incubator (in´kyu: beit'эr, iŋ´-; -kyэ-) •n. a person or thing that incubates; specif., a) an artificially heated container for hatching eggs b) a similar apparatus in which premature babies are kept for a period c) an apparatus for growing microbic or cell cultures in which the temperature, atmosphere, and humidity can be controlled

incubus (in´kyu: bэs, iŋ´-; -kyэ-) pl. -bus·es or -bi' (-bai') •n. 1 an evil spirit or demon thought in medieval times to descend upon and have sexual intercourse with women: cf. SUCCUBUS 2 a nightmare 3 anything oppressive; burden [ME < LL, nightmare (in ML, demon supposed to cause nightmares) < L incubare: see INCUBATE]

incudes (in kyu:´di:z') •n. pl. of INCUS

inculcate (in kûl´keit', in´kûl keit') -cat'ed, -cat'ing •vt. to impress upon the mind by frequent repetition or persistent urging in'cul·ca´tion •n. in·cul´ca'tor •n. [< L inculcatus, pp. of inculcare, to tread in, tread down < in-, in, on + calcare, to trample underfoot < calx, heel: see CALCAR]

inculpable (in kûl´pэ bэl) •adj. not culpable; free from blame or guilt [LL inculpabilis]

inculpate (in kûl´peit', in´kûl peit') -pat'ed, -pat'ing •vt. INCRIMINATE in'cul·pa´tion •n. in·cul´pa·to'ry (-pэ tör'i:) •adj. [< ML inculpatus, pp. of inculpare, to blame < L in, in, on + culpa, fault, blame]

incult (in kûlt´) •adj. [Rare] 1 uncultivated: said of land 2 lacking culture; unrefined [L incultus: see IN-² & CULT]

incumbency (in kûm´bэn si:) pl. -cies •n. 1 the quality or condition of being incumbent 2 something incumbent, as a duty or obligation 3 a) the holding and administering of a position; esp., the holding of a church benefice b) tenure of office

incumbent (in kûm´bэnt) •adj. 1 lying, resting, or pressing with its weight on something else 2 currently in office •n. the holder of an office or benefice incumbent on (or upon) resting upon as a duty or obligation [L incumbens, prp. of incumbere, to recline or rest on < in-, on + cubare, to lie down: see CUBE¹]

incumber (in kûm´bэr) •vt. ENCUMBER

incumbrance (in kûm´brэns) •n. ENCUMBRANCE

incunable (in kyu:´nэ bэl) •n. any of the incunabula

incunabula (in'kyu: næb´yu: lэ, -yэ lэ) sing. -u·lum (-lэm) •n.pl. 1 the very first stages of anything; infancy; beginnings 2 early printed books; esp., books printed before 1500 in'cu·nab´u·lar •adj. [L, neut. pl., swaddling clothes, cradle origin < in-, in + cunabula, neut. pl., a cradle, dim. of cunae, fem. pl., a cradle < IE *oinā, bed < base *kei-, to lie down > HOME]

incur (in kør´) -curred´, -cur´ring •vt. 1 to come into or acquire (something undesirable) {to incur a debt} 2 to become subject to through one's own action; bring upon oneself {to incur someone's wrath} [ME incurren < L incurrere, to run into or toward, attack < in-, in, toward + currere, to run: see CURRENT]

incurable (in kyur´э bэl) •adj. not curable; that cannot be remedied or corrected •n. a person having an incurable disease or disorder in·cur'a·bil´i·ty •n. in·cur´a·bly •adv. [OFr < LL incurabilis]

incurious (in kyur´i: эs) •adj. not curious; not eager to find out; uninterested; indifferent SYN. INDIFFERENT in·cu·ri·os·i·ty (in'kyur´i: äs´э ti:) or in·cu´ri·ous·ness •n. in·cu´ri·ous·ly •adv. [L incuriosus]

incurrence (in kør´эns) •n. the act of incurring

incurrent (in kør´эnt) •adj. flowing in; esp., characterized by the flowing in of water {incurrent canals of sponges} [L incurrens, prp. of incurrere: see INCUR]

incursion (in kør´zhэn; -shэn) •n. 1 a running in or coming in, esp. when undesired; inroad 2 a sudden, brief invasion or raid in·cur´sive (-siv) •adj. [ME < L incursio < incurrere: see INCUR]

incurvate (for adj. in kør´vit, -veit'; in´kэr-; for v. in kør´veit', in´kэr-) •adj. bent or curving inward •vt., vi. -vat'ed, -vat'ing to bend or curve inward in'cur·va´tion •n. in·cur´va·ture (-vэ chэr) •n. [L incurvatus, pp. of incurvare: see INCURVE]

incurve (for v. in kørv', in´kørv'; for n. in´kørv') -curved´, -curv´ing •vt., vi. to curve inward •n. 1 an act or instance of incurving Æ 2 Baseball SCREWBALL [IN-¹ + CURVE, n.] [L incurvare < in-, IN-¹ + curvare, to CURVE]

incus (iŋ´kэs) pl. in·cu·des (in kyu:´di:z') •n. the central one of the three small bones in the middle ear; it is shaped somewhat like an anvil: see EAR¹, illus. [ModL < L, anvil < incusus: see INCUSE]

incuse (in kyu:z´, -kyu:s´) •adj. hammered or stamped in: said of the design on a coin •n. such a design [L incusus, pp. of incudere, to forge with a hammer < in-, in, on + cudere, to strike, hit: see HEW]

Ind abbrev. 1 India 2 Indian 3 Indiana 4 Indies Ind (ind) 1 [Old Poet.] India 2 [Obs.] the Indies [ME & OFr Inde < L India] ind 1 independent 2 index 3 indicative 4 indigo 5 industrial

indaba (in dä´bä') •n. a council or conference, esp. between or with indigenous tribes of South Africa [Zulu in-daba, subject, matter]

indamine (in´dэ mi:n', -min) •n. any of a group of blue or blue-green organic dyes containing the NH group; esp., phenylene blue, NH:C6H4:N·C6H4·NH2 [IND(IGO) + AMINE]

indebted (in det´id) •adj. 1 in debt or under legal obligation to repay something received 2 owing gratitude, as for a favor received [ME endetted < OFr endeté, pp. of endetter < en- (L in-) + dette: see DEBT]

indebtedness (-nis) •n. 1 the state of being indebted 2 the amount owed; all one's debts

indecency (in di:´sэn si:) •n. 1 the state or quality of being indecent; lack of modesty, taste, or propriety 2 pl. -cies an indecent act, statement, etc. [L indecentia]

indecent (in di:´sэnt) •adj. not decent; specif., a) not proper and fitting; unseemly; improper b) morally offensive; obscene SYN. IMPROPER in·de´cent·ly •adv. [< Fr or L: Fr indécent < L indecens]

indeciduous (in'di: sij´u: эs) •adj. not deciduous

indecipherable (in'di: sai´fэr э bэl, -di-) •adj. that cannot be deciphered; illegible in'de·ci'pher·a·bil´i·ty •n.

indecision (in'di: sizh´эn, -di-) •n. lack of decision; inability to decide or tendency to change the mind frequently; hesitation or vacillation [Fr indécision < indécis, undecided < ML indecisus]

indecisive (in'di: sai´siv, -di-) •adj. 1 not decisive; not conclusive or final 2 characterized by indecision; hesitating or vacillating in'de·ci´sive·ly •adv. in'de·ci´sive·ness •n.

indeclinable (in'di: klain´э bэl, -di-) •adj. Gram. not declinable; having no case inflections

indecomposable (in'di:'kэm pou´zэ bэl) •adj. that cannot be decomposed

indecorous (in dek´э rэs) •adj. not decorous; lacking decorum, propriety, good taste, etc.; unseemly SYN. IMPROPER in·dec´o·rous·ly •adv. in·dec´o·rous·ness •n. [L indecorus]

indecorum (in'di kou´rэm, -kör´эm) •n. 1 lack of decorum; lack of propriety, good taste, etc. 2 indecorous conduct, speech, etc. [L, neut. of indecorus]

indeed (in di:d´) •adv. certainly; truly; admittedly: often used for emphasis or confirmation [it is indeed warm] or, in questions, to seek confirmation [did she indeed tell you that?] •interj. an exclamation of surprise, doubt, sarcasm, etc. [ME indede: see IN, prep. & DEED]

indef indefinite

indefatigable (in'di fæt´i gэ bэl) •adj. that cannot be tired out; not yielding to fatigue; untiring in'de·fat'i·ga·bil´i·ty •n. in'de·fat´i·ga·bly •adv. [MFr indéfatigable < L indefatigabilis < in-, not + defatigare, to tire out, weary: see DE- & FATIGUE]

indefeasible (in'di: fi:´zэ bэl, -di-) •adj. not defeasible; that cannot be undone or made void in'de·fea'si·bil´i·ty •n. in'de·fea´si·bly •adv.

indefectible (in'di: fek´tэ bэl, -di-) •adj. 1 not likely to fail, decay, become imperfect, etc. 2 without a fault or blemish; perfect in'de·fect'i·bil´i·ty •n. in'de·fect´i·bly •adv. [IN-² + DEFECT + -IBLE]

indefensible (in'di: fen´sэ bэl, -di-) •adj. 1 that cannot be defended or protected 2 that cannot be justified or excused; inexcusable in'de·fen'si·bil´i·ty •n. in'de·fen´si·bly •adv.

indefinable (in'di: fain´э bэl, -di-) •adj. that cannot be defined in'de·fin'a·bil´i·ty •n. in'de·fin´a·bly •adv. [ML indeffinabilis]

indefinite (in def´э nit) •adj. not definite; specif., a) having no exact limits or having no limits at all b) not precise or clear in meaning; vague c) not sharp or clear in outline; blurred; indistinct d) not sure or positive; uncertain e) Bot. of no fixed number, or too many to count (said of the stamens, etc. of certain flowers) f) Gram. not limiting or specifying; not referring to a specific or previously identified person, thing, etc. {a and an are indefinite articles, any is an indefinite pronoun} in·def´i·nite·ly •adv. in·def´i·nite·ness •n. [L indefinitus]

indefinite integral Math. any function which when differentiated yields a specified function

indehiscent (in'di: his´ªnt) •adj. not dehiscent; not opening at maturity to discharge its seeds {indehiscent fruits} in'de·his´cence •n.

indelible (in del´э bэl) •adj. 1 that cannot be erased, blotted out, eliminated, etc.; permanent; lasting 2 leaving an indelible mark {indelible ink} in·del'i·bil´i·ty •n. in·del´i·bly •adv. [L indelibilis < in-, not + delibilis, perishable < delere, to destroy: see DELETE]

indelicacy (in del´i kэ si:) •n. 1 the quality of being indelicate 2 pl. -cies something indelicate

indelicate (in del´i kit) •adj. not delicate; coarse; crude; rough; esp., lacking, or offensive to, propriety or modesty; gross SYN. COARSE, IMPROPER in·del´i·cate·ly •adv. in·del´i·cate·ness •n.

indemnification (in dem'ni fi kei´shэn) •n. 1 an indemnifying or being indemnified 2 something that indemnifies; recompense SYN. REPARATION

indemnify (in dem´ni fai') -fied', -fy'ing •vt. 1 to protect against or keep free from loss, damage, etc.; insure 2 a) to repay for what has been lost or damaged; compensate for a loss, etc.; reimburse b) to redeem or make good (a loss) SYN. PAY¹ in·dem´ni·fi'er •n. [< L indemnis, unhurt < in-, not + damnum, hurt, harm, damage (see DAMN) + -FY]

indemnity (in dem´ni ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 protection or insurance against loss, damage, etc. 2 legal exemption from penalties or liabilities incurred by one's actions 3 repayment or reimbursement for loss, damage, etc.; compensation [Fr indemnité < LL indemnitas < L indemnis: see INDEMNIFY]

indemonstrable (in'di män´strэ bэl; in dem´эn-) •adj. not demonstrable; that cannot be proved [LL indemonstrabilis]

indene (in´di:n') •n. a colorless, oily hydrocarbon, C9H8, obtained from coal tar and used in the manufacture of synthetic resins [IND(OLE) + -ENE]

indent¹ (for v. in dent´; for n. in´dent', in dent´) •vt. 1 a) to cut toothlike points into (an edge or border); notch; also, to join by mating notches b) to make jagged or zigzag in outline 2 to sever (a written contract, etc.) along an irregular line, so that the parts may be identified 3 to write out (a contract, etc.) in duplicate 4 to bind (a servant or apprentice) by indenture 5 to space (the first line of a paragraph, an entire paragraph, a column of figures, etc.) in from the regular margin 6 to order by an indent •vi. 1 to form or be marked by notches, points, or a jagged border 2 to space in from the margin; make an indention 3 to draw up an order or requisition in duplicate or triplicate •n. 1 a notch or cut in an edge 2 an indenture, or written contract 3 a) a space in from the margin; indention b) an indented line, paragraph, etc. 4 Business an order form used in foreign trade and usually drawn up in duplicate or triplicate; specif., a) any order for foreign merchandise b) an export order to buy certain goods at stated terms [ME endenten < OFr endenter or ML indentare, both < L in, in + dens, TOOTH]

indent² (for v. in dent´; for n. in´dent', in dent´) •vt. 1 to make a dent, or slight hollow, in 2 to apply (a mark, etc.) with pressure; impress; stamp in •n. a dent [IN-¹ + DENT¹]

indentation (in'den tei´shэn) •n. 1 an indenting or being indented 2 a result of indenting; specif., a) a notch, cut, or inlet on a coastline, etc. b) a dent, or slight hollow c) an indention; space in from a margin [INDENT¹ or prec. + -ATION]

indention (in den´shэn) •n. 1 a spacing in from the margin 2 an empty or blank space left by this 3 a) a dent, or slight hollow b) the making of a dent [INDENT¹ or INDENT² + -ION]

indenture (in den´chэr) •n. 1 [Now Rare] INDENTATION 2 a written contract or agreement: originally, it was in duplicate, the two copies having correspondingly notched edges for identification 3 [often pl.] a contract binding a person to work for another for a given length of time, as an apprentice to a master, or an immigrant to service in a colony 4 an official, authenticated list, inventory, etc. 5 Finance a document containing the terms under which bonds are issued •vt. -tured, -tur·ing 1 to bind by indenture 2 [Archaic] INDENT² [ME endenture < OFr & < ML indentura: see INDENT¹: now used also as if < INDENT²]

Independence (in'di: pen´dэns, -di-) city in W Mo.: suburb of Kansas City: pop. 112,000 [in honor of Andrew JACKSON in allusion to his independence of character] independence (in'di: pen´dэns, -di-) •n. 1 the state or quality of being independent; freedom from the influence, control, or determination of another or others 2 [Now Rare] an income sufficient for a livelihood [ML independentia]

Independence Day a legal holiday in the U.S., celebrated on July 4, the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776

independency (in'di: pen´dэn si:, -di-) pl. -cies •n. 1 INDEPENDENCE 2 [I-] the church polity of the Independents 3 an independent nation, province, etc.

independent (in'di: pen´dэnt, -di-) •adj. 1 free from the influence, control, or determination of another or others; specif., a) free from the rule of another; controlling or governing oneself; self-governing b) free from influence, persuasion, or bias; objective {an independent observer} c) relying only on oneself or one's own abilities, judgment, etc.; self-confident; self-reliant {independent in his thinking} d) not adhering to any political party or organization {an independent voter} e) not connected or related to another, to each other, or to a group; separate {an independent grocer} 2 a) not depending on another or others, esp. for financial support b) large enough to enable one to live without working (said of an income, a fortune, etc.) c) having an independent income; not needing to work for a living 3 [I-] of or having to do with Independents •n. 1 a person who is independent in thinking, action, etc. Æ 2 [often I-] a voter who is not an adherent of or committed to any political party 3 [I-] a member of a religious and political movement of the 17th cent. in England that advocated self-sufficiency of each local Christian church: the movement led to the organization of Congregationalists and Baptists independent of apart from; regardless of in'de·pend´ent·ly •adv. [ML independens: see IN-² & DEPENDENT]

independent clause Gram. a clause that can function syntactically as a complete sentence by itself and that conveys a complete meaning; main clause: distinguished from DEPENDENT CLAUSE (Ex.: she will visit us if she can fly)

independent school a private school, not open to or controlled by the public, esp., one that is nonreligious and supported mainly by tuition and private funds

independent variable Math. a variable whose value may be determined freely without reference to other variables

in-depth (in´depθ´) •adj. carefully worked out, detailed, profound, thorough, etc. {an in-depth study}

indescribable (in'di skraib´э bэl) •adj. that cannot be described; beyond the power of description in'de·scrib'a·bil´i·ty •n. in'de·scrib´a·bly •adv.

indestructible (in'di strûk´tэ bэl) •adj. not destructible; that cannot be destroyed in'de·struct'i·bil´i·ty •n. in'de·struct´i·bly •adv.

indeterminable (in'di: tør´mi nэ bэl, -di-) •adj. not determinable; specif., a) that cannot be decided or settled b) that cannot be definitely learned or ascertained in'de·ter´mi·na·ble·ness •n. in'de·ter´mi·na·bly •adv. [LL indeterminabilis]

indeterminacy (in'di: tør´mi nэ si:, -di-) •n. the state or quality of being indeterminate

indeterminacy principle UNCERTAINTY PRINCIPLE

indeterminate (in'di: tør´mi nit, -di-) •adj. 1 not determinate; specif., a) inexact in its limits, nature, etc.; indefinite; uncertain; vague {an indeterminate amount} b) not yet settled, concluded, or known; doubtful or inconclusive 2 Bot. RACEMOSE in'de·ter´mi·nate·ly •adv. in'de·ter´mi·nate·ness •n. [LL indeterminatus]

indeterminate cleavage Zool. the division of an egg into cells, each of which has the potential of developing into a complete organism: cf. TWINNING (sense 1)

indetermination (in'di: tør'mi nei´shэn, -di-) •n. 1 lack of determination 2 an indeterminate state or quality

indeterminism (in'di: tør´mi niz'эm, -di-) •n. 1 the doctrine that the will is free or to some degree free in that one's actions and choices are not altogether the necessary result of a sequence of causes 2 the quality or condition of being indeterminate in'de·ter´min·ist •n., adj. in'de·ter'min·is´tic •adj. [IN-² + DETERMINISM]

index (in´deks') pl. -dex'es or -di·ces' (-di si:z') •n. 1 short for INDEX FINGER 2 a pointer or indicator, as the needle on a dial 3 a thing that points out; indication; sign; representation {performance is an index of ability} 4 a) an alphabetical list of names, subjects, etc. together with the page numbers where they appear in the text, usually placed at the end of a book or other publication b) THUMB INDEX c) a list describing the items of a collection and where they may be found; catalog {a library index} d) a periodical that lists books according to subject, with publishing information and summary of contents 5 a) the relation or ratio of one amount or dimension to another, or the formula expressing this relation {cranial index} b) a number used to measure change in prices, wages, employment, production, etc.: it shows percentage variation from an arbitrary standard, usually 100, representing the status at some earlier time (in full index number) 6 Math. a) EXPONENT (sense 3) b) a subscript c) an integer or symbol placed above and to the left of a radical {³√8, n√x} 7 Printing a sign calling attention to something; fist •vt. 1 a) to make an index of or for b) to include in an index c) to supply with a thumb index 2 to be an index, or sign, of; indicate 3 to adjust (wages, interest rates, etc.) automatically to changes in the cost of living [I-] a) INDEX LIBRORUM PROHIBITORUM b) INDEX EXPURGATORIUS in´dex'er •n. in·dex´i·cal •adj. [L, informer, that which points out < indicare, INDICATE]

Index Expurgatorius (in´deks' eks pu:r'gä tou´ri: u:s') a former list of books that the Roman Catholic Church forbade its members to read unless certain passages condemned as dangerous to faith or morals were deleted or changed [ModL, expurgatory index]

index finger the finger next to the thumb; forefinger

index fossil any fossil of wide geographical distribution and a short range in time, used to correlate and date rock strata and their associated fossils

Index Librorum Prohibitorum (in´deks' li: brou´ru:m' prou hib'i: tou´ru:m') a former list of books that the Roman Catholic Church forbade its members to read (except by special permission) because judged dangerous to faith or morals [ModL, index of prohibited books]

index of refraction the ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence to the sine of the angle of refraction for a ray of light crossing from one medium into another

indexation (in'deks ei´shэn) •n. the practice of indexing wages, interest rates, etc.

India (in´di: э) 1 region in S Asia, south of the Himalayas, including a large peninsula between the Arabian Sea & the Bay of Bengal: it contains India (sense 2), Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, & Bhutan 2 republic in central & S India: established by Act of British Parliament (1947), became a republic (1950): member of the Commonwealth: 1,269,000 sq. mi. (3,287,590 sq. km); pop. 783,940,000; cap. New Delhi: see also JAMMU AND KASHMIR 3 INDIAN EMPIRE [L < Gr < Indos, the Indus < OPers Hindu, India: see HINDU]

India (or india) rubber crude, natural rubber obtained from latex; caoutchouc In´di·a-rub´ber •adj.

India ink 1 a black pigment, as of specially prepared lampblack, or carbon black, mixed with a gelatinous substance and dried into cakes or sticks 2 a liquid ink made from this, used in writing, drawing, etc.

India paper 1 a thin, absorbent paper made in China and Japan from vegetable fiber, used in taking proofs from engraved plates 2 a thin, strong, opaque paper used for printing Bibles, dictionaries, etc.: often called Bible paper [after INDIA in generalized sense Far East]

Indiaman (in´di: э mэn) pl. -men •n. a large merchant ship formerly sailing regularly between England and India [see MAN, n. 10]

Indian (in´di: эn, -dyэn) •adj. 1 designating or of India or the East Indies, their peoples, or culture 2 designating or of American Indians or their languages or cultures 3 of a type used or made by Indians Æ 4 made of maize, or Indian corn •n. 1 a native of India or the East Indies 2 AMERICAN INDIAN 3 [Now Rare] any of the languages spoken by American Indian peoples [LL Indianus < L India]

Indian agent [Historical] in the U.S. or Canada, an official representing the government in dealings with native peoples, as on reservations

Indian bread 1 bread made from cornmeal 2 TUCKAHOE

Indian club a bottle-shaped club of wood, metal, etc. swung in the hand for exercise

Indian corn CORN¹ (sense 3)

Indian Desert THAR DESERT

Indian Empire territories in & near India, under British control: dissolved in 1947

Indian file SINGLE FILE: from the notion of Amerindian people's way of walking along a trail

Indian giver a person who gives something and then asks for it back: from the belief that North American Indians expected an equivalent in return when giving something

Indian hemp 1 a perennial American plant (Apocynum cannabium) of the dogbane family, with a medicinal root and a tough bark formerly used in rope making by the Indians 2 HEMP (sense 1)

Indian licorice JEQUIRITY (sense 2)

Indian mallow a tall weed (Abutilon theophrasti) of the mallow family, with small, yellow flowers and large, heart-shaped, velvety leaves

Indian meal meal made from corn (maize); cornmeal

Indian Ocean ocean south of Asia, between Africa & Australia: 28,356,000 sq. mi. (73,441,000 sq. km)

Indian paintbrush any of a large genus (Castilleja) of plants of the figwort family, with brilliantly colored orange or red flowers and red or yellow upper leaves

Indian pipe a leafless, fleshy, white, saprophytic plant (Monotropa uniflora) of the heath family, native to the forests of the Northern Hemisphere: its unbranched, erect stalks each bear a single, nodding, white flower

Indian pudding a cornmeal pudding made with milk, molasses, etc.

Indian red 1 a yellowish-red ocher, orig. from an island in the Persian Gulf, used in early times as a pigment Æ 2 an impure native iron oxide used by North American Indians as a reddish war paint, and by early American painters

Indian sign a hex or jinx: chiefly in the phr. have (or put) the Indian sign on

Indian States and Agencies [Historical] the group of partly independent states and agencies of British India

Indian summer 1 a period of mild, warm, hazy weather following the first frosts of late autumn 2 the final period, as of a person's life, regarded as tranquil, serene, etc. [INDIAN, adj., 2 + SUMMER²; reason for name obscure]

Indian Territory [Historical] territory (1834-90) of the S U.S., reserved for Amerindian peoples: now a part of Oklahoma

Indian tobacco a poisonous annual plant (Lobelia inflata) of the bellflower family, common over the E U.S., with light-blue flowers in slender spikes, and inflated pods

Indian turnip the jack-in-the-pulpit or its root

Indian wrestling 1 a contest in which two persons grasp each other's hand, with their elbows resting on a flat surface: the one who forces the other's arm down to the surface wins 2 a contest in which two persons, each placing a foot alongside the other's corresponding foot and grasping a hand of the other, try to force each other off balance

Indiana (in'di: æn´э) Middle Western State of the U.S.: admitted, 1816; 36,291 sq. mi. (94,357 sq. km); pop. 5,544,000; cap. Indianapolis: abbrev. IN, In, or Ind In'di·an´i·an •adj., n. [ModL, land of the Indians]

Indianapolis (in'di: э næp´э lis) capital of Ind., in the central part of the State: pop. 742,000 (met. area 1,250,000; urban area with Anderson 1,380,000) [INDIANA + Gr polis, city: see POLIS]

indic 1 indicative 2 indicator Indic (in´dik) •adj. 1 of India; Indian 2 INDO-ARYAN •n. INDO-ARYAN (sense 1) [L Indicus < Gr Indikos]

indican (in´di kæn') •n. 1 a glucoside, C14H17NO6, found in a natural state in the indigo plant: it is converted by water and oxygen into indigo 2 an indigo-forming substance, C8H6NOSO2OH, the potassium salt of which is present in animal urine [< L indicum, INDIGO + -AN]

indicant (in´di kэnt) •adj. indicating; pointing out •n. something that indicates or points out [L indicans]

indicate (in´di keit') -cat'ed, -cat'ing •vt. 1 to direct attention to; point to or point out; show 2 to be or give a sign, token, or indication of; signify; betoken {fever indicates illness} 3 to show the need for; call for; make necessary {a fabric for which dry cleaning is indicated} 4 to point to as the required treatment {bed rest is indicated} 5 to express briefly or generally {to indicate guidelines for action} [< L indicatus, pp. of indicare, to indicate, show < in-, in, to + dicare, to point out, declare: see DICTION]

indication (in'di kei´shэn) •n. 1 the act of indicating 2 something that indicates, points out, or signifies; sign 3 something that is indicated as necessary 4 the amount or degree registered by an indicator [L indicatio]

indicative (in dik´э tiv) •adj. 1 giving an indication, suggestion, or intimation; showing; signifying {a look indicative of joy}: also in·dic·a·to·ry (in´di kэ tör'i:, in dik´э-) 2 designating or of the mood of a verb used to identify an act, state, or occurrence as actual, or to ask a question of fact: cf. SUBJUNCTIVE, IMPERATIVE •n. 1 the indicative mood 2 a verb in this mood in·dic´a·tive·ly •adv. [Fr indicatif < L indicativus]

indicator (in´di keit'эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that indicates; specif., a) any device, as a gauge, dial, register, or pointer, that measures or records and visibly indicates b) an apparatus that diagrams the varying fluid pressure of an engine in operation 2 any of various substances used to indicate the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, the beginning or end of a chemical reaction, the presence of certain substances, etc., by changes in color 3 Ecol. a species of plant or animal, or a community, whose occurrence serves as evidence that certain environmental conditions exist

indices (in´di si:z') •n. alt. pl. of INDEX

indicia (in dish´э, -i: э) sing. in·di´ci·um (-эm) •n.pl. 1 a characteristic mark or token Æ 2 a printed design or legend on mail or on a mailing label, as for bulk mail or business reply mail, to signify that postage has been paid [L, pl. of indicium, a notice, information < index (gen. indicis): see INDEX]

indict (in dait´) •vt. to charge with the commission of a crime; esp., to make a formal accusation against on the basis of positive legal evidence: usually said of the action of a grand jury SYN. ACCUSE in'dict·ee´ •n. in·dict´er or in·dict´or •n. [altered (infl. by L) < ME enditen, to write down, accuse < Anglo-L indictare < LL *indictare < L in, against + dictare: see DICTATE]

indictable (-э bэl) •adj. 1 that should be indicted 2 making indictment possible, as an offense [ME enditable]

indiction (in dik´shэn) •n. 1 the edict of a Roman emperor, fixing the tax valuation of property for each fifteen-year period 2 the tax levied or this valuation [ME indictioun < L indictio < pp. of indicere, to declare, announce < in-, in + dicere, to say, tell: see DICTION]

indictment (in dait´mэnt) •n. 1 an indicting or being indicted 2 a charge; accusation; specif. a formal written accusation charging one or more persons with the commission of a crime, presented by a grand jury to the court when the jury has found, after examining the evidence presented, that there is a valid case [ME & Anglo-Fr enditement]

indie (in´di:) pl. -dies •adj., n. [Slang] short for INDEPENDENT

Indies (in´di:z') 1 [Historical] EAST INDIES 2 WEST INDIES 3 Southeast Asia & the Malay Archipelago

indifference (in dif´эr эns, -dif´rэns; often, -dif эrns) •n. the quality, state, or fact of being indifferent; specif., a) lack of concern, interest, or feeling; apathy b) lack of importance, meaning, or worth Also [Archaic] in·dif´fer·en·cy [Fr < L indifferentia]

indifferent (in dif´эr эnt, -dif´rэnt; often, -dif´эrnt) •adj. 1 having or showing no partiality, bias, or preference; neutral 2 having or showing no interest, concern, or feeling; uninterested, apathetic, or unmoved 3 of no consequence or importance; immaterial 4 not particularly good or bad, large or small, right or wrong, etc.; fair, average, etc. 5 not really good; rather poor or bad 6 neutral in quality, as a chemical, magnet, etc.; inactive: chiefly in scientific use 7 capable of developing in various ways, as the cells of an embryo that are not yet specialized; undifferentiated in·dif´fer·ent·ly •adv. SYN.—indifferent implies either apathy or neutrality, esp. with reference to choice [to remain indifferent in a dispute]; unconcerned implies a lack of concern, solicitude, or anxiety, as because of callousness, ingenuousness, etc. [to remain unconcerned in a time of danger]; incurious suggests a lack of interest or curiosity [incurious about the details]; detached implies an impartiality or aloofness resulting from a lack of emotional involvement in a situation [he viewed the struggle with detached interest]; disinterested strictly implies a commendable impartiality resulting from a lack of selfish motive or desire for personal gain [a disinterested journalist], but it is now often used colloquially to mean not interested, or indifferent [OFr < L indifferens: see IN-² & DIFFERENT]

indifferentism (-iz'эm) •n. the state of being indifferent; esp., a) systematic indifference to religion b) the belief that all religions have equal validity in·dif´fer·ent·ist •n.

indigence (in´di jэns) •n. the condition of being indigent Also in´di·gen·cy SYN. POVERTY [OFr < L indigentia]

indigene (in´di ji:n') •n. a native or indigenous person, animal, or plant Also in´di·gen (-jэn) [Fr indigène < L indigena < OL indu (L in), in + gignere, to be born: see GENUS]

indigenous (in dij´э nэs) •adj. 1 existing, growing, or produced naturally in a region or country; belonging (to) as a native 2 innate; inherent; inborn SYN. NATIVE in·dig´e·nous·ly •adv. in·dig´e·nous·ness •n. [LL indigenus < L indegena: see INDIGENE]

indigent (in´di jэnt) •adj. 1 in poverty; poor; needy; destitute 2 [Archaic] lacking; destitute (of) •n. an indigent person SYN. POOR in´di·gent·ly •adv. [ME indygent < OFr < L indigens, prp. of indegere, to be in need < OL indu (L in), in + egere, to need < IE base *eg-, lack > ON ekla]

indigested (in'di jes´tid, -dai-) •adj. 1 not well considered or thought out 2 confused; chaotic 3 not digested; undigested [IN-² + DIGEST + -ED]

indigestible (in'di jes´tэ bэl, -dai-) •adj. that cannot be digested; not easily digested in'di·gest'i·bil´i·ty •n. [L indigestibilis]

indigestion (in di jes´chэn, -dai-) •n. 1 an abnormality in digesting food; dyspepsia 2 the discomfort caused by this [Fr < LL indigestio]

indigestive (-jes´tiv) •adj. having or characterized by indigestion

indign (in dain´) •adj. [Obs. or Old Poet.] 1 undeserving; unworthy 2 disgraceful [Fr indigne < L indignus < in-, not + dignus, worthy: see DIGNITY]

indignant (in dig´nэnt) •adj. feeling or expressing anger or scorn, esp. at unjust, mean, or ungrateful action or treatment in·dig´nant·ly •adv. [L indignans, prp. of indignari, to consider as unworthy or improper, be displeased at < in-, not + dignari, to deem worthy < dignus, worthy: see DIGNITY]

indignation (in'dig nei´shэn) •n. anger or scorn that is a reaction to injustice, ingratitude, or meanness; righteous anger SYN. ANGER [ME indignacion < OFr < L indignatio < pp. of indignari: see INDIGNANT]

indignity (in dig´nэ ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 something that humiliates, insults, or injures the dignity or self-respect; affront 2 [Obs.] a) unworthiness or disgrace b) indignation [L indignitas, unworthiness, vileness: see IN-² & DIGNITY]

indigo (in´di gou') pl. -gos' or -goes' •n. 1 a blue dye, C16H10N2O2, obtained from certain plants, esp. a plant (Indigofera tinctoria) native to India, or made synthetically, usually from aniline 2 any of a genus (Indigofera) of plants of the pea family that yield indigo 3 a deep violet blue, designated by Newton as one of the seven prismatic or primary colors •adj. of this color [Sp < L indicum < Gr indikon (pharmakon), lit., Indian (dye) < Indikos, Indian < India, INDIA]

indigo blue 1 INDIGOTIN 2 INDIGO (sense 3) in´di·go'-blue´ •adj.

indigo bunting a small bunting (Passerina cyanea) native to the E U.S.: the male appears to be indigo-blue, the female is brown Also indigo bird

indigo snake a large, harmless, smooth colubrine snake (Drymarchon corais) found in lowlands from S.C. to Tex.

indigoid (in´di goid') •adj. of a class of dyes that produce a color resembling indigo and contain the chromophoric group C:OC:CC:O •n. a dye of this class [INDIG(O) + -OID]

indigotin (in dig´э tin, in'di gou´tin) •n. a dark-blue powder, C16H10N2O2, with a coppery luster, the coloring matter and chief ingredient in indigo (the dye) [INDIGO + -t + -IN¹]

indirect (in'dэ rekt´; also, -dai-) •adj. not direct; specif., a) not straight; deviating; roundabout b) not straight to the point, or to the person or thing aimed at {an indirect reply} c) not straightforward; not fair and open; dishonest {indirect dealing} d) not immediate; secondary {an indirect result} in'di·rect´ly •adv. in'di·rect´ness •n. [ME < ML indirectus]

indirect discourse statement of what a person said, without quoting the exact words (Ex.: she said that she could not go)

indirect lighting lighting reflected, as from a ceiling, or diffused so as to provide an even illumination without glare or shadows

indirect object Gram. the word or words denoting the person or thing indirectly affected by the action of the verb: it generally names the person or thing to which something is given or for which something is done (Ex.: him in give him the ball, do him a favor)

indirect tax a tax on certain manufactured goods, imports, etc. that is paid indirectly by the consumer because it is included in the price

indirection (in'dэ rek´shэn; also, -dai-) •n. 1 roundabout act, procedure, or means 2 deceit; dishonesty 3 lack of direction or purpose [< INDIRECT, by analogy with DIRECTION]

indiscernible (in'di zørn´э bэl, -sørn´-) •adj. that cannot be discerned; imperceptible in'dis·cern´i·bly •adv. [LL indiscernibilis]

indiscipline (in dis´э plin') •n. lack of discipline

indiscreet (in'di skri:t´) •adj. not discreet; lacking prudence, as in speech or action; unwise in'dis·creet´ly •adv. in'dis·creet´ness •n. [ME indiscrete < L indiscretus, unseparated (in LL & ML, careless, indiscreet): see IN-² & DISCREET]

indiscrete (in'di skri:t´) •adj. not discrete; not separated in distinct parts in'dis·crete´ly •adv. in'dis·crete´ness •n. [L indiscretus: see INDISCREET]

indiscretion (in'di skresh´эn) •n. 1 lack of discretion, or good judgment; imprudence 2 an indiscreet act or remark [ME indiscrecyone < OFr indiscrétion < LL indiscretio]

indiscriminate (in'di skrim´i nit) •adj. 1 not based on careful selection or a discerning taste; confused, random, or promiscuous 2 not discriminating; not making careful choices or distinctions in'dis·crim´i·nate·ly •adv.

indiscrimination (in'di skrim'i nei´ shэn) •n. the condition of being indiscriminate; lack of discrimination in'dis·crim´i·na'tive •adj.

indispensable (in'di spen´sэ bэl) •adj. 1 that cannot be dispensed with or neglected 2 absolutely necessary or required •n. an indispensable person or thing SYN. ESSENTIAL in'dis·pen'sa·bil´i·ty •n. in'dis·pen´sa·bly •adv.

indispose (in'di spouz') -posed´, -pos´ing •vt. 1 to make unfit or unable; disqualify 2 to make unwilling or disinclined 3 to make slightly ill [prob. back-form. < INDISPOSED]

indisposed (in'di spouzd´) •adj. 1 slightly ill 2 unwilling; disinclined SYN. SICK¹ [ME indisposid < in-, IN-² + pp. of disposen, DISPOSE]

indisposition (in'dis pэ zish´эn) •n. 1 a slight illness 2 unwillingness; disinclination

indisputable (in dis´pyu:t'э bэl, -pyэ tэ-; -di spyu:t´э-) •adj. that cannot be disputed or doubted; unquestionable in·dis'pu'ta·bil´i·ty •n. in·dis´put´a·bly •adv. [LL indisputabilis]

indissoluble (in'di säl´yu: bэl, in dis´э lэ bэl) •adj. that cannot be dissolved, decomposed, broken, or destroyed; firm, stable, lasting, permanent, etc. in'dis·sol'u·bil´i·ty •n. in'dis·sol´u·bly •adv. [L indissolubilis]

indistinct (in'di stiŋkt´) •adj. not distinct; specif., a) not seen, heard, or perceived clearly; faint; dim; obscure b) not separate or separable; not clearly marked off; not plainly defined in'dis·tinct´ly •adv. in'dis·tinct´ness •n. [L indistinctus]

indistinctive (in'di stiŋk´tiv) •adj. 1 not distinctive; lacking distinction 2 making no distinction; incapable of distinguishing in'dis·tinc´tive·ly •adv.

indistinguishable (in'di stiŋ´gwish э bэl) •adj. 1 that cannot be distinguished as being different or separate 2 that cannot be discerned or recognized; imperceptible in'dis·tin´guish·a·bly •adv.

indite (in dait´) -dit´ed, -dit´ing •vt. 1 [Archaic] to express or describe in prose or verse 2 to put in writing; compose and write 3 [Obs.] to dictate in·dite´ment •n. in·dit´er •n. [ME enditen < OFr enditer < LL *indictare: see INDICT]

indium (in´di: эm) •n. a rare metallic chemical element, soft, ductile, and silver-white, occurring in some zinc ores and used in producing bearings and various alloys that melt at relatively low temperatures: symbol, In; at. wt., 114.82; at. no., 49; sp. gr., 7.31; melt. pt., 156.6°C; boil. pt., 2,080°C [ModL: so named (1863) by F. Reich (1799-1882) & H. T. Richter (1824-1898), Ger metallurgists < L indicum, INDIGO + -IUM, because of the two indigo lines in its spectrum]

indivertible (in'dэ vørt´э bэl) •adj. that cannot be diverted or turned aside in'di·vert´i·bly •adv.

individual (in'dэ vij´u: эl; -vij´эl) •adj. 1 orig., not divisible; not separable 2 existing as a single, separate thing or being; single; separate; particular 3 of, for, or by a single person or thing 4 relating to or characteristic of a single person or thing 5 distinguished from others by special characteristics; of a unique or striking character {an individual style} •n. 1 a single thing, being, or organism, esp., when regarded as a member of a class, species, group, etc. 2 a person SYN. CHARACTERISTIC [ML individualis < L individuus (< in-, IN-² + dividuus, divisible < dividere, to DIVIDE) + -AL]

individualism (in'dэ vij´u: эl iz'эm) •n. 1 individual character; individuality 2 an individual peculiarity 3 the doctrine that individual freedom in economic enterprise should not be restricted by governmental or social regulation; laissez faire 4 the doctrine that the state exists for the individual and not the individual for the state 5 the doctrine that self-interest is the proper goal of all human actions; egoism 6 a) action based on any of these doctrines b) the leading of one's life in one's own way without conforming to prevailing patterns in'di·vid´u·al·ist •n., adj. in'di·vid'u·al·is´tic •adj. [Fr individualisme]

individuality (in'dэ vij'u: æl´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 a) the sum of the characteristics or qualities that set one person or thing apart from others; individual character b) personal identity; personality 2 the condition of being individual, or different from others {houses in the suburbs often have no individuality} 3 a single person or thing; individual 4 [Obs.] indivisibility [ML individualitas]

individualize (in'dэ vij´u: эl aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to make individual; mark as different from other persons or things 2 to suit to the use, taste, requirements, etc. of a particular individual 3 to consider individually; particularize in'di·vid'u·al·i·za´tion •n.

individually (in'dэ vij´u: эl i:; often, -vij´эl i:) •adv. 1 as an individual or individuals rather than as a group; one at a time; separately; singly 2 as an individual with special characteristics; personally 3 in a way showing individual characteristics; distinctively

individuate (in'dэ vij´u: eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. 1 to make individual or distinct; specif., to differentiate from others of the same species or kind 2 to form into an individual; develop as a separate organic unit in'di·vid'u·a´tion •n. [< ML individuatus, pp. of individuare < L individuus: see INDIVIDUAL]

indivisible (in'dэ viz´э bэl) •adj. 1 that cannot be divided 2 Math. that cannot be divided by a specific number or quantity without leaving a remainder •n. anything indivisible in'di·vis'i·bil´i·ty •n. in'di·vis´i·bly •adv. [ME indyvysible < LL indivisibilis: see IN-² & DIVISIBLE]

Indo- (in´dou) combining form 1 India or the East Indies 2 India and 3 Indo-European {Indo-Hittite} [Gr < Indos: see INDIA]

Indo-Aryan (in'dou ær´i: эn, -er´-) •n. 1 a group of languages within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European language family, including Hindi, Bengali, Urdu, and most of the other languages of N India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh 2 [Rare] a person who speaks any of these languages •adj. designating or of Indo-Aryan [prec. + ARYAN]

Indochina (in´dou chai´nэ) 1 large peninsula south of China, including Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam & Malaya 2 E part of this peninsula, formerly under French control, consisting of Laos, Cambodia, & Vietnam Also sp. In´do-Chi´na or Indo China

Indochinese or Indo-Chinese (in'dou'chai ni:z´) •adj. 1 of Indochina, its Mongoloid people, their language, or their culture 2 SINO-TIBETAN: term now seldom used •n. pl. -nese´ a native or inhabitant of Indochina

indocile (in däs´эl) •adj. not docile; not easy to teach or discipline in·do·cil·i·ty (in'dou sil´э ti:) •n. [Fr < L indocilis]

indoctrinate (in däk´trэ neit') -nat'ed, -nat'ing •vt. 1 to instruct in, or imbue with, doctrines, theories, or beliefs, as of a sect 2 to instruct; teach in·doc'tri·na´tion •n. in·doc´tri·na'tor •n. [prob. (after ML doctrinatus, pp. of doctrinare, to instruct < L doctrina) < ME endoctrinen < OFr endoctriner: see IN-¹ & DOCTRINE]

Indo-European (in'dou yur´э pi:´эn) •adj. designating or of a family of languages that includes most of those spoken in Europe and many of those spoken in southwestern Asia and India •n. 1 the Indo-European family of languages: its principal branches are Indo-Iranian, Armenian, Tocharian, Greek, Albanian, Italic, Celtic, Germanic, and Balto-Slavic 2 the hypothetical language, reconstructed by modern linguists, from which these languages are thought to have descended Abbrev. IE

Indo-Germanic (-jэr mæn´ik) •adj., n. INDO-EUROPEAN: term now chiefly used by German-trained scholars [transl. of Ger Indogermanisch]

Indo-Hittite (in'dou hi´tait') •n. 1 according to a recent theory, the language family comprising the Indo-European and Anatolian languages 2 the hypothetical parent language from which the Indo-European and Hittite languages descended: most scholars now believe Hittite to be a branch of Indo-European

Indo-Iranian (-i rei´ni: эn) •adj. designating or of a subfamily of the Indo-European language family that includes the Indic and Iranian branches •n. the hypothetical parent language from which all Indic and Iranian languages have descended

indole (in´doul') •n. a white, crystalline compound, C8H7N, obtained from indigo and other sources and formed as a product of the intestinal putrefaction of proteins: it is used in perfumery, as a reagent, etc. [< INDIGO + PHENOL]

indoleacetic acid (in´doul'э si:t´ik) a plant hormone, C10H9NO2, that promotes the growth of plants and roots

indolebutyric acid (-byu: tir´ik) a plant hormone, C12H13NO2, that promotes the growth of roots

indolent (in´dэ lэnt) •adj. 1 disliking or avoiding work; idle; lazy 2 Med. a) causing little or no pain {an indolent cyst} b) slow to heal {an indolent ulcer} c) inactive or slowly developing {an indolent tumor} in´do·lence •n. in´do·lent·ly •adv. [< LL indolens < L in-, not + dolens, prp. of dolere, to feel pain: see DOLEFUL]

indomitable (in däm´i tэ bэl) •adj. not easily discouraged, defeated, or subdued; unyielding; unconquerable in·dom'i·ta·bil´i·ty or in·dom´i·ta·ble·ness •n. in·dom´i·ta·bly •adv. [LL indomitabilis < L indomitus, untamed < in-, not + domitus, pp. of domitare, to tame, intens. < domare, to TAME]

Indonesia (in'dэ ni:´zhэ, -shэ) republic in the Malay Archipelago, consisting of Java, Sumatra, most of Borneo, West Irian, Celebes, & many smaller nearby islands: formerly, until 1945, the Netherlands East Indies, an overseas territory of the Netherlands: 736,510 sq. mi. (1,907,500 sq. km); pop. 176,764,000; cap. Jakarta

Indonesian (-zhэn, -shэn) •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of Indonesia 2 a member of any of the indigenous peoples of Indonesia and the Philippines, esp. in contrast to Negritos or Papuans 3 a Western Austronesian language, the official language of Indonesia; Bahasa Indonesia 4 [Obs.] the western branch of the Austronesian language family, including Indonesian, Tagalog, Javanese, etc. •adj. designating or of Indonesia or its people, language, or culture

indoor (in´dör') •adj. 1 of the inside of a house or building 2 living, belonging, or carried on within a house or building [for earlier within-door]

indoor baseball the game of softball, adapted for playing indoors

indoors (in´dörz', in dörz´) •adv. in or into a house or other building [< within doors]

indophenol (in'dou fi:´nöl', -noul') •n. any of a series of synthetic blue dyes derived from the oxidation of mixtures of phenols and diamines, used for dyeing wool and cotton [IND(IG)O + PHENOL]

Indore (in dör´) 1 city in Madhya Pradesh, central India: pop. 827,000 2 former state of central India

indorse (in dörs´) -dorsed´, -dors´ing •vt. ENDORSE [var. of ENDORSE, after ML indorsare]

indoxyl (in däks´il) •n. a compound, C8H7NO, produced by the hydrolysis of indican and synthesized by several methods: it is important in the synthesis of indigo [IND(IGO) + (HYDR)OXYL]

Indra (in´drэ) the chief god of the early Hindu religion, associated with rain and thunderbolts [Sans]

indraft (in´dræft') •n. 1 a drawing in; inward pull or attraction 2 an inward flow, stream, or current, esp. of air or water Also Brit. sp. in´draught'

indrawn (in´drön') •adj. 1 drawn in 2 introspective

indri (in´dri:) •n. any of a family (Indriidae) of vegetarian prosimian primates of Madagascar with large eyes and slightly opposable thumbs Also in·drid lemur (in´drid) [Fr < Malagasy indry, behold!: erroneously taken for the name of the animal]

indubitable (in du:´bi tэ bэl, -dyu:´-) •adj. that cannot be doubted; unquestionable in·du´bi·ta·bly •adv. [L indubitabilis: see IN-² & DUBITABLE]

induce (in du:s´, -dyu:s´) -duced´, -duc´ing •vt. 1 to lead on to some action, condition, belief, etc.; prevail on; persuade 2 to bring on; bring about; cause; effect {to induce vomiting with an emetic} 3 to draw (a general rule or conclusion) from particular facts; infer by induction 4 Physics to bring about (an electric or magnetic effect) in a body by exposing it to the influence or variation of a field of force in·duc´er •n. in·duc´i·ble •adj. [ME enducen < L inducere < in-, in + ducere, to lead: see DUCT]

inducement (in du:s´mэnt, -dyu:s´-) •n. 1 an inducing or being induced 2 anything that induces; motive; incentive 3 Law a) an explanatory introduction in a pleading b) the benefit which a party is to receive for entering into a contract

induct (in dûkt´) •vt. 1 [Obs.] to bring or lead in 2 to place in a benefice or official position with formality or ceremony; install 3 a) to bring formally into a society or organization; initiate b) to provide with knowledge or experience of something, esp. something not open to all {inducting them into the secrets of the trade} Æ c) to enroll (esp. a draftee) in the armed forces [ME inducten < L inductus, pp. of inducere: see INDUCE]

inductance (in dûkt´эns) •n. 1 the property of an electric circuit by which a varying current in it produces a varying magnetic field that induces voltages in the same circuit or in a nearby circuit: it is measured in henrys 2 the capacity of an electric circuit for producing a counter electromotive force when the current changes [prec. + -ANCE]

inductee (in'dûk ti:´) •n. a person inducted or being inducted, esp. into the armed forces

inductile (in dûk´til) •adj. not ductile; not malleable, pliant, etc. in'duc·til´i·ty (-til´э ti:) •n.

induction (in dûk´shэn) •n. 1 an inducting or being inducted; installation, initiation, etc. 2 [Archaic] an introduction; preface or prelude 3 an inducing, or bringing about 4 a bringing forward of separate facts or instances, esp. so as to prove a general statement 5 Embryology the influence of one tissue upon the development of adjacent tissue, as by the diffusion of a chemical substance to nearby tissue 6 Logic reasoning from particular facts or individual cases to a general conclusion; also, a conclusion reached by such reasoning: distinguished from DEDUCTION 7 Math. a method of proving a theorem which holds true for all whole numbers greater than or equal to some first number, by demonstrating that it holds true for the first number and by showing that, if it holds true for all the subsequent numbers preceding a given number, then it must hold for the next following number: in full mathematical induction 8 Physics a) the act or process by which an electric or magnetic effect is produced in an electrical conductor or magnetizable body when it is exposed to the influence or variation of a field of force b) the transference of the explosive mixture of air and fuel from the carburetor to the cylinder of an internal-combustion engine [OFr < L inductio]

induction coil an apparatus made up of two magnetically coupled coils in a circuit in which interruptions of the direct-current supply to one coil produce an alternating current of high potential in the other

induction heating the heating of a conducting material by means of electric current induced by an externally applied alternating magnetic field

inductive (in dûk´tiv) •adj. 1 [Rare] inducing; leading on 2 of, or proceeding by methods of, logical induction {inductive reasoning} 3 produced by induction 4 of inductance or electrical or magnetic induction 5 [Rare] introductory 6 Physiol. producing a change or response in an organism in·duc´tive·ly •adv. [LL inductivus]

inductor (in dûk´tэr) •n. 1 a person who inducts 2 Chem. a substance that speeds up a slow chemical reaction 3 Elec. a device designed primarily to introduce inductance into an electric circuit [L, one who stirs up, lit., one who leads or brings in]

indue (in du:´, -dyu:´) -dued´, -du´ing •vt. ENDUE [L induere, to put on, dress oneself < OL indu (L in), in, on + base < IE *eu-, to put on > EXUVIAE]

indulge (in dûlj´) -dulged´, -dulg´ing •vt. 1 to yield to or satisfy (a desire); give oneself up to {to indulge a craving for sweets} 2 to gratify the wishes of; be very lenient with; humor 3 [Archaic] to grant as a kindness, favor, or privilege •vi. to give way to one's own desires; indulge oneself (in something) in·dulg´er •n. SYN.—indulge implies a yielding to the wishes or desires of oneself or another, as because of a weak will or an amiable nature; humor suggests compliance with the mood or whim of another [they humored the dying man]; pamper implies overindulgence or excessive gratification; spoil emphasizes the harm done to the personality or character by overindulgence or excessive attention [grandparents often spoil children]; baby suggests the sort of pampering and devoted care lavished on infants and connotes a potential loss of self-reliance [because he was sickly, his mother continued to baby him] —ANT. discipline, restrain [L indulgere, to be kind to, yield to < in- + base prob. akin to Gr dolichos, long & Goth tulgus, firm]

indulgence (in dûl´jэns) •n. 1 an indulging or being indulgent 2 a thing indulged in 3 the act of indulging oneself, or giving way to one's own desires 4 a favor or privilege 5 Business an extension of time to make payment on a bill or note, granted as a favor 6 [sometimes I-] Eng. History the grant of certain religious liberties to Dissenters and Roman Catholics by Charles II and James II 7 R.C.Ch. a partial or complete remission, under conditions specified by the Church, of divine temporal punishment that may otherwise still be due for sin committed but forgiven •vt. -genced, -genc·ing R.C.Ch. to attach an indulgence to [OFr < L indulgentia]

indulgent (in dûl´jэnt) •adj. indulging or inclined to indulge; kind or lenient, often to excess in·dul´gent·ly •adv. [L indulgens]

induline (in´du: li:n', -lin; -dyu:-) •n. any of a series of blue or black azine dyes [IND(IGO) + -UL(E) + -INE³]

indult (in´ dûlt') •n. R.C.Ch. a privilege or special permission granted by the pope to bishops and others to do something otherwise prohibited by the general law of the Church [< ML(Ec) indultum < LL, indulgence, favor < neut. of L indultus, pp. of indulgere, INDULGE]

induplicate (in du:´pli kit, -dyu:´-) •adj. having the edges folded or rolled in, but not overlapping: said of the arrangement of leaves in a leaf bud or of the calyx or corolla in a flower bud [IN-¹ + DUPLICATE]

indurate (in´du: reit', -dyu:-) -rat'ed, -rat'ing •vt. 1 to make hard; harden 2 to make callous, unfeeling, or stubborn 3 to cause to be firmly established •vi. to become indurated •adj. 1 [Now Rare] hardened 2 made callous, unfeeling, or stubborn in'du·ra´tion •n. in´du·ra'tive •adj. [< L induratus, pp. of indurare, to make hard < in-, in + durare, to harden < durus, hard: see DURABLE]

Indus¹ (in´dэs) a S constellation between Pavo and Grus [L, the Indian]

Indus² (in´dэs) river in S Asia, rising in SW Tibet and flowing west across Jammu and Kashmir, India, then southwest through Pakistan into the Arabian Sea: c. 1,900 mi. (3,060 km)

indusium (in du:´zi: эm, -dyu:´-; -zhi:-) pl. -si·a (-э) •n. 1 Anat., Zool. a) any covering membrane, as the amnion b) a case enclosing an insect larva or pupa 2 Bot. a) a membranous outgrowth of the leaf epidermis in certain ferns, covering the sporangia b) the annulus of certain fungi in·du´si·al (-эl) •adj. [ModL < L, undergarment, tunic; assoc. with induere, to put on (see INDUE), but prob. < Gr endysis, dress, clothing < endyein, to go into, put on]

industrial (in dûs´tri: эl) •adj. 1 having the nature of or characterized by industries 2 of, connected with, or resulting from industries 3 working in industries 4 of or concerned with people working in industries 5 for use by industries: said of products •n. 1 a stock, bond, etc. of an industrial corporation or enterprise: usually used in pl. 2 [Rare] a person working in industry in·dus´tri·al·ly •adv. [< Fr & ML: Fr industriel < ML industrialis]

industrial archaeology the study of the history of technology based on the discovery, examination, and sometimes preservation, of the buildings, machinery, etc. of earlier industrial activity industrial archaeologist

industrial arts the mechanical and technical skills used in industry, esp. as a subject for study in schools

industrial disease OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE

industrial park an area that is zoned for industrial and business use, usually located on the outskirts of a city and often characterized by coordinated plant design

industrial relations relations between industrial employers and their employees

Industrial Revolution [often i- r-] the change in social and economic organization resulting from the replacement of hand tools by machine and power tools and the development of large-scale industrial production: applied to this development in England from about 1760 and to later changes in other countries

industrial school 1 a school where industrial arts are taught 2 such a school to which neglected or delinquent youths are sent for habilitation

industrial union a labor union to which all workers in a given industry may belong, regardless of occupation or trade: distinguished from CRAFT UNION

industrialism (in dûs´tri: эl iz'эm) •n. social and economic organization characterized by large industries, machine production, concentration of workers in cities, etc.

industrialist (-ist) •n. a person who owns, controls, or has an important position in the management of an industrial enterprise

industrialize (in dûs´tri: эl aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to make industrial; establish or develop industrialism in 2 to organize as an industry •vi. to become industrial in·dus'tri·al·i·za´tion •n.

industrio- (in dûs´tri: ou') combining form industrial, industrial and {industrio-economic}

industrious (in dûs´tri: эs) •adj. 1 orig., skillful or clever 2 characterized by earnest, steady effort; hard-working; diligent SYN. BUSY in·dus´tri·ous·ly •adv. in·dus´tri·ous·ness •n. [< Fr or L: Fr industrieux < L industriosus < industria: see INDUSTRY]

industry (in´dэs tri:, -dûs-; -dûs'-) pl. -tries •n. 1 orig., a) skill or cleverness b) the application of this 2 earnest, steady effort; constant diligence in or application to work 3 systematic work; habitual employment 4 a) any particular branch of productive, esp. manufacturing, enterprise {the paper industry} b) any large-scale business activity {the tourist industry} 5 a) manufacturing productive enterprises collectively, esp. as distinguished from agriculture b) the owners and managers of industry SYN. BUSINESS [LME < MFr industrie < L industria < industrius, active, industrious < *indo-struus < OL endo (> L in) + struere, to pile up, arrange: see STREW]

indwell (in´dwel', in dwel´) -dwelt', -dwell'ing •vi., vt. to dwell (in); reside (within): said of an animating spirit or essential element in´dwell'er •n. [ME indwellen: used by John WYCLIFFE to transl. L inhabitare]

Indy , Vincent d' see D'INDY, (Paul Marie Théodore) Vincent

-ine¹ (variously ain, in, i:n, эn) suffix of, having the nature of, like {aquiline, crystalline} [Fr -in, -ine < L -inus, masc., -ina, fem., -inum, neut. < Gr -inos: also directly < L for modern scientific words]

-ine² (in, эn) suffix forming abstract nouns {discipline, doctrine} [Fr < L -ina, suffix of fem. abstract nouns]

-ine³ (variously i:n, in, ain, эn) suffix forming nouns 1 a chemical of any of certain groups, as a) a halogen {iodine} b) an alkaloid or a nitrogenous base {morphine} c) any of certain hydrides {stibine} d) an amino acid {alanine} 2 any of certain commercial products {Vaseline} Cf. -IN¹ [arbitrary use of L -inus, masc., -ina, fem., n. & adj. ending]

inearth (in ørθ´) •vt. [Archaic] to put into the earth; bury; inter

inebriant (in i:´bri: эnt) •adj., n. INTOXICANT [L inebrians, prp. of inebriare]

inebriate (for v. in i:´bri: eit'; for adj. & n., -it', -eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. 1 to make drunk; intoxicate 2 to excite; exhilarate •adj. drunk; intoxicated •n. a drunken person, esp. a drunkard in·e'bri·a´tion •n. [< L inebriatus, pp. of inebriare, to intoxicate < in-, intens. + ebriare, to make drunk < ebrius, drunk]

inebriated (-eit'id) •adj. drunk; intoxicated SYN. DRUNK

inebriety (in'i: brai´э ti:) •n. drunkenness; intoxication

inedible (in ed´э bэl) •adj. not edible; not fit to be eaten in'ed·i·bil´i·ty •n.

inedited (in ed´it id) •adj. 1 unpublished 2 not edited

ineducable (in ej´u: kэ bэl, -ej´э-) •adj. thought to be incapable of being educated

ineffable (in ef´э bэl) •adj. 1 too overwhelming to be expressed or described in words; inexpressible {ineffable beauty} 2 too awesome or sacred to be spoken {God's ineffable name} in'ef·fa·bil´i·ty or in·ef´fa·ble·ness •n. in·ef´fa·bly •adv. [ME < MFr < L ineffabilis < in-, not + effabilis, utterable < effari, to speak out < ex-, out + fari, to speak: see FAME]

ineffaceable (in'e feis´э bэl, -i feis´-) •adj. that cannot be effaced; impossible to wipe out or erase; indelible in'ef·face'a·bil´i·ty •n. in'ef·face´a·bly •adv.

ineffective (in'e fek´tiv, -i fek´-) •adj. 1 not effective; not producing the desired effect; ineffectual {an ineffective plan} 2 not capable of performing satisfactorily; incompetent; inefficient {an ineffective mayor} in'ef·fec´tive·ly •adv. in'ef·fec´tive·ness •n.

ineffectual (in'e fek´chu: эl, -i fek´-) •adj. not effectual; not producing or not able to produce the desired effect in'ef·fec'tu·al´i·ty (-æl´э ti:) or in'ef·fec´tu·al·ness •n. in'ef·fec´tu·al·ly •adv.

inefficacious (in'ef i kei´shэs) •adj. not efficacious; unable to produce the desired effect {an inefficacious medicine} in'ef·fi·ca´cious·ly •adv. in'ef·fi·ca´cious·ness •n.

inefficacy (in ef´i kэ si:) •n. lack of efficacy; inability to produce the desired effect [LL inefficacia]

inefficient (in'e fish´эnt, -i fish´-) •adj. not efficient; specif., a) not producing the desired effect with a minimum use of energy, time, etc.; ineffective b) lacking the necessary ability; unskilled; incapable in'ef·fi´cien·cy •n. in'ef·fi´cient·ly •adv.

inelastic (in'i: læs´tik, -i læs´-) •adj. 1 not elastic; inflexible, rigid, unyielding, unadaptable, etc. 2 Econ. not responding to changes in price: said of the demand for, or supply of, particular goods or services in·e·las·tic·i·ty (in'i:'læs tis´э ti:) •n.

inelastic collision Physics a collision process whereby part of the total kinetic energy of the system is converted into a different form of energy, such as radiant energy

inelegance (in el´э gэns) •n. 1 lack of elegance 2 something inelegant Also in·el´e·gan·cy, pl. -cies

inelegant (in el´э gэnt) •adj. not elegant; lacking refinement, good taste, grace, etc.; coarse; crude in·el´e·gant·ly •adv. [Fr inélégant < L inelegans]

ineligible (in el´i jэ bэl) •adj. not eligible; not legally or morally qualified; not fit to be chosen; not suitable •n. an ineligible person in·el'i·gi·bil´i·ty •n. in·el´i·gi·bly •adv. [ML ineligibilis]

ineloquent (in el´э kwэnt) •adj. not eloquent; not fluent, forceful, and persuasive in·el´o·quence •n. in·el´o·quent·ly •adv.

ineluctable (in'i:´lûk´tэ bэl, -i lûk´-) •adj. not to be avoided or escaped; certain; inevitable {ineluctable fate} in'e·luc'ta·bil´i·ty •n. in'e·luc´ta·bly •adv. [L ineluctabilis < in-, not + eluctabilis, that can be resisted by struggling < eluctari, to struggle < ex-, out + luctari, to struggle < IE base *leug-, to bend > LOCK¹, Gr lygos, supple twig]

ineludible (in'i: lu:d´э bэl) •adj. that cannot be eluded

inept (in ept´) •adj. 1 not suitable to the purpose; unfit 2 wrong in a foolish and awkward way {inept praise} 3 clumsy or bungling; inefficient SYN. AWKWARD in·ept´ly •adv. in·ept´ness •n. [Fr inepte < L ineptus < in-, not + aptus, suitable, APT]

ineptitude (in ep´tэ tu:d', -tyu:d') •n. 1 the quality or condition of being inept 2 an inept act, remark, etc. [L ineptitudo]

inequality (in'i: kwöl´э ti:, -kwäl´-; in'i-) pl. -ties •n. 1 the quality of being unequal; lack of equality 2 an instance of lack of equality; specif., a) a difference or variation in size, amount, rank, quality, social position, etc. b) an unevenness in surface; lack of levelness c) a lack of proper proportion; unequal distribution 3 Math. the relation between two unequal quantities, or an expression of this relationship: Ex.: a ≠ b (a is not equal to b), 3a > 2b (3a is greater than 2b) [ME inequalitie < MFr inequalité < L inaequalitas]

inequitable (in ek´wit э bэl) •adj. not equitable; unfair; unjust in·eq´ui·ta·bly •adv.

inequity (in ek´wit i:) •n. 1 lack of justice; unfairness 2 pl. -ties an instance of this [IN-² + EQUITY]

inequivalve (in i:´kwi vælv') •adj. having the two valves of the shell unequal, as an oyster

ineradicable (in'i: ræd´i kэ bэl, -i ræd´-) •adj. that cannot be eradicated in'e·rad´i·ca·bly •adv.

inerasable (in'i: reis´э bэl) •adj. that cannot be erased

inerrable (in er´э bэl, -ør´-) •adj. not erring; infallible in·er'ra·bil´i·ty •n. [L inerrabilis]

inerrant (in er´эnt, -ør´-) •adj. not erring; making no mistakes; infallible in·er´ran·cy •n. [L inerrans, not wandering, fixed: see IN-² & ERRANT]

inert (in ørt´) •adj. 1 having inertia; without power to move, act, or resist 2 tending to be physically or mentally inactive; dull; slow 3 having few or no active properties {inert matter in a fertilizer, an inert gas} in·ert´ly •adv. in·ert´ness •n. [L iners, without skill or art, idle < in-, not + ars (gen. artis), skill, ART)]

inertia (in ør´shэ, -shi: э) •n. 1 Physics the tendency of matter to remain at rest if at rest, or, if moving, to keep moving in the same direction, unless affected by some outside force 2 a tendency to remain in a fixed condition without change; disinclination to move or act in·er´tial •adj. [L, lack of art or skill, ignorance < iners: see INERT]

inertial guidance (or navigation) a self-contained, automatic guidance system composed of gyroscopes, accelerometers, and computers and used to control rockets, airplanes, submarines, etc.: it continuously measures acceleration, calculates the present speed and position, and compares this to an assigned course

inescapable (in'e skeip´э bэl, -i skeip´-) •adj. that cannot be escaped or avoided; inevitable in'es·cap´a·bly •adv.

inessential (in'e sen´shэl, -i sen´-) •adj. 1 [Rare] without essence or existence; immaterial 2 not essential; not really necessary or important; unessential •n. something inessential

inestimable (in es´tэ mэ bэl) •adj. that cannot be estimated or measured; esp., too great or valuable to be properly measured or appreciated; invaluable in·es´ti·ma·bly •adv. [OFr < L inaestimabilis]

inevitable (in ev´i tэ bэl) •adj. that cannot be avoided or evaded; certain to happen •n. that which is inevitable: often preceded by the in·ev'i·ta·bil´i·ty •n. in·ev´i·ta·bly •adv. [ME < L inevitabilis: see IN-² & EVITABLE]

inexact (in'eg zækt´, -ig-) •adj. not exact; not accurate or precise in·ex·ac´ti·tude (-zæk´tэ tu:d', -tyu:d') or in'ex·act´ness •n. in'ex·act´ly •adv.

inexcusable (in'ek skyu:´zэ bэl, -ik-) •adj. that cannot or should not be excused; unpardonable; unjustifiable in'ex·cus'a·bil´i·ty •n. in'ex·cus´a·bly •adv.

inexertion (in'eg zør´shэn, -ig-) •n. lack of exertion; failure to exert oneself

inexhaustible (in'eg zös´tэ bэl, -ig-) •adj. that cannot be exhausted; specif., a) that cannot be used up or emptied b) that cannot be tired out; tireless in'ex·haust'i·bil´i·ty •n. in'ex·haust´i·bly •adv.

inexistent (in'eg zis´tэnt, -ig-) •adj. not existent; not having being in'ex·ist´ence •n. [LL inexistens]

inexorable (in eks´э rэ bэl) •adj. 1 that cannot be moved or influenced by persuasion or entreaty; unrelenting 2 that cannot be altered, checked, etc. {their inexorable fate} in·ex'o·ra·bil´i·ty •n. in·ex´o·ra·bly •adv. [L inexorabilis: see IN-² & EXORABLE]

inexpedient (in'ek spi:´di: эnt, -ik-) •adj. not expedient; not suitable or practicable for given situation; inadvisable; unwise in'ex·pe´di·en·cy or in'ex·pe´di·ence •n. in'ex·pe´di·ent·ly •adv.

inexpensive (in'ek spen´siv, -ik-) •adj. not expensive; costing relatively little; low-priced; cheap SYN. CHEAP in'ex·pen´sive·ly •adv. in'ex·pen´sive·ness •n.

inexperience (in'ek spir´i: эns, -ik-) •n. lack of experience or of the knowledge or skill resulting from experience in'ex·pe´ri·enced •adj. [Fr inexpérience < LL inexperientia]

inexpert (in ek´spэrt; also in'ek spørt´, -ik-) •adj. not expert; unskillful; amateurish in·ex´pert·ly •adv. in·ex´pert·ness •n. [ME < MFr < L inexpertus]

inexpiable (in eks´pi: э bэl) •adj. 1 that cannot be expiated or atoned for {an inexpiable sin} 2 [Archaic] that cannot be appeased; implacable in·ex´pi·a·bly •adv. [L inexpiabilis]

inexplainable (in'ek splein´э bэl, -ik-) •adj. that cannot be explained; inexplicable

inexplicable (in eks´pli kэ bэl; often in'ek splik´э bэl, -ik-) •adj. not explicable; that cannot be explained, understood, or accounted for in·ex'pli·ca·bil´i·ty •n. in·ex´pli·ca·bly •adv. [Fr < L inexplicabilis]

inexplicit (in'eks plis´it, -ik splis´-) •adj. not explicit; vague; indefinite; general in'ex·plic´it·ly •adv. in'ex·plic´it·ness •n. [L inexplicitus]

inexpressible (in'eks pres´э bэl, -ik spres´-) •adj. that cannot be expressed; indescribable or unutterable in'ex·press'i·bil´i·ty or in'ex·press´i·ble·ness •n. in'ex·press´i·bly •adv.

inexpressive (in'eks pres´iv, -ik spres´-) •adj. 1 [Archaic] INEXPRESSIBLE 2 not expressive; lacking meaning or expression in'ex·pres´sive·ly •adv. in'ex·pres´sive·ness •n.

inexpugnable (in'eks pûg´nэ bэl, -ik spûg´-) •adj. that cannot be defeated by force; unconquerable; unyielding in'ex·pug´na·ble·ness •n. in'ex·pug´na·bly •adv. [LME < MFr < L inexpugnabilis < in-, not + expugnabilis, that can be taken by storm < expugnare, to take by storm < ex-, intens. + pugnare, to fight: see PUGNACIOUS]

inextensible (in'ek sten´sэ bэl, -ik-) •adj. not extensible

inextinguishable (in'ek stiŋ´gwish´э bэl, -ik-) •adj. not extinguishable; that cannot be quenched, put out, or stopped in'ex·tin´guish·a·bly •adv.

inextirpable (in eks´tэr pэ bэl; in'eks tør´-, -ik stør´-) •adj. that cannot be extirpated, or rooted out [L inextirpabilis]

inextricable (in eks´tri kэ bэl; often in'ek strik´э bэl, -ik-) •adj. 1 that one cannot extricate oneself from 2 that cannot be disentangled or untied 3 so complicated or involved as to be insolvable in·ex'tri·ca·bil´i·ty •n. in·ex´tri·ca·bly •adv. [L inextricabilis < in-, IN-² + extricabilis]

Inez (ai´niz; ai´nez', ai nez´) a feminine name: see AGNES [Sp Iñez]

inf 1 below [L infra] 2 infantry 3 infinitive 4 information

infallible (in fæl´э bэl) •adj. 1 incapable of error; never wrong 2 not liable to fail, go wrong, make a mistake, etc.; dependable; reliable; sure 3 R.C.Ch. incapable of error in setting forth doctrine on faith and morals: said esp. of the pope speaking ex cathedra (i.e., in his official capacity) •n. an infallible person or thing in·fal'li·bil´i·ty •n. in·fal´li·bly •adv. [ML infallibilis: see IN-² & FALLIBLE]

infamous (in´fэ mэs) •adj. 1 having a very bad reputation; notorious; in disgrace or dishonor 2 causing or deserving a bad reputation; scandalous; outrageous 3 Law a) punishable by imprisonment in a penitentiary (said of certain crimes, usually felonies) b) guilty of such a crime in´fa·mous·ly •adv. [ME < OFr infameux < ML infamosus < L infamis: see IN-² & FAMOUS]

infamy (in´fэ mi:) pl. -mies •n. 1 very bad reputation; notoriety; disgrace; dishonor 2 the quality of being infamous; great wickedness 3 an infamous act 4 Law loss of character and of certain civil rights sustained by a person convicted of an infamous crime [ME infamye < OFr infamie < L infamia < infamis: see INFAMOUS]

infancy (in´fэn si:) pl. -cies •n. 1 the state or period of being an infant; babyhood; very early childhood 2 the beginning or earliest stage of anything 3 Law the state or period of being a minor; period before the age of legal majority, usually eighteen; minority [LME < L infantia]

infant (in´fэnt) •n. 1 a very young child; baby 2 a person in the state of legal infancy; minor •adj. 1 of or for infants or infancy 2 in a very early stage [ME infaunt < OFr enfant < L infans (gen. infantis), child < adj., not yet speaking < in-, not + fans, prp. of fari, to speak: see FAME]

infant school [Brit.] a school for children aged five to seven

infanta (in fæn´tэ, -fän´-) •n. 1 any daughter of a king of Spain or Portugal 2 the wife of an infante [Sp & Port, fem. of infante: see INFANTE]

infante (in fæn´tei', -fän´-) •n. any son of a king of Spain or Portugal, except the heir to the throne [Sp & Port < L infans: see INFANT]

infanticide (in fæn´tэ said') •n. 1 the murder of a baby 2 a person guilty of this [Fr < LL infanticida] [Fr < LL infanticidium < infanticidia, one who kills an infant: see INFANT & -CIDE]

infantile (in´fэn tail'; also, -til, -ti:l') •adj. 1 of or having to do with infants or infancy 2 like, suitable for, or characteristic of an infant; babyish; childish or childlike; immature 3 in the earliest stage of development [L infantilis]

infantile paralysis POLIOMYELITIS

infantilism (in fæn´ti liz'эm; also in´fэn-) •n. 1 immature or childish behavior 2 Psychol. an abnormal state in which such behavior persists into adult life: it is marked by retarded mental and physical growth and by failure to mature sexually

infantilize (in fæn´tэl aiz') -lized', -liz'ing •vt. to treat like an infant or baby, or keep in a dependent, infantile stage of development: said of children or adults who remain immature in·fan'til·i·za´tion •n.

infantine (in´fэn tain'; also, -ti:n', -tin) •adj. var. of INFANTILE [Fr infantin, enfantin]

infantry (in´fэn tri:) pl. -tries •n. 1 foot soldiers collectively; esp., that branch of an army consisting of soldiers trained and equipped to fight chiefly on foot 2 [I-] a (designated) infantry regiment {the 274th Infantry} [Fr infanterie < It infanteria < infante, very young person, knight's page, foot soldier < L infans: see INFANT]

infantryman (-mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. a soldier in the infantry

infarct (in färkt´) •n. an area of dying or dead tissue resulting from inadequate blood flow through blood vessels normally supplying the part [ML infarctus, for L infartus, pp. of infarcire < in-, in + farcire, to stuff: see FARCE]

infarction (in färk´shэn) •n. 1 the development of an infarct 2 INFARCT

infare (in´fær') •n. [Dial.] a reception or dinner party after a wedding, usually on the day after [ME infer, entrance < OE infær < inn, IN-¹ + fær, a going < faran, a going < faran: see FARE]

infatuate (in fæch´u: eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. 1 to make foolish; cause to lose sound judgment 2 to inspire with foolish or shallow love or affection •adj. infatuated •n. a person who is infatuated [< L infatuatus, pp. of infatuare, to make a fool of < in-, intens. + fatuus, foolish: see FATUOUS]

infatuated (-id) •adj. 1 lacking sound judgment; foolish 2 completely carried away by foolish or shallow love or affection in·fat´u·at'ed·ly •adv.

infatuation (in fæch'u: ei´shэn) •n. an infatuating or being infatuated SYN. LOVE [LL infatuatio]

infauna (in´fö'nэ) •n. the animals burrowing into marine or freshwater sediment: cf. EPIFAUNA

infeasible (in fi:´zэ bэl) •adj. not feasible; not easily done; impracticable in·fea'si·bil´i·ty •n.

infect (in fekt´) •vt. 1 to contaminate with a disease-producing organism or matter 2 to cause to become diseased by bringing into contact with such an organism or matter 3 to invade (an individual, organ, tissue, etc.): said of a pathogenic organism 4 to affect or imbue with one's feelings, beliefs, etc. in·fec´tor •n. [ME infecten < MFr infecter < L infectus, pp. of inficere, to put or dip into, tinge, stain < in-, in + facere, to DO¹]

infection (in fek´shэn) •n. 1 an infecting; specif., a) the act of causing to become diseased b) the act of affecting with one's feelings or beliefs 2 the fact or state of being infected, esp. by the presence in the body of bacteria, protozoans, viruses, or other parasites 3 something that results from infecting or being infected; specif., a) a disease resulting from INFECTION (sense 2) b) a feeling, belief, influence, etc. transmitted from one person to another 4 anything that infects [ME infeccioun < OFr infection < LL infectio]

infectious (in fek´shэs) •adj. 1 likely to cause infection; containing disease-producing organisms or matter 2 designating a disease that can be communicated by INFECTION (sense 2) 3 tending to spread or to affect others; catching {an infectious laugh} 4 [Obs.] infected with disease in·fec´tious·ly •adv. in·fec´tious·ness •n.

infectious hepatitis a viral disease causing inflammation of the liver and characterized by jaundice, fever, etc.

infectious mononucleosis an acute disease, esp. of young people, characterized by fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, and abnormalities of the lymphocytes: it is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus

infective (in fek´tiv) •adj. likely to cause infection; infectious in'fec·tiv´i·ty •n. [ME infectif < OFr < L infectivus]

infecund (in fi:´kэnd, -fek´эnd) •adj. not fecund; not fertile; barren in·fe·cun·di·ty (in'fi: kûn´dэ ti:, -fi-) •n. [ME infecunde < L infecundus]

infelicitous (in'fэ lis´э tэs) •adj. not felicitous; unfortunate or unsuitable in'fe·lic´i·tous·ly •adv.

infelicity (in'fэ lis´э ti:) •n. 1 the quality or condition of being infelicitous 2 pl. -ties something infelicitous; unsuitable or inapt remark, action, etc. [L infelicitas < infelix, unfortunate: see IN-² & FELICITY]

infer (in før´) -ferred´, -fer´ring •vt. 1 orig., to bring on or about; cause; induce 2 to conclude or decide from something known or assumed; derive by reasoning; draw as a conclusion 3 a) to lead to as a conclusion; indicate b) to indicate indirectly; imply (in this sense, still sometimes regarded as a loose usage) •vi. to draw inferences in·fer·a·ble (in´fэr э bэl, in før´-) •adj. in´fer·a·bly •adv. in·fer´rer •n. SYN.—infer suggests the arriving at a decision or opinion by reasoning from known facts or evidence [from your smile, I infer that you're pleased]; deduce, in strict discrimination, implies inference from a general principle by logical reasoning [the method was deduced from earlier experiments]; conclude strictly implies an inference that is the final logical result in a process of reasoning [I must, therefore, conclude that you are wrong]; judge stresses the careful checking and weighing of premises, etc. in arriving at a conclusion; gather is an informal substitute for infer or conclude [I gather that you don't care] [L inferre, to bring or carry in, infer < in-, in + ferre, to carry, BEAR¹]

inference (in´fэr эns) •n. 1 an act or the process of inferring 2 a conclusion or opinion arrived at by inferring [ML inferentia]

inferential (in'fэr en´shэl) •adj. based on or having to do with inference in'fer·en´tial·ly •adv. [< ML inferentia + -AL]

inferior (in fir´i: эr) •adj. 1 lower in space; placed lower down 2 low or lower in order, status, rank, etc.; subordinate 3 lower in quality or value than: with to 4 poor in quality; below average 5 Anat. located below or directed downward 6 Astron. designating or of planets between the earth and the sun 7 Bot. having the sepals, petals, and stamens attached at the apex: said of the ovary of an epigynous flower 8 Printing placed below the type line, as 2 in NO2 •n. an inferior person or thing in·fe'ri·or´i·ty (-ör´э ti:, -är´-) •n. in·fe´ri·or·ly •adv. [ME < L, compar. of inferus, low, below < IE *ndheros < base *ndhos, UNDER]

inferiority complex 1 Psychol. a neurotic condition resulting from various feelings of inferiority, such as derive from real or imagined physical or social inadequacy and often manifested through overcompensation in excessive aggressiveness, a domineering attitude, etc. 2 popularly, any feeling of inferiority, inadequacy, etc.: cf. SUPERIORITY COMPLEX

infernal (in før´nэl) •adj. 1 a) of the ancient mythological world of the dead b) of hell 2 hellish; diabolic; fiendish; inhuman 3 [Colloq.] hateful; outrageous in·fer´nal·ly •adv. [OFr < LL infernalis < L infernus, underground, lower, infernal < inferus: see INFERIOR]

infernal machine old name for: 1 a booby trap 2 a time bomb

inferno (in før´nou') pl. -nos •n. hell or any place suggesting hell, usually characterized by great heat or flames [I-] that section of Dante's Divine Comedy which describes hell and the sufferings of the damned [It < L infernus: see INFERNAL]

infero- (in´fэ rou') combining form below and {inferoanterior} [< L inferus: see INFERIOR]

inferoanterior (in'fэ rou'æn tir´i: эr) •adj. lying below and in front [prec. + ANTERIOR]

infertile (in ført´ªl) •adj. 1 not fertile; not productive; barren 2 not fertilized, as an egg SYN. STERILE in·fer·til·i·ty (in'fэr til´э ti:) •n. [MFr < L infertilis]

infest (in fest´) •vt. 1 to overrun or inhabit in large numbers, usually so as to be harmful or bothersome; swarm in or over 2 to be parasitic in or on (a host) in'fes·ta´tion •n. in·fest´er •n. [Fr infester < L infestare, to attack, trouble < infestus, hostile < in-, in + IE base *dhers-, to be bold, attack > DARE]

infeudation (in'fyu: dei´shэn) •n. in feudal law, the granting of an estate in fee; enfeoffment [ML infeudatio < pp. of infeudare, to enfeoff < in-, in + feodum: see FEUD²]

infidel (in´fэ del', -dэl) •n. 1 a person who does not believe in a particular religion, esp. the prevailing religion; specif., a) among Christians, a non-Christian b) among Muslims, a non-Muslim 2 a person who holds no religious belief 3 a person who does not accept some particular theory, belief, etc. •adj. 1 that is an infidel; unbelieving 2 of infidels SYN. ATHEIST [ME < MFr infidèle < L infidelis, unfaithful (in LL(Ec), unbelieving) < in-, IN-² + fidelis: see FIDELITY]

infidelity (in'fэ del´э ti:) •n. 1 the fact or state of being an infidel 2 unfaithfulness or disloyalty to another; esp., sexual unfaithfulness of a husband or wife; adultery 3 pl. -ties an unfaithful or disloyal act [L infidelitas < infidelis: see INFIDEL]

infield (in´fi:ld') •n. 1 the land of a farm nearest the farmhouse Æ 2 a) the area enclosed by the four base lines on a baseball field b) the infielders collectively, or the area covered by them Æ 3 the area inside a racetrack or running track: field events of a track meet are often held on it Distinguished from OUTFIELD [IN, adv. + FIELD]

infielder (in´fi:l'dэr) •n. Baseball a player whose position is in the infield; shortstop, first baseman, second baseman, or third baseman: the pitcher and the catcher are considered infielders when fielding the ball

infighting (in´fait'iŋ) •n. 1 fighting, esp. boxing, at close range 2 intense competition or conflict, often bitterly personal, as between political opponents or within an organization or group in´fight'er •n.

infiltrate (in fil´treit, in´fil treit') -trat'ed, -trat'ing •vi., vt. 1 to pass, or cause (a fluid, cell, etc.) to pass, through small gaps or openings; filter 2 to pass through, as in filtering 3 to pass, or cause (individual troops) to pass, through weak places in the enemy's lines in order to attack the enemy's flanks or rear 4 to penetrate, or cause to penetrate (a region or group) gradually or stealthily, so as to attack or to seize control from within •n. something that infiltrates in'fil·tra´tion •n. in´fil·tra'tive •adj. in´fil´tra'tor •n. [IN-¹ + FILTRATE]

infin infinitive

infinite (in´fэ nit) •adj. 1 lacking limits or bounds; extending beyond measure or comprehension: without beginning or end; endless 2 very great; vast; immense 3 a) Math. indefinitely large; greater than any finite number however large b) capable of being put into one-to-one correspondence with a part of itself {infinite set} •n. something infinite, as space or time the Infinite (Being) God in´fi·nite·ly •adv. in´fi·nite·ness •n. [ME < L infinitus: see IN-² & FINITE]

infinitesimal (in'fin i tes´i mэl, -tez´-) •adj. 1 too small to be measured; infinitely small 2 Math. of or pertaining to an infinitesimal •n. 1 an infinitesimal quantity 2 Math. a variable that approaches zero as a limit in'fin·i·tes´i·mal·ly •adv. [ModL infinitesimus < L infinitus (see INFINITE), infl. by centesimus, hundredth < centum, HUNDRED]

infinitesimal calculus the combined methods of mathematical analysis of differential and integral calculus

infinitive (in fin´i tiv) •adj. Gram. of or connected with an infinitive {an infinitive phrase} •n. Gram. the form of the verb that expresses existence or action without reference to person, number, or tense and can also function as a noun: in English, it is usually the form of the the first person singular present preceded by the marker to (to go, to think) or by another verb form (can he speak, make him try) in·fin'i·ti´val (-tai´vэl) •adj. [LL infinitivus < L infinitivus (modus), lit., unlimited (mood) < infinitus (see INFINITE): so named because it is not limited to any person, number, or tense]

infinitude (in fin´i tu:d', -tyu:d') •n. 1 the quality of being infinite 2 an infinite quantity, number, or extent [< L infinitus, INFINITE, prob. infl. by MAGNITUDE]

infinity (in fin´i ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the quality of being infinite 2 anything infinite; endless or unlimited space, time, distance, quantity, etc. 3 an indefinitely large number or amount 4 Geom. an ideal point or location thought of as being infinitely distant from the origin or base point of the space being considered 5 Math. an ideal number thought of as the numerical value of an infinite quantity: symbol, ∞ 6 Photog. a) a distance so far from a camera that rays of light reflected from a subject there may be regarded as parallel b) a setting for such a distance on a camera's focusing scale to infinity without limit or end [ME infinite < OFr infinité < L infinitas]

infirm (in førm´) •adj. 1 not firm or strong physically; weak; feeble, as from old age 2 not firm in mind or purpose; not resolute; vacillating 3 not stable, firm, or sound; frail; shaky, as a structure 4 not secure or valid {an infirm title to property} SYN. WEAK in·firm´ly •adv. in·firm´ness •n. [ME < L infirmus]

infirmary (in før´mэ ri:) pl. -ries •n. a place for the care of the sick, injured, or infirm; esp., a building or room, as in a school, that serves as a hospital or dispensary [ML infirmaria, infirmarium < L infirmus]

infirmity (in før´ mэ ti:) •n. 1 the quality or state of being infirm; feebleness; weakness 2 pl. -ties an instance of this; specif., a) a physical weakness or defect; frailty or ailment, as from old age b) a moral weakness; defect [ME infirmite < L infirmitas]

infix (for v. in fiks´, in´fiks'; for n. in´fiks') •vt. 1 to fasten or set firmly in or on, esp. by inserting or piercing 2 to fix firmly in the mind; instill; implant 3 to place (an infix) within the base of a word •n. Linguis. a morpheme that is added within the base of a word (Ex.: -o- in gemology) [< L infixus, pp. of infigere, to fix or drive in: see IN-¹ & FIX]

inflame (in flæme´) -flamed´, -flam´ing •vt. 1 to set on fire 2 to arouse passion, desire, or violence in; excite intensely, as with anger 3 to increase the intensity of (passion, desire, violence, etc.) 4 to cause inflammation in (some organ or tissue) •vi. 1 to become roused, excited, stimulated, etc. 2 to catch fire 3 to become hot, feverish, swollen, red, sore, etc. in·flam´er •n. [ME enflamen < OFr enflammer < L inflammare: see IN-¹ & FLAME]

inflammable (in flæm´э bэl) •adj. 1 FLAMMABLE 2 easily roused, provoked, or excited •n. anything flammable in·flam'ma·bil´i·ty or in·flam´ma·ble·ness •n. in·flam´ma·bly •adv. [Fr < ML inflammabilis < L inflammare: see INFLAME]

inflammation (in'flэ mei´shэn) •n. 1 the act of inflaming 2 the state of being inflamed; specif., a condition of some part of the body that is a reaction to injury, infection, irritation, etc., and is characterized by varied combinations of redness, pain, heat, swelling, and loss of function [Fr < L inflammatio]

inflammatory (in flæm´э tör'i:) •adj. 1 rousing or likely to rouse excitement, anger, violence, rioting, etc. {an inflammatory speech} 2 Med. of, caused by, or characterized by inflammation [< L inflammatus, pp. of inflammare (see IN-¹ & FLAME) + -ORY]

inflatable (in fleit´э bэl) •adj. that can be inflated •n. something inflatable; specif., a boat made of rubber, plastic, etc. that is inflated before it is used

inflate (in fleit´) -flat´ed, -flat´ing •vt. 1 to blow full or swell out as with air or gas; distend; expand; dilate 2 to raise in spirits; make proud or elated 3 to increase or raise beyond what is normal or valid 4 to cause inflation of (money, credit, etc.) •vi. to become inflated; swell: opposed to DEFLATE SYN. EXPAND in·flat´er or in·fla´tor •n. [< L inflatus, pp. of inflare, to blow into, inflate < in-, in + flare, to BLOW¹]

inflated (-id) •adj. 1 puffed out; swollen 2 pompous; bombastic; high-flown 3 increased or raised beyond what is normal or valid 4 characterized or caused by inflation

inflation (in flei´shэn) •n. 1 an inflating or being inflated Æ 2 a) an increase in the amount of money and credit in relation to the supply of goods and services b) an increase in the general price level, resulting from this, specif., an excessive or persistent increase, causing a decline in purchasing power [ME inflacioun < L inflatio]

inflationary (in flei´shэ ner'i:) •adj. of, causing, or characterized by inflation

inflationary spiral a continuous and accelerating rise in the prices of goods and services, primarily due to the interaction of increases in wages and costs

inflationism (in flei´shэn iz'эm) •n. the advocacy or promotion of monetary inflation in·fla´tion·ist •adj., n.

inflect (in flekt´) •vt. 1 to turn, bend, or curve, usually inward 2 to vary or change the tone or pitch of (the voice); modulate 3 Gram. to change the form of (a word) by inflection, as in conjugating or declining •vi. to be changed by inflection in·flec´tive •adj. [ME inflecten < L inflectere < in-, in + flectere, to bend]

inflection (in flek´shэn) •n. 1 a turning, bending, or curving 2 a turn, bend, or curve 3 any change in tone or pitch of the voice; modulation {to signal a question by a rising inflection} 4 a change of a curve or arc from convex to concave or the reverse 5 Gram. a) the change of form by which some words indicate certain grammatical relationships, as number, case, gender, tense, etc. b) an inflected form c) an inflectional element, as those bound forms used in English to form the plural and possessive case of nouns (ships, ship's) and the past tense and third person singular, present indicative, of verbs (he shipped, he ships) [L inflexio < inflexus, pp. of inflectere: see INFLECT]

inflectional (in flek´shэ nэl) •adj. 1 of, having, or expressing grammatical inflection {an inflectional suffix} 2 characterized by the use of inflection to express grammatical relations {Greek and Latin are inflectional languages} in·flec´tion·al·ly •adv.

inflexed (in flekst´, in´flekst') •adj. Biol. bent sharply downward or inward; turned toward the axis [< L inflexus (see INFLECT) + -ED]

inflexible (in flek´sэ bэl) •adj. 1 that cannot be bent or curved; stiff; rigid 2 firm in mind or purpose; stubborn; unyielding; unshakable 3 that cannot be changed; fixed; unalterable {an inflexible rule} in·flex'i·bil´i·ty or in·flex´i·ble·ness •n. in·flex´i·bly •adv. SYN.—inflexible implies an unyielding or unshakable firmness in mind or purpose, sometimes connoting stubbornness [his inflexible attitude]; adamant implies a firm or unbreakable resolve that remains unaffected by temptation or pleading [adamant to her entreaties]; implacable suggests the impossibility of pacifying or appeasing [implacable in his hatred]; obdurate implies a hardheartedness that is not easily moved to pity, sympathy, or forgiveness [her obdurate refusal to help] —ANT. flexible, compliant [ME < L inflexibilis: see IN-² & FLEXIBLE]

inflexion (in flek´shэn) •n. Brit. sp. of INFLECTION

inflict (in flikt´) •vt. 1 to give or cause (pain, wounds, etc.) by or as by striking; cause to be borne 2 to impose (a punishment, disagreeable task, etc. on or upon) in·flict´er or in·flic´tor •n. in·flic´tive •adj. [< L inflictus, pp. of infligere, to strike or beat against < in-, on, against + fligere, to strike < IE base *bhlīg-, to strike > Welsh blif, catapult]

infliction (in flik´shэn) •n. 1 the act of inflicting 2 something inflicted, as punishment [LL inflictio]

in-flight (in´flait´) •adj. done, occurring, shown, etc. while an aircraft is in flight {in-flight movies}

inflorescence (in'flou res´эns, -flö-; -flэ-) •n. Bot. 1 the producing of blossoms; flowering 2 the arrangement of flowers on a stem or axis 3 a flower cluster on a common axis 4 flowers collectively 5 a solitary flower, regarded as a reduced cluster in'flo·res´cent •adj. [ModL inflorescentia < LL inflorescens, prp. of inflorescere, to begin to blossom: see IN-¹ & FLORESCENCE]

inflow (in´flou') •n. 1 a flowing in or into 2 anything that flows in

influence (in´flu: эns; often, -flu:'-) •n. 1 orig., the supposed flowing of an ethereal fluid or power from the stars, thought by astrologers to affect the characters and actions of people 2 a) the power of persons or things to affect others, seen only in its effects b) the action or effect of such power 3 the ability of a person or group to produce effects indirectly by means of power based on wealth, high position, etc. 4 a person or thing that has influence 5 Elec. the effect of an external field •vt. -enced, -enc·ing to exert or have influence on; have an effect on the nature, behavior, development, action, or thought of SYN.—influence implies the power of persons or things (whether or not exerted consciously or overtly) to affect others [he owed his position to influence]; authority implies the power to command acceptance, belief, obedience, etc., based on strength of character, expertness of knowledge, etc. [a statement made on good authority]; prestige implies the power to command esteem or admiration, based on brilliance of achievement or outstanding superiority; weight implies influence that is more or less preponderant in its effect [he threw his weight to the opposition] see also AFFECT¹ [OFr < ML influentia, a flowing in < L influens, prp. of influere, to flow in < -in, in + fluere, to flow: see FLUCTUATE]

influent (in´flu: эnt) •adj. flowing in •n. 1 anything flowing in, as a tributary 2 an organism that has important interactions within an ecological community, but is not a dominant [L influens: see INFLUENCE]

influential (in'flu: en´shэl) •adj. having or exerting influence, esp. great influence; powerful; effective in'flu·en´tial·ly •adv. [ML influentialis]

influenza (in'flu: en´zэ) •n. 1 an acute, contagious, infectious disease, caused by any of a specific group of viruses and characterized by inflammation of the respiratory tract, fever, and muscular pain 2 any of various virus diseases of domestic animals, characterized by inflammation of the respiratory tract in'flu·en´zal •adj. [It, lit., an influence (because attributed by astrologers to the influence of the stars) < ML influentia: see INFLUENCE]

influx (in´flûks') •n. 1 a) a flowing in; inflow, as of a liquid, gas, etc. b) a continual coming in of persons or things {an influx of customers} 2 the point where a body of water, as a river, joins another body of water [Fr < LL influxus < pp. of L influere: see INFLUENCE]

info (in´fou) •n. [Slang] short for INFORMATION (senses 1, 2, & 3)

infold (in fould´) •vt. var. of ENFOLD

infomercial (in'fou mør´shэl) •n. a long TV commercial, often made to resemble a talk-show, educational demonstration, interview, etc. [INFO(RMATION) + (COM)MERCIAL; or < earlier informercial, formed similarly]

inform¹ (in förm´) •vt. 1 a) [Obs.] to give form to b) to give character to; be the formative principle of c) to give or inspire with some specific quality or character 2 [Rare] to form or shape (the mind); teach; instruct 3 to give knowledge of something to; tell; acquaint with a fact, etc. •vi. 1 to give information 2 to give information laying blame or accusation upon another SYN. NOTIFY [ME informen < OFr enformer < L informare: see IN-¹ & FORM]

inform² (in'förm´) •adj. [Archaic] without form; formless [Fr informe < L informis]

informal (in för´mэl) •adj. not formal; specif., a) not according to prescribed or fixed customs, rules, ceremonies, etc. b) casual, easy, unceremonious, or relaxed c) designed for use or wear on everyday occasions d) not requiring formal dress e) COLLOQUIAL (sense 2) in·for´mal·ly •adv.

informality (in'för mæl´э ti:) •n. 1 the quality or state of being informal 2 pl. -ties an informal act

informant (in förm´эnt) •n. a person who gives, or serves as a source of, information; specif., a native speaker of a language whose pronunciations, usages, etc. are studied and recorded by linguistic investigators [< L informans, prp. of informare, to inform]

information (in'fэr mei´shэn) •n. 1 an informing or being informed; esp., a telling or being told of something 2 something told; news; intelligence; word 3 knowledge acquired in any manner; facts; data; learning; lore 4 a person or agency answering questions as a service to others 5 in information theory and computer science, a precise measure of the information content of a message, measured in bits and ranging from zero when the entire message is known in advance to some maximum when nothing is known of its content 6 any data that can be stored in and retrieved from a computer 7 Law an accusation, under oath, of a criminal offense, not by indictment of a grand jury, but by a public officer, such as a prosecutor in'for·ma´tion·al •adj. SYN.—information applies to data that are gathered in any way, as by reading, observation, hearsay, etc. and does not necessarily connote validity [inaccurate information]; knowledge applies to any body of facts gathered by study, observation, etc. and to the ideas inferred from these facts, and connotes an understanding of what is known [man's knowledge of the universe]; learning is knowledge acquired by study, especially in languages, literature, philosophy, etc.; erudition implies profound or abstruse learning beyond the comprehension of most people; wisdom implies superior judgment and understanding based on broad knowledge [ME informacioun < OFr information < L informatio, a representation, outline, sketch]

information science the science dealing with the efficient collection, storage, and retrieval of information

information theory the study of processes of communication and the transmission of messages; specif., the study of the information content of messages and of the probabilistic measurement of signal recognition in the presence of interference, noise, distortion, etc.

informative (in förm´э tiv) •adj. giving information; educational; instructive Also in·form´a·to'ry in·form´a·tive·ly •adv. [ML informativus < L informatus, pp. of informare: see INFORM¹]

informed (in förmd´) •adj. having or based on much information, knowledge, or education

informer (in förm´эr) •n. a person who secretly accuses, or gives evidence against, another, often for a reward

infra- (in´frэ) prefix below, beneath {infrared} [< L adv. & prep. infra, below: see UNDER]

infra dig (in'frэ dig´) [Colloq.] beneath one's dignity [< L infra dig(nitatem)]

infract (in frækt´) •vt. [Rare] to break or violate (a law, pledge, etc.) in·frac´tor •n. [< L infractus, pp. of infringere: see INFRINGE]

infraction (in fræk´shэn) •n. a breaking of a law, pact, etc.; violation; infringement [L infractio: see INFRACT]

infrahuman (in'frэ hyu:´mэn) •adj. below man on the evolutionary scale; esp., anthropoid

infralapsarian (in'frэ læp ser´i: эn) •n. any of a group of Calvinists who held that God's plan of salvation for some people followed and was a consequence of the fall of man from grace: opposed to SUPRALAPSARIAN •adj. of this doctrine in'fra·lap·sar´i·an·ism' •n. [< INFRA- + L lapsus, a fall (see LAPSE) + -ARIAN]

infrangible (in fræn´jэ bэl) •adj. 1 that cannot be broken or separated 2 that cannot be violated or infringed in·fran'gi·bil´i·ty or in·fran´gi·ble·ness •n. in·fran´gi·bly •adv. [MFr: see IN-² & FRANGIBLE]

infrared (in'frэ red´) •adj. designating or of those invisible rays just beyond the red end of the visible spectrum: their waves are longer than those of the spectrum colors but shorter than radio waves, and have a penetrating heating effect: used in cooking, photography, etc.

infrasonic (-sän´ik) •adj. designating or of a frequency of sound below the range audible to the human ear [INFRA- + SONIC]

infraspecific (-spэ sif´ik) •adj. of or pertaining to any taxon or category within a species, as a subspecies

infrastructure (in´frэ strûk'chэr) •n. a substructure or underlying foundation; esp., the basic installations and facilities on which the continuance and growth of a community, state, etc. depend, as roads, schools, power plants, transportation and communication systems, etc. in´fra·struc´tur·al •adj. [INFRA- + STRUCTURE]

infrequent (in fri:´kwэnt) •adj. not frequent; happening seldom or at long intervals; rare; uncommon in·fre´quen·cy or in·fre´quence •n. in·fre´quent·ly •adv. [L infrequens]

infringe (in frinj´) -fringed´, -fring´ing •vt. to break (a law or agreement); fail to observe the terms of; violate SYN. TRESPASS infringe on (or upon) to break in on; encroach or trespass on {to infringe upon their right to privacy} in·fringe´ment •n. [L infringere, to break off, break, impair, violate < in-, in + frangere, to BREAK]

infundibular (in'fûn dib´yu: lэr) •adj. 1 shaped like a funnel 2 of or having an infundibulum Also in·fun·dib·u·late (in'fûn dib´yu: lэt)

infundibuliform (-li förm') •adj. shaped like a funnel

infundibulum (-lэm) pl. -la (-lэ) •n. Anat. any of various funnel-shaped organs or passages, as a) the extension of the third ventricle of the brain to the pituitary gland b) the calyx of a kidney c) the ovarian end of a fallopian tube [ModL < L, a funnel < infundere: see INFUSE]

infuriate (for v. in fyur´i: eit'; for adj., -it, -eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. to cause to become very angry; enrage •adj. [Archaic] furious; very angry; enraged in·fu´ri·at'ing·ly •adv. in·fu'ri·a´tion •n. [< ML infuriatus, pp. of infuriare, to enrage < L in-, in + furiare, to enrage < furia, rage, FURY]

infuscate (in fûs´kit, -keit') •adj. darkened or tinged with brown, as the wings of an insect Also in·fus´cat'ed (-keit'id) [L infuscatus, pp. of infuscare, to make dark, obscure < in-, in + fuscare, to darken < fuscus, dark < IE base *dhus-: see FURY]

infuse (in fyu:z´) -fused´, -fus´ing •vt. 1 [Obs.] to pour (a liquid) in, into, or upon 2 to put (a quality, idea, etc.) into, as if by pouring; instill; impart 3 to fill (with a quality, feeling, etc.); imbue; inspire 4 to steep or soak (tea leaves, etc.) so as to extract flavor or other qualities in·fus´er •n. [ME infusen < L infusus, pp. of infundere, to pour in < in-, in + fundere, to pour: see FOUND²]

infusible (in fyu:´zэ bэl) •adj. that cannot be fused or melted in·fu'si·bil´i·ty •n. [IN-² + FUSIBLE]

infusion (in fyu:´zhэn) •n. 1 the act or process of infusing 2 something infused; tincture; admixture 3 the liquid extract that results from steeping a substance in water 4 Med. the introduction of a solution into the body, specif. into a vein [< Fr or L: Fr infusion < L infusio]

infusionism (-iz'эm) •n. Theol. the doctrine that the preexisting human soul enters the body by divine infusion at conception or birth in·fu´sion·ist •n.

infusive (in fyu:´siv) •adj. tending or able to infuse

infusorial (in'fyu: sör i: эl) •adj. of, consisting of, containing, or having the nature of, infusorians

infusorian (-эn) •n. 1 any of a former large group (Infusoria) of microscopic animals consisting of those found in infusions of decayed organic matter and in stagnant water 2 any of a former class (Infusoria) of protozoans found in most water, characterized by cilia which permit free movement, as paramecia or stentors •adj. of this group or class [< ModL (animalcula infusoria), neut. pl. of infusorius, pertaining to infusions (< L infusus: see INFUSE) + -AN]

-ing (iŋ; often in, эn, ªn) suffix 1 forming the present participle of verbs {hearing, noticing} 2 forming verbal nouns: [ME -ing, -yng < OE -ung] a) the act or an instance of (a specified verb) {talking, digging} b) something produced by the action of (a specified verb) {a painting} c) something that does the action of (a specified verb) {a covering for her head} d) material used for (a specified thing) {blanketing, carpeting} e) an act or process involving (a specified thing) (added to verbs or, sometimes, nouns)3 forming nouns a person or thing of a (specified) kind or origin: sometimes used with diminutive force {atheling, farthing} [ME < OE] [ME -ing, -yng, orig. -end, -and, -ind < OE -ende, suffix of prp. of verbs]

ingather (in'gæð´эr) •vt., vi. [Archaic] 1 to assemble or draw together 2 to harvest

Inge (iŋ) 1 William 1913-73; U.S. playwright 2 William Ralph 1860-1954; Eng. theologian

ingeminate (in jem´э neit') -nat'ed, -nat'ing •vt. [Now Rare] to stress or make more forceful by repeating in·gem'i·na´tion •n. [< L ingeminatus, pp. of ingeminare, to redouble, repeat: see IN-¹ & GEMINATE]

ingenerate¹ (for adj. in jen´эr it, -eit'; for v., -eit') •adj. [Archaic] innate; inborn •vt. -at'ed, -at'ing [Archaic] to produce or create within; engender [L ingeneratus, pp. of ingenerare: see ENGENDER]

ingenerate² (in jen´эr it, -eit') •adj. [Rare] not generated or produced, but originating and existing in itself [LL ingeneratus: see IN-² & GENERATE]

ingenious (in ji:n´yэs) •adj. 1 orig., having genius; having great mental ability 2 clever, resourceful, original, and inventive 3 made or done in a clever or original way SYN. CLEVER in·gen´ious·ly •adv. in·gen´ious·ness •n. [LME < MFr ingenieux < L ingeniosus, of good capacity, gifted with genius, ingenious < ingenium, innate quality, ability < in-, in + gignere: see GENUS]

ingénue (æn´zhэ nu:', än´-; -jэ-; -nyu:'; Fr æñ zhei nü´) pl. -nues' (-nu:z'; Fr, -nü´) •n. 1 an innocent, inexperienced, unworldly young woman 2 Theater a) the role of such a character b) an actress playing such a role or roles [Fr, fem. of ingénu < L ingenuus, INGENUOUS]

ingenuity (in'jэ nu:´э ti:, -nyu:´-) •n. 1 [Obs.] the quality of being ingenuous 2 the quality of being ingenious; cleverness, originality, skill, etc. 3 pl. -ties an ingenious device [L ingenuitas < ingenuus (see INGENUOUS): sense 1 infl. by assoc. with INGENIOUS]

ingenuous (in jen´yu: эs) •adj. 1 orig., of noble birth or nature 2 frank; open; candid 3 simple; artless; naive; without guile SYN. NAIVE in·gen´u·ous·ly •adv. in·gen´u·ous·ness •n. [L ingenuus, native, inborn, freeborn, noble, frank < ingignere, to engender < in-, in + gignere, to produce: see GENUS]

Ingersoll (iŋ´gэr söl', -sэl), Robert Green 1833-99; U.S. lawyer & lecturer: exponent of agnosticism

ingest (in jest´) •vt. to take (food, drugs, etc.) into the body, as by swallowing or absorbing in·ges´tion •n. in·ges´tive •adj. [< L ingestus, pp. of ingerere, to carry, put into < in-, into + gerere, to carry]

ingesta (in jes´tэ) •n.pl. things ingested: sometimes used figuratively [L, neut. pl. of ingestus: see INGEST]

ingle (iŋ´gэl) •n. [Brit. Dial.] 1 a fire or blaze, esp. on a hearth 2 a fireplace [Scot < Gael aingeal, fire]

inglenook (iŋ´gэl nuk') •n. [Chiefly Brit.] a corner by a fireplace; chimney corner Also ingle nook

Inglewood (iŋ´gªl wud') city in SW Calif.: suburb of Los Angeles: pop. 110,000 [after the home town in Canada of a relative of one of the promoters]

inglorious (in glör´i: эs) •adj. 1 not giving, receiving, or deserving glory; shameful; disgraceful; dishonorable 2 [Now Rare] without glory; not famous; little-known in·glo´ri·ous·ly •adv. in·glo´ri·ous·ness •n. [L ingloriosus: see IN-² & GLORIOUS]

ingoing (in´gou'iŋ) •adj. going in; entering

ingot (iŋ´gэt) •n. 1 orig., a mold for casting metal into a bar 2 a mass of metal cast into a bar or other convenient shape [ME < MFr lingot (with faulty separation of l-, as if l', for le, the) < OFr, prob. < lingo, var. of lengo, tongue (< L lingua: see LANGUAGE): from the elongated form]

ingot iron a ductile, rust resistant, highly purified steel with the impurity level below 0.15%

ingraft (in græft´) •vt. var. of ENGRAFT

ingrain (for v. in grein´, in´grein'; for adj. in´grein´; for n. in´grein') •vt. 1 to dye in the fiber before manufacture 2 to work into the fiber; infuse deeply: chiefly in a figurative sense, and in the past participle •adj. 1 dyed in the fiber, before manufacture; thoroughly dyed 2 made of fiber or yarn dyed before weaving: said of rugs, carpeting, etc. 3 deeply infused •n. yarn, fiber, carpeting, etc. dyed before manufacture [see ENGRAIN]

ingrained (in´greind´, -greind') •adj. 1 a) worked into the fiber b) firmly fixed or established {ingrained principles} 2 inveterate; thoroughgoing {an ingrained liar}

ingrate (in´greit') •adj. [Obs.] ungrateful •n. an ungrateful person [ME ingrat < OFr < L ingratus, unpleasant, ungrateful < in-, not + gratus, grateful: see GRACE]

ingratiate (in grei´shi: eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. to make acceptable; esp., to bring (oneself) into another's favor or good graces by conscious effort in·gra´ti·at'ing •adj. in·gra´ti·at'ing·ly •adv. in·gra'ti·a´tion •n. in·gra´ti·a·to'ry (-э tör'i:) •adj. [prob. via It ingratiare (now ingraziare) < L phr. in gratiam, for the favor of < in-, in + gratia, favor, GRACE]

ingratitude (in græt´i tu:d', -tyu:d') •n. lack of gratitude; ungratefulness [OFr < LL ingratitudo: see INGRATE]

ingravescent (in'grэ ves´эnt) •adj. [Now Rare] becoming more and more severe, as a disease [L ingravescens, prp. of ingravescere, to become heavier, grow worse < in-, IN-¹ + gravis, heavy, severe, GRAVE¹]

ingredient (in gri:´di: эnt) •n. 1 any of the things that a mixture is made of 2 a component part, or constituent, of anything SYN. ELEMENT [ME < L ingrediens, prp. of ingredi: see INGRESS]

Ingres (æñ´gřª), Jean Au·guste Do·mi·nique (zhäñ ô güst´ dô mi: ni:k´) 1780-1867; Fr. painter

ingress (in´gres') •n. 1 the act of entering: also in·gres·sion (in gresh´эn) 2 the right or permission to enter 3 a place or means of entering; entrance [ME < L ingressus, pp. of ingredi, to step into, enter < in-, into + gradi, to go: see GRADE]

ingressive (in gres´iv) •adj. 1 having to do with ingress 2 Gram. INCEPTIVE [ML ingressivus]

Ingrid (iŋ´grid) a feminine name [< Scand; ult < ON Ingvi, name of a Gmc god + rida, ride]

in-group (in´gru:p') •n. any group of people with common interests that give them a sense of solidarity and exclusivity as regards all nonmembers

ingrowing (in´grou'iŋ) •adj. growing within, inward, or into; esp., growing into the flesh {an ingrowing hair}

ingrown (in´groun') •adj. 1 grown within, inward, or into; esp., grown into the flesh, as a toenail that curves under at the sides 2 inborn; native; innate

ingrowth (in´grouθ') •n. 1 a growing inward 2 something ingrowing or ingrown

inguinal (iŋ´gwi nэl) •adj. of or near the groin [L inguinalis < inguen (gen. inguinis), the groin < IE base *ngwēn- > OIce økkr, tumor, Gr adēn, gland]

inguino- (iŋ´gwi nou', -nэ) combining form inguinal and Also, before a vowel, inguin-

ingulf (in gûlf´) •vt. var. of ENGULF

ingurgitate (in gør´jэ teit') -tat'ed, -tat'ing •vt., vi. to swallow up greedily or in large amounts; gulp; gorge; guzzle in·gur'gi·ta´tion •n. [< L ingurgitatus, pp. of ingurgitare, to pour in like a flood, guzzle: see IN-¹ & GURGITATION]

inhabit (in hæb´it) •vt. to dwell or live in (a region, house, etc.); occupy •vi. [Archaic] to dwell; live in·hab´it·er •n. [ME enhabiten < OFr enhabiter < L inhabitare < in-, in + habitare, to dwell < habitus: see HABIT]

inhabitable¹ (in hæb´it э bэl) •adj. that can be inhabited; fit to live in; habitable in·hab'it·a·bil´i·ty •n.

inhabitable² (in hæb´it э bэl) •adj. [Obs.] not habitable in·hab'it·a·bil´i·ty •n.

inhabitancy (in hæb´i tэn si:) pl. -cies •n. 1 an inhabiting or being inhabited 2 place of residence; home; dwelling Also [Obs.] in·hab´it·ance

inhabitant (in hæb´i tэnt) •n. a person or animal that inhabits some specified region, dwelling, etc.; permanent resident [ME inhabitaunt < OFr inhabitant < L inhabitans, prp. of inhabitare]

inhabitation (in hæb'i tei´shэn) •n. an inhabiting or being inhabited [ME inhabitacioun < LL inhabitatio]

inhabited (in hæb´it id) •adj. having inhabitants; lived in; occupied

inhalant (in heil´эnt) •adj. used in inhalation; inhaling •n. a medicine or other substance to be inhaled as a vapor [< L inhalans, prp. of inhalare]

inhalation (in'hэ lei´shэn) •n. 1 the act of inhaling 2 INHALANT [< pp. of L inhalare]

inhalator (in´hэ leit'эr) •n. 1 an apparatus for administering medicinal vapors in inhalation 2 RESPIRATOR (sense 2)

inhale (in heil´, in´heil') -haled´, -hal´ing •vt. to draw (air, vapor, etc.) into the lungs; breathe in •vi. 1 to draw air, vapor, etc. into the lungs 2 to draw tobacco smoke into the lungs when smoking [L inhalare < in-, in + halare, to breathe: see EXHALE]

inhaler (in heil´эr) •n. 1 a person who inhales 2 RESPIRATOR (sense 1) 3 INHALATOR (sense 1)