; an inceptive verb, which expresses the beginning of action; -- called also inchoative. -- In*cep"tive*ly, adv.

In*cep"tive, n. An inceptive word, phrase, or clause.

In*cep"tor (?), n. [L.] 1. A beginner; one in the rudiments. Johnson.

2. One who is on the point of taking the degree of master of arts at an English university. Walton.

In`cer*a"tion (?), n. [L. incerare to smear with wax; pref. in- in + cerare to wax, fr. cera wax: cf. F. incération.] The act of smearing or covering with wax. B. Jonson.

In*cer"a*tive (?), a. Cleaving or sticking like wax. Cotgrave.

In*cer"tain (?), n. [Pref. in- not + certain: cf. F. incertain, L. incertus. See Certain.] Uncertain; doubtful; unsteady. -- In*cer"tain*ly, adv.

Very questionable and of uncertain truth.
Sir T. Browne.

In*cer"tain*ty (?), n. Uncertainty. [Obs.] Shak.

In*cer"ti*tude (?), n. [Cf. F. incertitude, LL. incertitudo, fr. L. incertus. See Incertain.] Uncertainty; doubtfulness; doubt.

The incertitude and instability of this life.
Holland.

He fails . . . from mere incertitude or irresolution.
I. Taylor.

||In*cer"tum (?), a. Doubtful; not of definite form.

Opus incertum (Anc. Arch.), a kind of masonry employed in building walls, in which the stones were not squared nor laid in courses; rubblework.

In*ces"sa*ble (?), a. [L. incessabilis; pref. in- not + cessare to cease.] Unceasing; continual. [Obs.] Shelton. -- In*ces"sa*bly, adv. [Obs.]

In*ces"san*cy (?), n. [From Incessant.] The quality of being incessant; unintermitted continuance; unceasingness. Dr. T. Dwight.

In*ces"sant (?), a. [L. incessans, -antis; pref. in- not + cessare to cease: cf. F. incessant. See Cease.] Continuing or following without interruption; unceasing; unitermitted; uninterrupted; continual; as, incessant clamors; incessant pain, etc.

Against the castle gate,
. . . Which with incessant force and endless hate,
They batter'd day and night and entrance did await.
Spenser.

Syn. -- Unceasing; uninterrupted; unintermitted; unremitting; ceaseless; continual; constant; perpetual.

In*ces"sant*ly, adv. Unceasingly; continually. Shak.

In*ces"sion (?), n. [L. incedere, incessum, to walk.] Motion on foot; progress in walking. [Obs.]

The incession or local motion of animals.
Sir T. Browne.

In"cest (?), n. [F. inceste, L. incestum unchastity, incest, fr. incestus unchaste; pref. in- not + castus chaste. See Chaste.] The crime of cohabitation or sexual commerce between persons related within the degrees wherein marriage is prohibited by law. Shak.

Spiritual incest. (Eccl. Law) (a) The crime of cohabitation committed between persons who have a spiritual alliance by means of baptism or confirmation. (b) The act of a vicar, or other beneficiary, who holds two benefices, the one depending on the collation of the other.

In*cest"tu*ous (?; 135), a. [L. incestuosus: cf. F. incestueux.] Guilty of incest; involving, or pertaining to, the crime of incest; as, an incestuous person or connection. Shak.

Ere you reach to this incestuous love,
You must divine and human rights remove.
Dryden.

-- In*cest"tu*ous*ly, adv. -- In*cest"tu*ous*ness, n.

Inch (?), n. [Gael. inis.] An island; -- often used in the names of small islands off the coast of Scotland, as in Inchcolm, Inchkeith, etc. [Scot.]

Inch, n. [OE. inche, unche, AS. ynce, L. uncia the twelfth part, inch, ounce. See Ounce a weight.]

1. A measure of length, the twelfth part of a foot, commonly subdivided into halves, quarters, eights, sixteenths, etc., as among mechanics. It was also formerly divided into twelve parts, called lines, and originally into three parts, called barleycorns, its length supposed to have been determined from three grains of barley placed end to end lengthwise. It is also sometimes called a prime (′), composed of twelve seconds (′′), as in the duodecimal system of arithmetic.

12 seconds (′′) make 1 inch or prime. 12 inches or primes (′) make 1 foot.
B. Greenleaf.

&fist; The meter, the accepted scientific standard of length, equals 39.37 inches; the inch is equal to 2.54 centimeters. See Metric system, and Meter.

2. A small distance or degree, whether of time or space; hence, a critical moment.

Beldame, I think we watched you at an inch.
Shak.

By inches, by slow degrees, gradually. -- Inch of candle. See under Candle. -- Inches of pressure, usually, the pressure indicated by so many inches of a mercury column, as on a steam gauge. -- Inch of water. See under Water. -- Miner's inch, (Hydraulic Mining), a unit for the measurement of water. See Inch of water, under Water.

Inch (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Inching.]

1. To drive by inches, or small degrees. [R.]

He gets too far into the soldier's grace
And inches out my master.
Dryden.

2. To deal out by inches; to give sparingly. [R.]

Inch, v. i. To advance or retire by inches or small degrees; to move slowly.

With slow paces measures back the field,
And inches to the walls.
Dryden.

Inch, a. Measuring an inch in any dimension, whether length, breadth, or thickness; -- used in composition; as, a two-inch cable; a four-inch plank.

Inch stuff, boards, etc., sawed one inch thick.

In*cham"ber (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inchambered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Inchambering.] [Pref. in- in + chamber: cf. OF. enchambrer.] To lodge in a chamber. [R.] Sherwood.

In*change`a*bil"i*ty (?), n. Unchangeableness. [Obs.] Kenrick.

In*chant" (?), v. t. See Enchant.

In*char"i*ta*ble (?), a. [Cf. F. incharitable.] Uncharitable; unfeeling. [Obs.] Shak.

In*char"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. incharité.] Want of charity. [Obs.] Evelyn.

In*chase" (?), v. t. See Enchase.

In*chas"ti*ty (?), n. [Pref. in- not + chastity: cf. F. inchasteté.] Unchastity. [Obs.] Milton.

Inched (?), a. Having or measuring (so many) inches; as, a four-inched bridge. Shak.

In*chest" (?), v. t. To put into a chest.

Inch"i*pin (?), n. See Inchpin.

Inch"meal` (?), n. [See Meal a part, and cf. Piecemeal.] A piece an inch long.

By inchmeal, by small degrees; by inches. Shak.

Inch"meal`, adv. Little by little; gradually.

In"cho*ate (?), a. [L. inchoatus, better incohatus, p. p. of incohare to begin.] Recently, or just, begun; beginning; partially but not fully in existence or operation; existing in its elements; incomplete. -- In"cho*ate*ly, adv.

Neither a substance perfect, nor a substance inchoate.
Raleigh.

In"cho*ate (?), v. t. To begin. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.

In`cho*a"tion (?), n. [L. inchoatio, incohatio.] Act of beginning; commencement; inception.

The setting on foot some of those arts, in those parts, would be looked on as the first inchoation of them.
Sir M. Hale.

It is now in actual progress, from the rudest inchoation to the most elaborate finishing.
I. Taylor.

In*cho"a*tive (?; 277), a. [L. inchoativus, incohativus: cf. F. inchoatif.] Expressing or pertaining to a beginning; inceptive; as, an inchoative verb. "Some inchoative or imperfect rays." W. Montagu. -- n. An inchoative verb. See Inceptive.

Inch"pin (?), n. [Written also inchipin, inche-pinne, inne-pinne.] [Cf. Gael. inne, innidh, bowel, entrail.] The sweetbread of a deer. Cotgrave.

Inch"worm` (?), n. (Zoöl.) The larva of any geometrid moth. See Geometrid.

In*cic"u*ra*ble (?), a. [L. incicur not tame; pref. in- not + cicur name.] Untamable. [R.]

In*cide" (?), v. t. [L. incidere; pref. in- in + caedere to cut. See Concise, and cf. Incise.] To cut; to separate and remove; to resolve or break up, as by medicines. [Obs.] Arbuthnot.

In"ci*dence (?), n. [Cf. F. incidence.]

1. A falling on or upon; an incident; an event. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

2. (Physics) The direction in which a body, or a ray of light or heat, falls on any surface.

In equal incidences there is a considerable inequality of refractions.
Sir I. Newton.

Angle of incidence, the angle which a ray of light, or the line of incidence of a body, falling on any surface, makes with a perpendicular to that surface; also formerly, the complement of this angle. -- Line of incidence, the line in the direction of which a surface is struck by a body, ray of light, and the like.

In"ci*den*cy (?), n. Incidence. [Obs.] Shak.

In"ci*dent (?), a. [L. incidens, -entis, p. pr. & of incidere to fall into or upon; pref. in- in, on + cadere to fall: cf. F. incident. See Cadence.]

1. Falling or striking upon, as a ray of light upon a reflecting surface.

2. Coming or happening accidentally; not in the usual course of things; not in connection with the main design; not according to expectation; casual; fortuitous.

As the ordinary course of common affairs is disposed of by general laws, so likewise men's rarer incident necessities and utilities should be with special equity considered.
Hooker.

3. Liable to happen; apt to occur; befalling; hence, naturally happening or appertaining.

All chances incident to man's frail life.
Milton.

The studies incident to his profession.
Milward.

4. (Law) Dependent upon, or appertaining to, another thing, called the principal.

Incident proposition (Logic), a proposition subordinate to another, and introduced by who, which, whose, whom, etc.; as, Julius, whose surname was Cæsar, overcame Pompey. I. Watts.

In"ci*dent, n. [Cf. F. incident.] 1. That which falls out or takes place; an event; casualty; occurrence.

2. That which happens aside from the main design; an accidental or subordinate action or event.

No person, no incident, in a play but must be of use to carry on the main design.
Dryden.

3. (Law) Something appertaining to, passing with, or depending on, another, called the principal. Tomlins.

Syn. -- Circumstance; event; fact; adventure; contingency; chance; accident; casualty. See Event.

In`ci*den"tal (?), a. Happening, as an occasional event, without regularity; coming without design; casual; accidental; hence, not of prime concern; subordinate; collateral; as, an incidental conversation; an incidental occurrence; incidental expenses.

By some, religious duties . . . appear to be regarded . . . as an incidental business.
Rogers.

Syn. -- Accidental; casual; fortuitous; contingent; chance; collateral. See Accidental.

-- In`ci*den"tal*ly, adv. -- In`ci*den"tal*ness, n.

I treat either or incidentally of colors.
Boyle.

In`ci*den"tal, n. An incident; that which is incidental; esp., in the plural, an aggregate of subordinate or incidental items not particularized; as, the expense of tuition and incidentals. Pope.

In"ci*dent*ly (?), adv. Incidentally. [Obs.]

In*cin"er*a*ble (?), a. Capable of being incinerated or reduced to ashes. Sir T. Browne.

In*cin"er*ate (?), [LL. incineratus, p. p. of incinerare to incinerate; L. pref. in- in + cinis, cineris, ashes.] Reduced to ashes by burning; thoroughly consumed. [Obs.] Bacon.

In*cin"er*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Incinerated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Incinerating (?).] To burn to ashes; to consume; to burn. Bacon.

It is the fire only that incinerates bodies.
Boyle.

In*cin`er*a"tion (?), n. [LL. incineratio: cf. F. incinération.] The act of incinerating, or the state of being incinerated; cremation.

The phenix kind,
Of whose incineration,
There riseth a new creation.
Skelton.

{ In*cip"i*ence (?), In*cip"i*en*cy (?), } n. [L. incipientia.] Beginning; commencement; incipient state.

In*cip"i*ent (?), a. [L. incipiens, p. pr. of incipere to begin. See Inception.] Beginning to be, or to show itself; commencing; initial; as, the incipient stage of a fever; incipient light of day. -- In*cip"i*ent*ly, adv.

In*cir"cle (?), v. t. See Encircle.

In*cir"clet (?), n. [Cf. Encirclet.] A small circle. [Obs.] Sir P. Sidney.

In*cir`cum*scrip"ti*ble (?), a. [Pref. in- not + circumscriptible: cf. LL. incircumscriptibilis.] Incapable of being circumscribed or limited. Cranmer.

In*cir`cum*scrip"tion (?), n. Condition or quality of being incircumscriptible or limitless. Jer. Taylor.

In*cir"cum*spect (?), a. [Pref. in- not + circumspect.] Not circumspect; heedless; careless; reckless; impolitic. Tyndale.

In*cir`cum*spec"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. incirconspection.] Want of circumspection. Sir T. Browne.

In*cise" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Incised (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Incising.] [L. incisus, p. p. of incidere to incise: cf. F. inciser. See Incide.]

1. To cut in or into with a sharp instrument; to carve; to engrave.

I on thy grave this epitaph incise.
T. Carew.

2. To cut, gash, or wound with a sharp instrument; to cut off.

In*cised" (?), a. 1. Cut in; carved; engraved.

2. (Bot.) Having deep and sharp notches, as a leaf or a petal.

In*cise"ly (?), adv. In an incised manner.

In*ci"sion (?), n. [L. incisio: cf. F. incision. See Incise.]

1. The act of incising, or cutting into a substance. Milton.

2. That which is produced by incising; the separation of the parts of any substance made by a cutting or pointed instrument; a cut; a gash.

3. Separation or solution of viscid matter by medicines. [Obs.]

In*ci"sive (?), a. [Cf. F. incisif.]

1. Having the quality of incising, cutting, or penetrating, as with a sharp instrument; cutting; hence, sharp; acute; sarcastic; biting. "An incisive, high voice." G. Eliot.

And her incisive smile accrediting
That treason of false witness in my blush.
Mrs. Browning.

2. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the incisors; incisor; as, the incisive bones, the premaxillaries.

In*ci"sor (?; 277), n. [NL.] (Anat.) One of the teeth in front of the canines in either jaw; an incisive tooth. See Tooth.

In*ci"sor, a. Adapted for cutting; of or pertaining to the incisors; incisive; as, the incisor nerve; an incisor foramen; an incisor tooth.

In*ci"so*ry (?), a. Having the quality of cutting; incisor; incisive.

In*cis"ure (?; 277), n. [L. incisura: cf. F. incisure.] A cut; an incision; a gash. Derham.

In*cit"ant (?), a. [L. incitans, -antis, p. pr. of incitare. See Incite.] Inciting; stimulating.

In*cit"an