immensity (im men´si ti:, i men´-) pl. -ties •n. the state or quality of being immense; specif., a) great size or limitless extent b) infinite space or being [Fr immensité < L immensitas]

immensurable (im men´shur э bэl) •adj. IMMEASURABLE [< Fr or LL: Fr immensurable < LL immensurabilis: see IN-² & MENSURABLE]

immerge (im mørj´) -merged´, -merg´ing •vt. archaic var. of IMMERSE •vi. to plunge or disappear, as in a liquid im·mer´gence •n. [L immergere: see IMMERSE]

immerse (im mørs´, i mørs´) -mersed´, -mers´ing •vt. 1 to plunge, drop, or dip into or as if into a liquid, esp. so as to cover completely 2 to baptize by submerging in water 3 to absorb deeply; engross {immersed in study} [< L immersus, pp. of immergere, to dip, plunge into: see IN-¹ & MERGE]

immersed (im mørst´, i mørst´) •adj. 1 plunged into or as if into a liquid 2 baptized by immersion 3 Biol. embedded in another organ 4 Bot. growing completely under water

immersible (im mørs´э bэl, i mørs´-) •adj. Æ that can be immersed in water without harm, as some electric appliances

immersion (im mør´shэn, i mør´-; -zhэn) •n. 1 an immersing or being immersed 2 baptism by immersing 3 Astron. [Now Rare] occultation or eclipse [LL(Ec) immersio]

immersion heater an electric coil or rod that heats water while directly immersed in it

immesh (im mesh´) •vt. archaic var. of ENMESH

immethodical (im'mэ θäd´i kэl) •adj. not methodical

immigrant (im´э grэnt) •n. 1 a person who immigrates 2 a plant or animal that has recently appeared for the first time in a locality •adj. 1 of or relating to immigrants 2 immigrating SYN. ALIEN [< L immigrans, prp.]

immigrate (im´э greit') -grat'ed, -grat'ing •vi. to come into a new country, region, or environment, esp. in order to settle there: opposed to EMIGRATE •vt. to bring in as an immigrant SYN. MIGRATE [< L immigratus, pp. of immigrare, to go or remove into: see IN-¹ & MIGRATE]

immigration (im´э grei´shэn) •n. 1 an act or instance of immigrating 2 the number of immigrants entering a country or region during a specified period

imminence (im´э nэns) •n. 1 the quality or fact of being imminent: also im´mi·nen·cy 2 something imminent; esp., impending evil, danger, etc. [L imminentia]

imminent (im´э nэnt) •adj. likely to happen without delay; impending; threatening: said of danger, evil, misfortune im´mi·nent·ly •adv. [L imminens, prp. of imminere, to project over, threaten < in-, on + minere, to project: see MENACE]

immingle (im miŋ´gэl) -gled, -gling •vt., vi. INTERMINGLE

immiscible (im mis´э bэl) •adj. that cannot be mixed, as oil and water im·mis'ci·bil´i·ty •n. im·mis´ci·bly •adv. [< IN-² + MISCIBLE]

immiseration (i miz'эr ei´shэn) •n. a making or becoming miserable, as through pauperization Also im·mis'er·i·za´tion (-i zei´shэn)

immitigable (im mit´i gэ bэl) •adj. that cannot be mitigated [LL immitigabilis: see IN-² & MITIGATE]

immix (im miks´) •vt., vi. to mix thoroughly im·mix´ture (-chэr) •n. [back-form. < obs. immixt, mixed in with (< L immixtus, pp. of immiscere < in-, in + miscere, to MIX), taken as Eng pp.]

immobile (im mou´bэl, i mo´-; also, -bil, -bi:l' &, chiefly Brit & Cdn, -bail') •adj. 1 not movable; firmly set or placed; stable 2 not moving or changing; motionless im'mo·bil´i·ty •n. [ME inmobill < OFr immobile < L immobilis: see IN-² & MOBILE]

immobilize (im mou´bэ laiz', i mou´-) -lized', -liz'ing •vt. 1 to make immobile; prevent the movement of; keep in place 2 to prevent the movement of (a limb or joint) with splints or a cast im·mo'bi·li·za´tion •n. [Fr immobiliser]

immoderate (im mäd´эr it, i mäd´-) •adj. 1 not moderate; without restraint; unreasonable; excessive 2 [Obs.] boundless SYN. EXCESSIVE im·mod´er·ate·ly •adv. im·mod'er·a´tion, im·mod´er·ate·ness, or im·mod´er·a·cy (-э si:) •n. [ME < L immoderatus]

immodest (im mäd´ist, i mäd´-) •adj. not modest; specif., a) not decorous; indecent b) not shy or humble; bold; forward im·mod´est·ly •adv. im·mod´es·ty •n. [L immodestus, excessive, immoderate: see IN-² & MODEST]

immolate (im´э leit') -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vt. 1 to sacrifice; esp., to offer or kill as a sacrifice 2 to kill or destroy im'mo·la´tion •n. im´mo·la'tor •n. [< L immolatus, pp. of immolare, to sprinkle a victim with sacrificial meal < in-, on + mola, MEAL²]

immoral (im mör´эl, i mör´-) •adj. 1 not in conformity with accepted principles of right and wrong behavior 2 wicked 3 not in conformity with the accepted standards of proper sexual behavior; unchaste; lewd im·mor´al·ly •adv. [< IN-² + MORAL]

immoralist (-ist) •n. an immoral person; specif., one who advocates immorality

immorality (im'mou ræl´i ti:, im'э-; im'mör æl´-, im'ör-) •n. 1 the state or quality of being immoral 2 immoral behavior 3 pl. -ties an immoral act or practice; vice

immortal (im mört´ªl, i mört´-) •adj. 1 not mortal; deathless; living or lasting forever 2 of or relating to immortality 3 lasting a long time; enduring 4 having lasting fame {an immortal poet} •n. an immortal being; specif., a) [pl.] the ancient Greek or Roman gods b) a person having lasting fame im·mor·tal·i·ty (im'mör tæl´i ti:) •n. im·mor´tal·ly •adv. [ME < L immortalis: see IN-² & MORTAL]

immortalize (im mört´ªl aiz', i mört´-) -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to make immortal; esp., to give lasting fame to im·mor'tal·i·za´tion •n. im·mor´tal·iz'er •n.

immortelle (im'mör tel´) •n. EVERLASTING (n. 2) [Fr fem. of immortel, IMMORTAL]

immotile (im mout´ªl) •adj. not motile; unable to move

immovable (im mu:v´э bэl, i mu:v´-) •adj. 1 that cannot be moved; firmly fixed; not capable of movement 2 not moving; immobile; motionless; stationary 3 that cannot be changed; unyielding; steadfast 4 unemotional; impassive •n. [pl.] Law immovable objects or property, as land, buildings, etc. im·mov'a··bil´i·ty or im·mov´a·ble·ness •n. im·mov´a·bly •adv. [ME immouable]

immune (im myu:n´, i myu:n´) •adj. 1 protected against something disagreeable or harmful 2 not susceptible to some specified disease because of the presence of the specific antibodies 3 of or relating to immunity or the immune system •n. an immune person [ME immuin < L immunis, free from public service, exempt < in-, without + munia, duties, functions < IE *moini-: see COMMON]

immune body ANTIBODY

immune system the system that protects the body from disease by producing antibodies

immunity (im myu:n´i ti:, i myu:n´-) pl. -ties •n. 1 exemption or freedom from something burdensome or otherwise unpleasant, as a legal obligation 2 resistance to or protection against a specified disease; power to resist infection, esp. as a result of antibody formation SYN. EXEMPTION [ME ynmunite < OFr immunité < L immunitas, freedom from public service < immunis: see IMMUNE]

immunize (im´myu: naiz', im´yu:-; -yэ-) -nized', -niz'ing •vt. to give immunity to, as by inoculation im'mu·ni·za´tion •n.

immuno- (im´myu: nou', im´yu:-; im myu:´-, im yu:´-) combining form immune, immunity {immunology}

immunoassay (im'myu: nou'æs´ei', -æ sei´; im'yu:-; im myu:'-, im yu:'-) •n. a technique for analyzing, and measuring the concentration of, antibodies, hormones, etc. in the body, used in diagnosing disease, detecting the presence of a tumor or drug, etc. [prec. + ASSAY]

immunochemistry (-kem´is tri:) •n. the study of the chemical reactions and phenomena of immunity

immunodeficiency (-di: fish´эn si:, -di-) •n. a condition in which the ability of the immune system to produce antibodies is impaired

immunofluorescence (-flu:'э res´эns, -flu: res´-, -flör es´-) •n. the use of a special microscope with ultraviolet light and antibodies labeled with fluorescent dyes to locate specific antigens in tissues im'mu·no'flu'o·res´cent •adj.

immunogenetics (-jэ net´iks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the branch of genetics dealing with inherited differences in antigens or antibody responses

immunogenic (-jen´ik) •adj. producing immunity im'mu·no'gen´i·cal·ly •adv.

immunoglobulin (-gläb´yu: lin) •n. a globulin protein that participates in the immune reaction as the antibody for a specific antigen

immunology (im'myu: näl´э ji:, im'yu:-) •n. the branch of science dealing with a) antigens and antibodies, esp. concerning immunity to some infections b) cellular immune mechanisms, as in the rejection of foreign tissues im'mu·no'log´i·cal (-nou'läj´i kэl) or im'mu·no'log´ic •adj. im'mu·no'log´i·cal·ly •adv. im'mu·nol´o·gist •n. [IMMUNO- + -LOGY]

immunoreaction (im'myu: nou'ri: æk´shэn, im'yu:-; im myu:'-, im yu:'-) •n. the reaction between an antigen and its antibody

immunosuppression (-sэ presh´эn) •n. the inactivation of a specific antibody by various agents, thus permitting the acceptance of a foreign substance, as a transplant, by an organism im'mu·no'sup·pres´sant or im'mu·no'sup·pres´sive •adj.

immunotherapy (-θer´э pi:) •n. 1 the treatment of disease or infection by immunization 2 the process of immunosuppression

immure (im myur´, i myur´) -mured´, -mur´ing •vt. 1 to shut up within or as within walls; imprison, confine, or seclude 2 to entomb in a wall im·mure´ment •n. [< OFr or ML: OFr emmurrer < ML immurare < L in-, in + murus, wall: see MERE³]

immutable (im myu:t´э bэl, i myu:t´-) •adj. never changing or varying; unchangeable im·mu'ta·bil´i·ty or im·mu´ta·ble·ness •n. im·mu´ta·bly •adv. [ME < L immutabilis: see IN-² & MUTABLE]

Imogen (im´э jen') a feminine name Also Im´o·gene' (-ji:n') [first recorded in Shakespeare's Cymbeline (First Folio): ? misprint for Holinshed's Innogen]

imp (imp) •n. 1 orig., a) a shoot or graft b) a child; offspring 2 a devil's offspring; young demon 3 a mischievous child •vt. [Archaic] [ME impen < OE impian] 1 to implant, esp. by grafting 2 to repair (the wing or tail of a falcon) by grafting on (feathers) 3 to furnish with wings 4 to help out by adding to, increasing, etc. [ME impe < OE impa < impian, to graft in, akin to OHG impfōn < VL *imputare (< im-, in + putare, to prune), transl. of Gr emphyteyein, to engraft < emphyta, scion < em-, in + phyton, growth: see -PHYTE] imp abbrev. 1 imperative 2 imperfect 3 imperial 4 impersonal 5 import 6 importer 7 imprimatur

imp gal imperial gallon

impact (for v. im pækt´, im´pækt'; for n. im´pækt') •vt. 1 to force tightly together; pack; wedge 2 [Colloq.] to affect •vi. 1 to hit with force 2 [Colloq.] to have an effect: usually with on •n. 1 a striking together; violent contact; collision 2 the force of a collision; shock 3 the power of an event, idea, etc. to produce changes, move the feelings, etc. im·pac´tion •n. [< L impactus, pp. of impingere, to press firmly together: see IMPINGE]

impacted (im pækt´id) •adj. 1 pressed tightly together; driven firmly in; wedged in; esp., firmly lodged in the jaw: said of a tooth unable to erupt properly because of its abnormal position, lack of space, etc. Æ 2 financially or otherwise strained by heavy demand on public services, as schools: said esp. of areas having a high population density or a large proportion of federal employees living on nontaxable federal property such as a military base

impactive (im pæk´tiv) •adj. of or having an impact

impair (im per´) •vt. to make worse, less, weaker, etc.; damage; reduce SYN. INJURE im·pair´ment •n. [ME empeiren < OFr empeirer < VL *impejorare < L in-, intens. + LL pejorare, to make worse: see PEJORATIVE]

impala (im pä´lэ, -pæl´э) pl. -la •n.or -las a medium-sized, reddish antelope (Aepyceros melampus) of central and S Africa [Zulu]

impale (im peil´) -paled´, -pal´ing •vt. 1 [Rare] to surround with or as with a palisade 2 a) to pierce through with, or fix on, something pointed; transfix b) to punish or torture by fixing on a stake 3 to make helpless, as if fixed on a stake {impaled by her glance} 4 Heraldry to join (two coats of arms) side by side on one shield im·pale´ment •n. [Fr empaler < ML impalare < L in-, on + palus, a stake, POLE¹]

impalpable (im pæl´pэ bэl) •adj. 1 that cannot be felt by touching 2 too slight or subtle to be grasped easily by the mind im·pal'pa·bil´i·ty •n. im·pal´pa·bly •adv. [Fr < ML impalpabilis: see IN-² & PALPABLE]

impanation (im'pэ nei´shэn) •n. Theol. the doctrine that the body and blood of Christ are present in the bread and wine of the Eucharist after consecration but without change in the substance of the bread and wine: cf. TRANSUBSTANTIATION [ML impanatio < pp. of impanare, to embody in bread < L in-, in + panis, bread: see FOOD]

impanel (im pæn´эl) -eled or -elled, -el·ing or -el·ling •vt. 1 to enter the name or names of on a jury list 2 to choose (a jury) from such a list im·pan´el·ment •n.

imparadise (im pær´э dais') -dised', -dis'ing •vt. 1 to make as happy as though in paradise; transport; enrapture 2 to make into a paradise

imparity (im pær´i ti:) pl. -ties •n. [Rare] disparity; lack of equality [LL imparitas < L impar, unequal: see IN-² & PAR]

impark (im pärk´) •vt. [Archaic] 1 to shut up (animals) in a park 2 to enclose (land) for a park [LME imparken < Anglo-Fr enparker, for OFr enparquer]

impart (im pärt´) •vt. 1 to give a share or portion of; give 2 to make known; tell; reveal im·part´a·ble •adj. im'par·ta´tion •n. im·part´er •n. [ME imparten < OFr empartir < L impartire: see IN-¹ & PART]

impartial (im pär´shэl) •adj. favoring no one side or party more than another; without prejudice or bias; fair; just SYN. FAIR¹ im·par'ti·al´i·ty (-shi: æl´i ti:) •n. im·par´tial·ly •adv. [< IN-² + PARTIAL]

impartible (im pärt´э bэl) •adj. that cannot be partitioned or divided; indivisible: said of an estate im·part´i·bly •adv. im·part'i·bil´i·ty •n. [LL impartibilis: see IN-² & PARTIBLE]

impassable (im pæs´э bэl) •adj. that cannot be passed, crossed, or traveled over {an impassable highway} im·pass'a·bil´i·ty •n. im·pass´a·bly •adv.

impasse (im´pæs', im pæs´) •n. 1 a passage open only at one end; blind alley 2 a situation offering no escape, as a difficulty without solution, an argument where no agreement is possible, etc.; deadlock [Fr: see IN-² & PASS]

impassible (im pæs´э bэl) •adj. 1 that cannot feel pain; incapable of suffering 2 that cannot be injured; invulnerable 3 that cannot be moved emotionally; unfeeling im·pas'si·bil´i·ty •n. im·pas´si·bly •adv. [ME < OFr < LL(Ec) impassibilis: see IN-² & PASSIBLE]

impassion (im pæsh´эn) •vt. to fill with passion; arouse emotionally [It impassionare]

impassioned (-эnd) •adj. filled with passion; having or showing strong feeling; passionate; fiery; ardent SYN. PASSIONATE im·pas´sioned·ly •adv.

impassive (im pæs´iv) •adj. 1 not feeling pain; not liable to suffering; insensible 2 not feeling or showing emotion; placid; calm im·pas´sive·ly •adv. im·pas·siv·i·ty (im'pæ siv´i ti:) or im·pas´sive·ness •n. SYN.—impassive means not having or showing any feeling or emotion, although it does not necessarily connote an incapability of being affected [his impassive face did not betray his anguish]; apathetic stresses an indifference or listlessness from which one cannot easily be stirred to feeling [an apathetic electorate]; stoic implies an austere indifference to pleasure or pain and specifically suggests the ability to endure suffering without flinching [he received the bad news with stoic calm]; stolid suggests dullness, obtuseness, or stupidity in one who is not easily moved or excited; phlegmatic is applied to one who by temperament is not easily disconcerted or aroused [< IN-² + PASSIVE]

impaste (im peist´) -past´ed, -past´ing •vt. 1 to enclose or crust over with or as with paste 2 to make a paste or crust of 3 to apply a thick coat as of paint to [It impastare < in- (see IN-¹) + pasta, PASTE]

impasto (im päs´tou, -pæs´-) •n. 1 painting in which the paint is laid thickly on the canvas 2 paint so laid on [It < impastare: see IMPASTE]

impatience (im pei´shэns) •n. lack of patience; specif., a) annoyance because of delay, opposition, etc. b) restless eagerness to do something, go somewhere, etc. [ME impacience < OFr < L impatientia]

impatiens (im pei´shi: enz', -shэnz) •n. any of a genus (Impatiens) of plants of the balsam family, with spurred flowers and pods that burst and scatter their seeds when ripe [ModL < L: see IMPATIENT]

impatient (im pei´shэnt) •adj. feeling or showing a lack of patience; specif., a) feeling or showing annoyance because of delay, opposition, etc. b) feeling or showing restless eagerness to do something, go somewhere, etc. impatient of not willing to bear or tolerate im·pa´tient·ly •adv. [ME impacient < OFr < L impatiens: see IN-² & PATIENT]

impeach (im pi:ch´) •vt. 1 to challenge or discredit (a person's honor, reputation, etc.) 2 to challenge the practices or honesty of; accuse; esp., to bring (a public official) before the proper tribunal on charges of wrongdoing •n. [Obs.] impeachment SYN. ACCUSE im·peach´ment •n. [ME empechen < OFr empechier, to hinder < LL impedicare, to fetter, entangle < L in-, in + pedica, a fetter < pes, FOOT]

impeachable (im pi:ch´э bэl) •adj. 1 liable to be impeached 2 making one liable to be impeached {an impeachable act} im·peach'a·bil´i·ty •n.

impearl (im pørl´) •vt. [Now Rare] 1 to form into pearls or pearl-like drops 2 to decorate with or as with pearls [Fr emperler: see IM- & PEARL¹]

impeccable (im pek´э bэl) •adj. 1 not liable to sin, incapable of wrongdoing 2 without defect or error; faultless; flawless im·pec'ca·bil´i·ty •n. im·pec´ca·bly •adv. [L impeccabilis < in-, not + peccare, to sin]

impeccant (im pek´эnt) •adj. free from sin or wrong; blameless im·pec´can·cy (-эn si:) •n. [< L in-, not + peccans, prp. of peccare, to sin]

impecunious (im'pi kyu:´ni: эs) •adj. having no money; poor; penniless SYN. POOR im'pe·cu'ni·os´i·ty (-äs´i ti:) or im'pe·cu´ni·ous·ness •n. im'pe·cu´ni·ous·ly •adv. [< IN-² + obs. pecunious, rich < ME < OFr pécunieux < L pecuniosus, wealthy < pecunia, money: see PECUNIARY]

impedance (im pi:d´ªns) •n. 1 the total opposition offered by an electric circuit to the flow of an alternating current of a single frequency: it is a combination of resistance and reactance and is measured in ohms 2 the ratio of the force per unit area to the volume displacement of a given surface across which sound is being transmitted [< fol. + -ANCE]

impede (im pi:d´) -ped´ed, -ped´ing •vt. to bar or hinder the progress of; obstruct or delay SYN. HINDER¹ im·ped´er •n. [L impedire, to entangle, ensnare, lit., to hold the feet < in-, in + pes (gen. pedis), FOOT]

impediment (im ped´э mэnt) •n. 1 [Now Rare] an impeding or being impeded; obstruction 2 anything that impedes; specif., a) a speech defect; stutter, lisp, stammer, etc. b) anything preventing the making of a legal contract, esp. of a marriage contract c) R.C.Ch. anything making marriage or ordination invalid or illicit SYN. OBSTACLE [ME < L impedimentum, hindrance]

impedimenta (im ped'э men´tэ) •n.pl. things hindering progress, as on a trip; encumbrances; esp., baggage, supplies, or equipment, as those carried along with an army [L, pl. of impedimentum: see IMPEDIMENT]

impel (im pel´) -pelled´, -pel´ling •vt. 1 to push, drive, or move forward; propel 2 to force, compel, or urge; incite; constrain im·pel´lent •adj., n. [ME impellen < L impellere < in-, in + pellere, to drive < IE base *pel-, to push into motion, drive > FELT]

impeller (im pel´эr) •n. any person or thing that impels, as the rotorlike part in a water pump

impend (im pend´) •vi. 1 [Now Rare] to hang or be suspended (over) 2 a) to be about to happen; be imminent b) to threaten im·pend´ing •adj. [L impendere, to overhang, threaten < in-, in + pendere, to hang, prob. < IE base *(s)pen(d)-, to pull, stretch > SPIN]

impendent (im pen´dэnt) •adj. impending; about to happen im·pend´ence or im·pend´en·cy •n. [L impendens, prp. of impendere]

impenetrable (im pen´i trэ bэl) •adj. 1 that cannot be penetrated or passed through {an impenetrable jungle} 2 that cannot be solved or understood; unfathomable; inscrutable 3 unreceptive to ideas, impressions, influences, etc. 4 Physics having that property of matter by which two bodies are prevented from occupying the same space at the same time im·pen'e·tra·bil´i·ty •n. im·pen´e·tra·bly •adv. [ME inpenetrable < Fr impénétrable < L impenetrabilis]

impenitent (im pen´э tэnt) •adj. without regret, shame, or remorse; unrepentant •n. an impenitent person im·pen´i·tence or im·pen´i·ten·cy •n. im·pen´i·tent·ly •adv. [LL(Ec) impaenitens]

imper imperative

imperative (im per´э tiv) •adj. 1 having the nature of, or indicating, power or authority; commanding {an imperative gesture} 2 absolutely necessary; urgent; compelling {it is imperative that I go} 3 Gram. designating or of the mood of a verb that expresses a command, strong request, or exhortation •n. 1 a binding or compelling rule, duty, requirement, etc. 2 a command; order 3 Gram. a) the imperative mood b) a verb in this mood im·per´a·tive·ly •adv. im·per´a·tive·ness •n. [LL imperativus, commanding < pp. of L imperare, to command: see EMPEROR]

imperator (im'pэ rei´tör', -rä´-; -tэr) •n. in ancient Rome, a title of honor given originally to generals and later to emperors im·per·a·to·ri·al (im' pэr'э tör´i: эl) •adj. [L, commander in chief: see EMPEROR]

imperceptible (im'pэr sep´tэ bэl) •adj. not plain or distinct to the senses or the mind; esp., so slight, gradual, subtle, etc. as not to be easily perceived im'per·cep'ti·bil´i·ty •n. im'per·cep´ti·bly •adv. [Fr < ML imperceptibilis: see IN-² & PERCEPTIBLE]

imperceptive (im'pэr sep´tiv) •adj. not perceptive; lacking perception Also im'per·cip´i·ent (-sip´i: эnt) im'per·cep´tive·ness •n.

imperf imperfect

imperfect (im pør´fikt) •adj. 1 not finished or complete; lacking in something 2 not perfect; having a defect, fault, or error 3 Gram. in certain inflected languages, designating or of the tense of a verb that indicates a past action or state as uncompleted, continuous, customary, or going on at the same time as another: was writing and used to write are English forms corresponding to the imperfect tense in such languages 4 Music designating an interval of a major or minor third or sixth •n. 1 the imperfect tense 2 a verb in this tense im·per´fect·ly •adv. im·per´fect·ness •n. [ME inperfit < OFr imparfit < L imperfectus: see IN-² & PERFECT]

imperfect flower a unisexual flower with only stamens or only pistils

imperfect fungus any of a subdivision (Deuteromycotina) of fungi for which no sexual stage of reproduction is known

imperfection (im'pэr fek´shэn) •n. 1 the quality or condition of being imperfect 2 a shortcoming; defect; fault; blemish SYN. DEFECT [ME imperfeccioun < OFr imperfection < LL imperfectio]

imperfective (im'pэr fek´tiv) •adj. Gram. designating or of an aspect of verbs, as in Russian, expressing continuing or incomplete action or making no reference to completion •n. 1 the imperfective aspect 2 a verb in this aspect

imperforate (im pør´fэ rit, -fэ reit') •adj. 1 having no holes or openings; unpierced 2 having a straight edge without perforations: said of a postage stamp, etc. 3 Anat. lacking the normal opening Also im·per´fo·rat'ed •n. an imperforate stamp im·per'fo·ra´tion •n. [< IN-² + PERFORATE]

imperial (im pir´i: эl) •adj. 1 of an empire 2 of a country having control or sovereignty over other countries or colonies 3 of, or having the rank of, an emperor or empress 4 having supreme authority; sovereign 5 a) majestic; august b) imperious 6 of great size or superior quality 7 a) of or pertaining to the Commonwealth b) according to the standard of weights and measures set by British law and used in Great Britain, Canada, and some other countries •n. 1 [I-] a supporter or a soldier of any of the Holy Roman emperors 2 the roof or top of a coach, or a luggage case carried on it 3 an article of great size or superior quality 4 a size of writing paper measuring 23 by 31 inches (in England, 22 by 30 or 32 inches) Æ 5 a pointed tuft of beard on the lower lip and chin [after the emperor Louis Napoleon, who set this fashion] im·pe´ri·al·ly •adv. [OFr < L imperialis < imperium, EMPIRE]

imperial gallon the standard British gallon, equal to 4.546 liters or about 1¹/5 U.S. gallons

imperial moth a large American moth (Eacles imperialis) having yellow wings with purple markings

Imperial Valley a rich agricultural region in S Calif. & N Baja California, Mexico, reclaimed from the Colorado Desert

imperialism (im pir´i: эl iz'эm) •n. 1 imperial state, authority, or system of government 2 the policy and practice of forming and maintaining an empire in seeking to control raw materials and world markets by the conquest of other countries, the establishment of colonies, etc. 3 the policy and practice of seeking to dominate the economic or political affairs of underdeveloped areas or weaker countries im·pe´ri·al·ist •n., adj. im·pe'ri·al·is´tic •adj. im·pe'ri·al·is´ti·cal·ly •adv.

imperil (im per´эl) -iled or -illed, -il·ing or -il·ling •vt. to put in peril; endanger im·per´il·ment •n.

imperious (im pir´i: эs) •adj. 1 overbearing, arrogant, domineering, etc. 2 urgent; imperative SYN. MASTERFUL im·pe´ri·ous·ly •adv. im·pe´ri·ous·ness •n. [L imperiosus < imperium, EMPIRE]

imperishable (im per´ish э bэl) •adj. not perishable; that will not die or decay; indestructible; immortal im·per'ish·a·bil´i·ty •n. im·per´ish·a·bly •adv.

imperium (im pir´i: эm) pl. -ri·a (-э) •n. 1 supreme power; absolute authority or rule; imperial sovereignty 2 Law the right of a state to use force in maintaining the law [L: see EMPIRE]

impermanent (im pør´mэ nэnt) •adj. not permanent; not lasting; fleeting; temporary im·per´ma·nence or im·per´ma·nen·cy •n. im·per´ma·nent·ly •adv.

impermeable (im pør´mi: э bэl) •adj. not permeable; not permitting fluids to pass through it; impenetrable im·per'me·a·bil´i·ty •n. im·per´me·a·bly •adv. [LL impermeabilis]

impermissible (im'pэr mis´э bэl) •adj. not permissible im'per·mis'si·bil´i·ty •n.

impersonal (im pør´sэ nэl) •adj. 1 not personal; specif., a) without connection or reference to any particular person {an impersonal comment} b) not existing as a person {an impersonal force} 2 not showing human feelings, esp. sympathy or warmth {don't be so cold and impersonal} 3 Gram. a) designating or of a verb occurring only in the third person singular, in English generally with it as the indefinite subject (Ex.: it is snowing) b) indefinite (said of pronouns) •n. an impersonal verb or pronoun im·per'son·al´i·ty (-næl´i ti:) •n. im·per´son·al·ly •adv. [LL impersonalis]

impersonalize (im pør´sэ nэ laiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to make impersonal

impersonate (im pør´sэ neit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. 1 [Now Rare] to represent in the form of a person; personify; embody 2 to act the part of; specif., a) to mimic the appearance, manner, etc. of (a person) for purposes of entertainment b) to pretend to be for purposes of fraud {to impersonate an officer} im·per'son·a´tion •n. im·per´son·a'tor •n.

impertinence (im pørt´ªn эns) •n. 1 the quality or fact of being impertinent; specif., a) lack of pertinence; irrelevance b) insolence; impudence 2 an impertinent act, remark, etc. Also im·per´ti·nen·cy, pl. -cies [Fr]

impertinent (im pørt´ªn эnt) •adj. 1 not pertinent; having no connection with a given matter; irrelevant 2 not showing proper respect or manners; saucy; insolent; impudent 3 [Rare] not suitable to the circumstances; inappropriate im·per´ti·nent·ly •adv. SYN.—impertinent implies a forwardness of speech or action that is disrespectful and oversteps the bounds of propriety or courtesy; impudent implies a shameless or brazen impertinence; insolent implies defiant disrespect as displayed in openly insulting and contemptuous speech or behavior; saucy implies a flippancy and provocative levity toward one to whom respect should be shown [OFr < LL impertinens]

imperturbable (im'pэr tør´bэ bэl) •adj. that cannot be disconcerted, disturbed, or excited; impassive im'per·turb'a·bil´i·ty •n. im'per·turb´a·bly •adv. [LL imperturbabilis: see IN-², PERTURB, -ABLE]

imperturbation (im'pørt'эr bei´shэn, -pэrt эr-) •n. freedom from excitement; serenity; calmness [LL(Ec) imperturbatio: see IN-² & PERTURBATION]

impervious (im pør´vi: эs) •adj. 1 incapable of being passed through or penetrated {a fabric impervious to moisture} 2 not affected by: with to {impervious to pity} im·per´vi·ous·ly •adv. im·per´vi·ous·ness •n. [L impervius: see IN-² & PERVIOUS]

impetigo (im'pэ tai´gou) •n. any of certain skin diseases characterized by the eruption of pustules, esp., a contagious disease of this kind, caused by staphylococci and streptococci im'pe·tig´i·nous (-tij´э nэs) •adj. [L < impetere, to attack: see IMPETUS]

impetrate (im´pэ treit') -trat'ed, -trat'ing •vt. 1 to get by request or entreaty 2 [Rare] to implore; ask for im'pe·tra´tion •n. [< L impetratus, pp. of impetrare, to accomplish < in-, intens. + patrare, to accomplish < pater, FATHER]

impetuosity (im pech'u: äs´i ti:) •n. 1 the quality of being impetuous 2 pl. -ties an impetuous action or feeling [MFr impétuosité < LL impetuositas < L impetuosus]

impetuous (im pech´u: эs) •adj. 1 moving with great force or violence; having great impetus; rushing; furious {impetuous winds} 2 acting or done suddenly with little thought; rash; impulsive SYN. SUDDEN im·pet´u·ous·ly •adv. im·pet´u·ous·ness •n. [ME impetuouse < OFr impetueuse < L impetuosus < impetus: see IMPETUS]

impetus (im´pэ tэs) pl. -tus·es •n. 1 the force with which a body moves against resistance, resulting from its mass and the velocity at which it is set in motion 2 anything that stimulates activity; driving force or motive; incentive; impulse [L < impetere, to rush upon < in-, in + petere, to rush at: see FEATHER]

impf imperfect

Imphal (imp´hûl') city in NE India: capital of Manipur state: pop. 156,000

impiety (im pai´э ti:) •n. 1 a lack of piety; specif., a) lack of reverence for God b) lack of respect or dutifulness, as toward a parent 2 pl. -ties an impious act or remark [ME impietie < OFr or L: OFr impiété < L impietas]

impinge (im pinj´) -pinged´, -ping´ing •vi. 1 a) to strike, hit, or dash (on, upon, or against something) b) to touch (on or upon); have an effect {an idea that impinges on one's mind} 2 to make inroads or encroach (on or upon the property or rights of another) im·pinge´ment •n. im·ping´er •n. [L impingere < in-, in + pangere, to strike: see FANG]

impious (im´pi: эs) •adj. not pious; specif., a) lacking reverence for God b) lacking respect or dutifulness, as toward a parent im´pi·ous·ly •adv. im´pi·ous·ness •n. [L impius]

impish (im´pish) •adj. of or like an imp; mischievous imp´ish·ly •adv. imp´ish·ness •n.

implacable (im plei´kэ bэl, -plæk´-) •adj. 1 not placable; that cannot be appeased or pacified; relentless; inexorable 2 [Rare] that cannot be eased, lessened, or allayed SYN. INFLEXIBLE im·pla'ca·bil´i·ty •n. im·pla´ca·bly •adv. [Fr < L implacabilis]

implacental (im'plэ sent´ªl) •adj. APLACENTAL Also im'pla·cen´tate' (-sen´teit') [< IN-¹ + PLACENTAL]

implant (for v. im plænt´; for n. im´plænt') •vt. 1 to plant firmly or deeply; embed 2 to fix firmly in the mind; instill; inculcate 3 Med. to insert (a substance, organ, or piece of living tissue) within the body, as in grafting •n. Med. an implanted substance, organ, or piece of tissue im·plant´a·ble (-plænt´э bэl) •adj. im'plan·ta´tion (-plæn tei´shэn) •n. [Fr implanter: see IN-¹ & PLANT]

implausible (im plö´zэ bэl) •adj. not plausible im·plau'si·bil´i·ty, pl. -ties, •n. im·plau´si·bly •adv.

implead (im pli:d´) •vt., vi. 1 to prosecute or sue in a law court 2 to bring into an action by impleader [ME enpleden < Anglo-Fr enpleder < OFr emplaidier: see IN-¹ & PLEAD]

impleader (-эr) •n. a legal procedure by which a defendant brings into an action a new party who may be liable for all or part of the plaintiff's claim against the defendant

implement (im´plэ mэnt; for v., -ment') •n. 1 any article or device used or needed in a given activity; tool, instrument, utensil, etc. 2 any thing or person used as a means to some end •vt. 1 to carry into effect; fulfill; accomplish 2 to provide the means for the carrying out of; give practical effect to 3 to provide with implements im'ple·men´tal •adj. im'ple·men·ta´tion (-mэn tei´shэn) •n. im´ple·ment'er or im´ple·men'tor (-ment'эr) •n. SYN.—implement applies to any device used to carry on some work or effect some purpose [agricultural implements]; tool is commonly applied to manual implements such as are used in carpentry, plumbing, etc.; instrument specifically implies use for delicate work or for scientific or artistic purposes [surgical instruments] and may also be applied, as are tool and implement, to a thing or person serving as a means to an end; appliance specifically suggests a mechanical or power-driven device, esp. one for household use; utensil is used of any implement or container for domestic use, esp. a pot, pan, etc. [ME < LL implementum, a filling up < L implere, to fill up < in-, in + plere, to fill: see FULL¹]

impletion (im pli:´shэn) •n. [Rare] a filling or being filled [LL(Ec) impletio < pp. of L implere: see IMPLEMENT]

implicate (im´pli keit') -cat'ed, -cat'ing •vt. 1 a) to show to have a connection with a crime, fault, etc.; involve b) to show to be involved or concerned 2 [Rare] to imply 3 [Archaic] to twist or fold together; intertwine; entangle im´pli·ca'tive •adj. im´pli·ca'tive·ly •adv. [< L implicatus, pp. of implicare, to enfold, involve: see IMPLY]

implication (im'pli kei´shэn) •n. 1 an implicating or being implicated 2 an implying or being implied 3 a) something implied, from which an inference may be drawn b) Logic a formal relationship between two propositions such that if the first is true then the second is necessarily or logically true [ME implicacioun < L implicatio]

implicit (im plis´it) •adj. 1 suggested or to be understood though not plainly expressed; implied: distinguished from EXPLICIT 2 necessarily or naturally involved though not plainly apparent or expressed; essentially a part or condition; inherent 3 without reservation or doubt; unquestioning; absolute 4 [Obs.] implicated; entangled im·plic´it·ly •adv. im·plic´it·ness •n. [L implicitus, pp. of implicare: see IMPLY]

implicit function the mathematical rule or function which permits computation of one variable directly from another when an equation relating both variables is given (Ex.: y is an implicit function of x in the equation x + y³ + 2x²y + xy = 0): see EXPLICIT FUNCTION

implied (im plaid´) •adj. involved, suggested, or understood without being openly or directly expressed

implode (im ploud´) -plod´ed, -plod´ing •vt. 1 to cause to burst inward 2 Phonet. to articulate by implosion •vi. to burst inward [< IN-¹ + (EX)PLODE]

implore (im plör´) -plored´, -plor´ing •vt. 1 to ask or beg earnestly for; beseech 2 to ask or beg (a person) to do something; entreat SYN. BEG im·plor´ing·ly •adv. [L implorare, to beseech, entreat < in-, intens. + plorare, to cry out, weep]

implosion (im plou´zhэn) •n. an imploding; specif., a) a bursting inward b) Phonet. the sudden rush of air into the pharynx that occurs in the articulation of certain stops found esp. in some African languages {the sound represented in English by the spelling tsk is produced by implosion} (see CLICK, (n. 3)) [< IN-¹ + (EX)PLOSION]

implosive (im plou´siv) •adj. Phonet. formed by implosion •n. Phonet. an implosive sound or consonant im·plo´sive·ly •adv.

imply (im plai´) -plied´, -ply´ing •vt. 1 to have as a necessary part, condition, or effect; contain, include, or involve naturally or necessarily {drama implies conflict} 2 to indicate indirectly or by allusion; hint; suggest; intimate {an attitude implying boredom} 3 [Obs.] to enfold; entangle SYN. SUGGEST [ME implien < OFr emplier < L implicare, to involve, entangle < in-, in + plicare, to fold: see PLY¹]

impolicy (im päl´э si:) pl. -cies •n. 1 the quality of being impolitic 2 something impolitic, as an unwise act or policy [< IN-² + POLICY¹, after IMPOLITIC]

impolite (im'pэ lait´) •adj. not polite; ill-mannered; discourteous SYN. RUDE im'po·lite´ly •adv. im'po·lite´ness •n. [L impolitus, unpolished]

impolitic (im päl´э tik') •adj. not politic; unwise; injudicious; inexpedient im·pol´i·tic·ly •adv.

imponderable (im pän´dэr э bэl) •adj. not ponderable; specif., a) that cannot be weighed or measured b) that cannot be conclusively determined or explained •n. anything imponderable im·pon'der·a·bil´i·ty •n. im·pon´der·a·bly •adv.

impone (im poun´) -poned´, -pon´ing •vt. [Obs.] to wager; stake [L imponere, to set upon: see IMPOSE]

import (for v. im pört´, also im´pört'; for n. im´pört') •vt. 1 a) to bring in from the outside; introduce b) to bring (goods) from another country or countries, esp. for purposes of sale 2 to mean; signify {an action that imports trouble} 3 [Archaic] to be of importance to; concern •vi. to be of importance; matter •n. 1 the act or business of importing (goods) 2 something imported 3 meaning; signification 4 importance •adj. of or for importing or imports im·port´a·ble •adj. im·port´er •n. [ME importen < L importare, to bring in, introduce < in-, in + portare, to carry (see FARE); vt. 2, 3, & vi. < ML importare, to imply, mean, be of importance < L]

importance (im pört´ªns) •n. 1 the state or quality of being important; significance; consequence 2 [Obs.] a) a matter or consequence b) import, or meaning c) importunity SYN.—importance, the broadest of these terms, implies greatness of worth, meaning, influence, etc. [news of importance]; consequence, often interchangeable with the preceding, more specifically suggests importance with regard to outcome or result [a disagreement of no consequence]; moment expresses this same idea of importance in effect with somewhat stronger force [affairs of great moment]; weight implies an estimation of the relative importance of something [his word carries great weight with us]; significance implies an importance or momentousness because of a special meaning that may or may not be immediately apparent [an event of significance] [MFr < OIt importanza]

important (im pört´ªnt) •adj. 1 meaning a great deal; having much significance, consequence, or value 2 having, or acting as if having, power, authority, influence, high position, etc. 3 [Obs.] IMPORTUNATE (sense 1) im·por´tant·ly •adv. [Fr < OIt importante < ML importans, prp. of importare: see IMPORT]

importation (im'pör tei´shэn) •n. 1 an importing or being imported 2 something imported

importunate (im pör´chu nit, -chэ-) •adj. 1 urgent or persistent in asking or demanding; insistent; refusing to be denied; annoyingly urgent or persistent 2 [Obs.] troublesome; annoying im·por´tu·nate·ly •adv. im·por´tu·nate·ness •n. [< L importunus (see IMPORTUNE) + -ATE¹]

importune (im'pör tu:n´, -tyu:n´; -pэr-; chiefly Brit im pör´tyu:n', -chu:n') -tuned´, -tun´ing •vt. 1 to trouble with requests or demands; urge or entreat persistently or repeatedly 2 [Archaic] to ask for urgently; demand 3 [Obs.] a) to trouble; annoy b) to impel •vi. to make urgent requests or demands •adj. rare var. of IMPORTUNATE [ME < OFr importun < L importunus, unsuitable, troublesome < in-, not + (op) < portunus: see OPPORTUNE] SYN. BEG, URGE im'por·tune´ly •adv. im'por·tun´er •n. [Fr importuner < the adj.]

importunity (-tu:n´i ti:; -tyu:n´-) pl. -ties •n. an importuning or being importunate; persistence in requesting or demanding [Fr importunité < L importunitas]

impose (im pouz´) -posed´, -pos´ing •vt. 1 to place or set (a burden, tax, fine, etc. on or upon) as by authority 2 to force (oneself, one's presence or will, etc.) on another or others without right or invitation; obtrude 3 to pass off; palm off; foist, esp. by deception {to impose false cures on unsuspecting patients} 4 to arrange (pages of type or plates) in a frame in the proper order of printing 5 [Archaic] to place; put; deposit 6 to lay (the hands) on, as in ordaining impose on (or upon) 1 [Rare] to make a strong impression on 2 to take advantage of; put to some trouble or use unfairly for one's own benefit 3 to cheat or defraud im·pos´er •n. [Fr, altered by assoc. with poser (see POSE¹) < L imponere, to place upon < in-, on + ponere: see POSITION]

imposing (im pou´ziŋ) •adj. making a strong impression because of great size, strength, dignity, etc.; impressive SYN. GRAND im·pos´ing·ly •adv.

imposition (im'pэ zish´эn) •n. 1 an imposing or imposing on; specif., a) the forcing of oneself, one's presence or will, etc. on another or others without right or invitation; obtrusion b) a taking advantage of friendship, etc. c) the laying on of hands, as in ordaining 2 something imposed; specif., a) a tax, fine, etc. b) an unjust burden or requirement c) a deception; fraud 3 the arrangement of type pages or plates in the proper order of printing [OFr < L impositio, a laying upon, application]

impossibility (im päs'э bil´i ti:) •n. 1 the fact or quality of being impossible 2 pl. -ties something impossible [OFr impossibilite < LL impossibilitas]

impossible (im päs´э bэl) •adj. 1 not capable of being, being done, or happening 2 not capable of being done easily or conveniently 3 not capable of being endured, used, agreed to, etc. because disagreeable or unsuitable {an impossible task, an impossible request} im·pos´si·ble·ness •n. im·pos´si·bly •adv. [OFr < L impossibilis: see IN-² & POSSIBLE]

impost¹ (im´poust') •n. 1 a tax; esp., a duty on imported goods 2 Horse Racing the weight assigned to a horse in a handicap race Æ vt. to classify (imported goods) in order to assess the proper taxes [OFr < ML impostus < L impositus, pp. of imponere: see IMPOSE]

impost² (im´poust') •n. the top part of a pillar, pier, or wall supporting an arch [Fr imposte < It imposta < L impositus: see IMPOST1]

impostor or imposter (im päs´tэr) •n. a person who deceives or cheats others, esp. by pretending to be someone or something that he or she is not SYN. QUACK² [Fr imposteur < LL impostor < pp. of L imponere: see IMPOSE]

imposture (im päs´chэr) •n. the act or practice of an impostor; fraud; deception [Fr < LL impostura]

impotence (im´pэ tэns) •n. the quality or condition of being impotent Also im´po·ten·cy, pl. -cies [OFr < L impotentia]

impotent (im´pэ tэnt) •adj. 1 lacking physical strength; weak 2 ineffective, powerless, or helpless {impotent rage} 3 unable to engage in sexual intercourse, esp. because of an inability to have an erection 4 [Obs.] having no self-control SYN. STERILE im´po·tent·ly •adv. [OFr < L impotens: see IN-² & POTENT]

impound (im paund´) •vt. 1 to shut up (an animal) in a pound 2 to take and hold (a document, funds, a vehicle, etc.) in legal custody 3 to gather and enclose (water) for irrigation, etc. im·pound´ment •n.

impoverish (im päv´эr ish) •vt. 1 to make poor; reduce to poverty 2 to deprive of strength, resources, etc. im·pov´er·ish·ment •n. [ME empoverishen < extended stem of OFr empovrir < em- (< L in-, in) + povre < L pauper, POOR]

impower (im pau´эr) •vt. obs. var. of EMPOWER

impracticable (im præk´ti kэ bэl) •adj. 1 not capable of being carried out in practice {an impracticable plan} 2 not capable of being used {an impracticable road} 3 [Now Rare] not capable of being managed or dealt with; intractable {an impracticable person} im·prac'ti·ca·bil´i·ty or im·prac´ti·ca·ble·ness •n. im·prac´ti·ca·bly •adv. [< IN-² + PRACTICABLE]

impractical (im præk´ti kэl) •adj. not practical; specif., a) not workable or useful; impracticable b) not handling practical matters well c) given to theorizing; idealistic im·prac'ti·cal´i·ty or im·prac´ti·cal·ness •n. im·prac´ti·cal·ly •adv.

imprecate (im´pri keit') -cat'ed, -cat'ing •vt. 1 to pray for or invoke (evil, a curse, etc.) {to imprecate disaster upon one's foe} 2 [Rare] to invoke evil upon; curse SYN. CURSE im´pre·ca¿tor •n. [< L imprecatus, pp. of imprecari, to invoke, pray to < in-, in, on + precari, to PRAY]

imprecation (im'pri kei´shэn) •n. 1 the act of imprecating evil, etc. on someone 2 a curse {muttering imprecations as he worked} im´pre·ca·to'ry (-kэ tör'i:) •adj. [L imprecatio]

imprecise (im'pri sais´) •adj. not precise, exact, or definite; vague im'pre·cise´ly •adv. im'pre·ci´sion (-sizh´эn) •n.

impregnable¹ (im preg´nэ bэl) •adj. 1 not capable of being captured or entered by force 2 unshakable; unyielding; firm {an impregnable belief} im·preg'na·bil´i·ty •n. im·preg´na·bly •adv. [ME imprenable < OFr: see IN-² & PREGNABLE]

impregnable² (im preg´nэ bэl) •adj. that can be impregnated [fol. + -ABLE]

impregnate (im preg´neit'; for adj., -nit', -neit') -nat'ed, -nat'ing •vt. 1 to fertilize (an ovum) 2 to make pregnant 3 to fertilize (land); make fruitful 4 to fill or saturate; cause to be permeated {clothing impregnated with smoke} 5 to indoctrinate or imbue (with ideas, feelings, principles, etc.) •adj. impregnated SYN. SOAK im'preg·na´tion •n. im·preg´na'tor •n. [< LL impraegnatus, pp. of impraegnare, to make pregnant < L in-, in + praegnans, PREGNANT]

impresa (im prei´zä') •n. [Obs.] a device or emblem, usually with a motto [It: see IMPRESARIO]

impresario (im'prэ sä´ri: ou', -ser´-) pl. -ri·os •n. the organizer, manager, or director of an opera or ballet company, concert series, etc. [It < impresa, enterprise < imprendere, to undertake < VL *imprehendere: see EMPRISE]

imprescriptible (im'pri skrip´tэ bэl) •adj. 1 that cannot rightfully be taken away, lost, or revoked; inviolable 2 Law not subject to PRESCRIPTION (n. 5) im'pre·scrip´ti·bly •adv. [Fr: see IN-² & PRESCRIPTIBLE]

impress¹ (im pres´; for n. im´pres') •vt. 1 to force (a person) into public service, esp. into a navy 2 to levy, seize, or requisition (money, property, etc.) for public use •n. IMPRESSMENT [< IN-¹ + PRESS²]

impress² (im pres´; for n. im´pres') •vt. 1 to use pressure on so as to leave a mark {to impress clay with a die} 2 to mark by using pressure; stamp; imprint 3 to apply with pressure {to impress a die into clay} 4 a) to have a marked effect on the mind or emotions of b) to arouse the interest or approval of 5 to implant firmly in the mind or fix in the memory: with on or upon 6 Elec. to apply (a voltage or current) to a circuit or device, as from a generator •n. 1 the act of impressing 2 any mark, imprint, etc. made by pressure; stamp; impression 3 a distinctive quality or effect produced by some strong influence SYN. AFFECT¹ [ME impressen < L impressus, pp. of imprimere: see IMPRINT]

impressible (im pres´э bэl) •adj. that can be impressed; impressionable im·press'i·bil´i·ty •n. im·press´i·bly •adv. [ML impressibilis]

impression (im presh´эn) •n. 1 the act of impressing 2 a result or effect of impressing; specif., a) a mark, imprint, etc. made by physical pressure b) an effect produced, as on the mind or senses, by some force or influence c) the effect produced by any effort or activity {hard cleaning made little impression on the stain} 3 a notion, feeling, or recollection, esp. a vague one 4 a first or single coat of paint or color 5 an imitation or mimicking intended as a caricature or amusing impersonation 6 Dentistry a) the imprint of the teeth and surrounding tissues in wax, plaster, etc., used as a mold in making dentures b) the mold used to make an inlay 7 Printing a) the pressing or pressure of type or plates as on paper; printing b) a printed copy c) all the copies printed in a single operation from a set of unaltered type or plates SYN. IDEA im·pres´sion·al •adj. [ME impressioun < OFr impression < L impressio]

impressionable (im presh´эn э bэl) •adj. easily affected by impressions; esp., capable of being influenced intellectually, emotionally, or morally; sensitive im·pres'sion·a·bil´i·ty •n. im·pres´sion·a·bly •adv. [Fr]

impressionism (im presh´эn iz'эm) •n. [often I-] a theory and school of painting exemplified chiefly by Monet, Pissarro, and Sisley, but also by Manet, Renoir, etc., whose chief aim is to capture a momentary glimpse of a subject, esp. to reproduce the changing effects of light by applying paint to canvas in short strokes of pure color: the term has been extended to literature, as the fiction of Stephen Crane and Virginia Woolf and imagist poetry, and to music, as by Debussy and Ravel, which seeks to render impressions and moods by various characteristic devices [< Fr impressionisme, coined (1874) by Louis Leroy, Fr art critic, in adverse reaction to a Monet painting entitled Impression, sunrise]

impressionist (-ist) •n. 1 [often I-] a painter, writer, or composer who practices impressionism 2 an entertainer who does impressions, or impersonations •adj. [often I-] of impressionism or impressionists

impressionistic (im presh'эn is´tik) •adj. 1 IMPRESSIONIST 2 conveying a quick or overall impression im·pres'sion·is´ti·cal·ly •adv.

impressive (im pres´iv) •adj. having or tending to have a strong effect on the mind or emotions; eliciting wonder or admiration im·pres´sive·ly •adv. im·pres´sive·ness •n.

impressment (im pres´mэnt) •n. the practice or act of impressing men or property for the use or service of the public [IMPRESS¹ + -MENT]

impressure (im presh´эr) •n. [Archaic] IMPRESSION [IMPRESS² + -URE]

imprest (im´prest') •n. a loan or advance of money, as from government funds •adj. Accounting designating a fund, as of petty cash, that is replenished in exactly the amount expended from it [It impresto, a loan < (dare) in prestito, (to give) in loan < in, in + prestito, a loan < prestare, to lend < L praestare, to become surety for, lit., to stand before < prae-, before + stare, to STAND]

imprimatur (im'pri mät´эr, -meit´-) •n. 1 a) license or permission to publish or print a book, article, etc. b) R.C.Ch. such permission granted by a bishop 2 any sanction or approval [ModL, lit., let it be printed, 3d pers. sing., pres. subjunc. pass., of L imprimere: see IMPRINT]

imprimis (im pri:´mis, -prai´-) •adv. in the first place [ME inprimis < L in primis, lit., among the first < in, among + primis, abl. pl. of primus, first: see PRIME]

imprint (im print´; for n. im´print') •vt. 1 to mark by or as by pressing or stamping; impress {to imprint a paper with a seal} 2 to make (a mark or impression) by pressing 3 to press or apply {to imprint a kiss on the forehead} 4 to implant firmly in the mind or fix in the memory: with on {a sight imprinted forever on her memory} •n. 1 a mark made by imprinting 2 a lasting effect or characteristic result {the imprint of starvation} 3 a) a note on a book's title page or its reverse or at the end of the book, giving the publisher's or printer's name, time and place of publication, etc. b) the name of a publishing company {published under the imprint of Simon & Schuster} [ME emprenten < OFr empreinter < empreinte, an imprint < pp. of empreindre < L imprimere < in-, on + premere, to PRESS¹]

imprinting (im print´iŋ) •n. Psychol. a learning mechanism operating very early in the life of an animal, in which a particular stimulus immediately establishes an irreversible behavior pattern with reference to the same stimulus in the future

imprison (im priz´эn) •vt. 1 to put or keep in prison; jail 2 to restrict, limit, or confine in any way im·pris´on·ment •n.

improbable (im präb´э bэl) •adj. not probable; not likely to happen or be true; unlikely im'prob·a·bil´i·ty, pl. -ties, •n. im·prob´a·bly •adv. [L improbabilis]

improbity (im prou´bi ti:) pl. -ties •n. lack of probity; dishonesty [ME improbite < L improbitas]

impromptu (im prämp´tu:') •adj., adv. without preparation or advance thought; offhand •n. an impromptu speech, performance, etc. SYN.—impromptu is applied to that which is spoken, made, or done on the spur of the moment to suit the occasion and stresses spontaneity; extemporaneous, extempore (more commonly used as an adverb), and extemporary may express the same idea but are now more often used of a speech that has received some preparation, but has not been written out or memorized; improvised applies to something composed or devised without any preparation and, with reference to things other than music, suggests the ingenious use of whatever is at hand to fill an unforeseen and immediate need [Fr < L in promptu, in readiness < in, in + promptu, abl. of promptus, readiness < promptus, brought out, ready, PROMPT]

improper (im präp´эr) •adj. 1 not suitable for or consistent with the purpose or circumstances; poorly adapted; unfit 2 not in accordance with the truth, fact, or rule; wrong; incorrect 3 contrary to good taste or decency; indecorous 4 not normal or regular im·prop´er·ly •adv. im·prop´er·ness •n. SYN.—improper, the word of broadest application in this list, refers to anything that is not proper or suitable, esp. to that which does not conform to conventional standards; unseemly applies to that which is improper or inappropriate to the particular situation [her unseemly laughter at the funeral]; unbecoming applies to that which is inappropriate to a certain kind of person, his character, etc. [his rigid views are most unbecoming in a teacher]; indecorous refers to that which violates propriety or good taste in behavior, speech, etc. [his indecorous interruption of their chat]; indelicate implies a lack of propriety or tact and connotes immodesty or coarseness [an indelicate anecdote]; indecent is used of that which is regarded as highly offensive to morals or modesty [indecent exposure] —ANT. proper, decorous [OFr impropre < L improprius: see IN-² & PROPER]

improper fraction a fraction in which the denominator is less than the numerator (Ex.: 5/3)

impropriate (im prou´pri: eit'; for adj., usually, -it) -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. 1 to transfer (church income or property) to private individuals or corporations 2 [Obs.] to appropriate •adj. having been impropriated im·pro'pri·a´tion •n. im·pro´pri·a'tor •n. [< ML(Ec) impropriatus, pp. of ML impropriare, to take as one's own < L in, in + proprius, one's own]

impropriety (im'prou prai´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the quality of being improper 2 improper action or behavior 3 an improper or unacceptable use of a word or phrase (Ex.: borrow for lend): see also BARBARISM, SOLECISM [< MFr impropriété (or) < L improprietas: see IN-² & PROPRIETY]

improv (im´präv') [Colloq.] •n. 1 improvisation; specif., a skit or act in which the actors improvise a situation 2 the art or technique of doing such improvisations •adj. relating to or doing improvisation {an improv course, an improv theater}

improve (im pru:v´) -proved´, -prov´ing •vt. 1 [Now Rare] to use profitably or to good advantage {to improve one's leisure by studying} 2 to raise to a better quality or condition; make better Æ 3 to make (land or structures) more valuable by cultivation, construction, etc. •vi. to become better in quality or condition improve on (or upon) to do or make better than, as by additions or changes im·prov'a·bil´i·ty •n. im·prov´a·ble •adj. im·prov´er •n. SYN.—improve and better both imply a correcting or advancing of something that is not in itself necessarily bad, the former by supplying a lack or want [to improve a method] and the latter by seeking something more satisfying [he's left his job to better himself]; ameliorate implies a bad, oppressive, or intolerable condition to begin with [to ameliorate the lot of the poor] —ANT. worsen, impair [earlier improw < Anglo-Fr emprower < en-, in + prou, gain, advantage < LL prode, advantage (back-form. < L prodesse, to be of advantage): see PRO-² & IS]

improvement (im pru:v´mэnt) •n. 1 an improving or being improved; esp., a) betterment b) an increase in value or in excellence of quality or condition c) [Now Rare] profitable use 2 a) an addition or change that improves something b) a person or thing representing a higher degree of excellence 3 a change or addition to land or real property, as a sewer, fence, etc., to make it more valuable [Anglo-Fr emprowement]

improvident (im präv´э dэnt) •adj. failing to provide for the future; lacking foresight or thrift im·prov´i·dence •n. im·prov´i·dent·ly •adv. [< L improvidus < in-, not + providus, foreseeing, cautious + providere: see PROVIDE]

improvisation (im präv'i zei´shэn, im'prэ vi-) •n. 1 the act of improvising 2 something improvised im·prov'i·sa´tion·al •adj.

improvisatorial (im präv'i zэ tör´i: эl) •adj. of, or having the nature of, an improviser or improvisation Also im·pro·vi·sa·to·ry (im'prэ vai´zэ tör'i:)

improvise (im´prэ vaiz') -vised', -vis'ing •vt., vi. 1 to compose, or simultaneously compose and perform, on the spur of the moment and without any preparation; extemporize 2 a) to bring about, make, or do on the spur of the moment {to improvise a solution to a problem} b) to make, provide, or do with the tools and materials at hand, usually to fill an unforeseen and immediate need {to improvise a bed out of leaves} im´pro·vis'er, im´pro·vi'sor, or im·prov´i·sa'tor (-präv´i zeit'эr) •n. [Fr improviser < It improvvisare < improvviso, unprepared < L improvisus, unforeseen < in-, not + provisus, pp. of providere, to foresee, anticipate: see PROVIDE]

imprudent (im pru:d´ªnt) •adj. not prudent; without thought of the consequences; lacking in judgment or caution; rash; indiscreet im·pru´dence •n. im·pru´dent·ly •adv. [ME < L imprudens: see IN-² & PRUDENT]

impudence (im´pyu: dэns) •n. 1 the quality of being impudent 2 impudent speech or behavior: also im´pu·den·cy, pl. -cies [OFr < L impudentia]

impudent (im´pyu: dэnt) •adj. 1 orig., immodest; shameless 2 shamelessly bold or disrespectful; saucy; insolent SYN. IMPERTINENT im´pu·dent·ly •adv. [ME < L impudens < in-, not + pudens, modest, orig. prp. of pudere, to feel shame]

impudicity (im'pyu: dis´i ti:) •n. immodesty; shamelessness [Fr impudicité < LL *impudicitas, for L impudicitia < impudicus < in-, not + pudicus, modest]

impugn (im pyu:n´) •vt. 1 orig., to attack physically 2 to attack by argument or criticism; oppose or challenge as false or questionable SYN. DENY im·pugn´a·ble •adj. im·pug·na·tion (im'pэg nei´shэn) •n. im·pugn´er •n. [ME impugnen < OFr impugner < L impugnare < in-, on, against + pugnare, to fight: see PUGNACIOUS]

impuissance (im pyu:´i sэns, -pwis´эns; im'pyu: is´эns) •n. lack of power; weakness im·pu´is·sant •adj. [Fr: see IN-² & PUISSANCE]

impulse (im´pûls') •n. 1 a) an impelling, or driving forward with sudden force b) an impelling force; sudden, driving force; push; thrust; impetus c) the motion or effect caused by such a force 2 a) incitement to action arising from a state of mind or some external stimulus b) a sudden inclination to act, usually without premeditation c) a motive or tendency coming from within {prompted by an impulse of curiosity} 3 Elec. a momentary surge in one direction of voltage or current 4 Mech. the change in momentum effected by a force, measured by multiplying the average value of the force by the time during which it acts 5 Physiol. the progressive wave of excitation over a muscle or nerve fiber, which causes or inhibits activity in the body [L impulsus < pp. of impellere: see IMPEL]

impulse turbine a kind of turbine having rotor blades so shaped that the force of jets of fluid striking against the blades moves the wheel, without pressure drop occurring across the blades

impulsion (im pûl´shэn) •n. 1 an impelling or being impelled 2 an impelling force 3 movement or tendency to move resulting from this force; impetus 4 IMPULSE (sense 2) [L impulsio < impulsus, IMPULSE]

impulsive (im pûl´siv) •adj. 1 impelling; driving forward 2 a) acting or likely to act on impulse {an impulsive person} b) produced by or resulting from a sudden impulse {an impulsive remark} 3 Mech. acting briefly and as a result of impulse SYN. SPONTANEOUS im·pul´sive·ly •adv. im·pul´sive·ness •n. [< MFr or ML: MFr impulsif < ML impulsivus < L impulsus, IMPULSE]

impunity (im pyu:´ni ti:) •n. freedom or exemption from punishment, penalty, or harm SYN. EXEMPTION [Fr impunité < L impunitas < impunis, free from punishment < in-, without + poena, punishment: see PAIN]

impure (im pyur´) •adj. not pure; specif., a) unclean; dirty b) unclean according to religious ritual; defiled c) immoral; obscene; unchaste d) mixed with foreign matter; adulterated e) mixed so as to lack purity in color, tone, style, etc. f) characterized as by grammatical errors, unidiomatic usages, solecisms, barbarisms, foreign words or idioms, esp. when used inappropriately, etc. (said of language or speech) im·pure´ly •adv. im·pure´ness •n. [L impurus]

impurity (im pyur´э ti:) •n. 1 the state or quality of being impure 2 pl. -ties an impure thing or element [OFr impurité < L impuritas]

imputable (im pyu:t´э bэl) •adj. that can be imputed; ascribable im·put'a·bil´i·ty •n. im·put´a·bly •adv. [ML imputabilis]

impute (im pyu:t´) -put´ed, -put´ing •vt. 1 to attribute (esp. a fault or misconduct) to another; charge with; ascribe 2 Theol. to ascribe (goodness or guilt) to a person as coming from another SYN. ASCRIBE im'pu·ta´tion (-pyu: tei´shэn) •n. im·put´a·tive (-pyu:t´э tiv) •adj. [ME imputen < OFr imputer < L imputare < in-, in, to + putare, to estimate, think, orig., to prune, cleanse: see PURE]

impv imperative

IN Indiana In 1 Indiana 2 Chem. symbol for indium in (in; for unstressed prep. often эn) •prep. 1 contained or enclosed by; inside; within {in the room, in the envelope} 2 wearing; clothed by {to dress in furs} 3 during the course of {done in a day} 4 at, before, or after the end of {return in an hour} 5 perceptible to (one of the senses) {to be in sight} 6 limited by the scope of {in my opinion} 7 a) being a member of or worker at {to be in business} b) being a student at {she's in college} c) being an inmate of {to be in prison} 8 out of a group or set of {one in ten will fail} 9 amidst; surrounded by {in a storm} 10 affected by; having {to be in trouble} 11 engaged or occupied by {in a search for truth} 12 with regard to; as concerns {weak in faith, to vary in size} 13 so as to form {arranged in curls} 14 with; by; using {to paint in oil, written in English} 15 made of {done in wood} 16 because of; for {to cry in pain} 17 by way of {do this in my defense} 18 as a part of the capacity or function of; belonging to {he didn't have it in him to cheat} 19 into: into is generally preferred in this sense {come in the house} 20 living or located at {vacationing in Rome} In expresses inclusion with relation to space, place, time, state, circumstances, manner, quality, substance, a class, a whole, etc. •adv. 1 from a point outside to one inside {to invite visitors in} 2 to or toward a certain place or direction {he flies in today, they live ten miles in} 3 at or inside one's home, office, etc. {forced to stay in for a day} 4 a) so as to be contained by a certain space or condition b) so as to be in office or power 5 so as to be agreeing or involved {he fell in with our plans} 6 so as to form a part {mix in the cream} •adj. 1 that is successful or in power {the in group} 2 inner; inside 3 coming or going inside or inward {the in door, the in boat} 4 completed, gathered, counted, etc. {the votes are in} 5 [Colloq.] profiting to the extent of {to be in $100} 6 [Colloq.] currently smart, popular, fashionable, etc. {an in joke} •n. 1 a person, group, etc. that is in power, in office, or in a favored position: usually used in pl. Æ 2 [Colloq.] special influence or favor; pull •vt. inned, in´ning [Dial., Chiefly Brit.] 1 to collect; gather in {in the hay before it rains} 2 to enclose have it in for [Colloq.] to hold a grudge against in for certain to have or get (usually an unpleasant experience) in on having a share or part of ins and outs 1 all the complex physical details of a place 2 all the details and intricacies in that because; since in with associated with as a partner, friend, etc. [ME < OE, akin to Ger in < IE base *en- > Gr en, L in (OL en), OIr in, OSlav on-, Sans an-] in abbrev. inch(es)

in absentia (in æb sen´shэ, æb sen´shi: э) although not present {to receive a college degree in absentia} [L, lit., in absence]

in aeternum (in i: tør´nэm) forever [L, to eternity]

in camera (in kæm´эr э) 1 in a judge's private office rather than in open court 2 in closed session, as a committee meeting or hearing not open to the public; secretly [L, in chamber]

in esse (in es´i:) in being; in actual existence Opposed to IN POSSE [L]

in extenso (in eks ten´sou) at full length [L]

in extremis (in' eks tri:´mis) at the point of death [L, in extremity]

in flagrante delicto (in flэ græn´ti: di: lik´tou') 1 in the very act of committing the offense; red-handed 2 while engaged in sexual activity often, specif., illicit or perverse sexual activity: also in flagrante [L]

in forma pauperis (in för´mэ pö´pэ ris) as a poor person; i.e. without paying court costs [L, in the manner of a pauper]

in loc. cit. in the place cited [L in loco citato]

in loco parentis (in lou´kou' pэ ren´tis) in the place of a parent, or of a parent's authority [L]

in medias res (in mei´di: äs' res´) in the middle of the action rather than at the beginning, as in commencing an epic [L, into the midst of things]

in memoriam (in' me mör´i: äm', mэ mör´i: эm) in memory (of): put on tombstones, in obituary notices, etc. [L]

in perpetuum (in' per pet´u: um') forever [L]

in personam (in' pэr sou´næm') Law designating an action or judgment against a person, as distinguished from one against a thing, as property (in rem) [L, lit., against the person]

in petto (i:n pet´tô) secretly; not revealed: said of cardinals appointed by the pope but not named in consistory [It, in the breast]

in posse (in pä´si:) in possibility; only potentially Opposed to IN ESSE [L]

in propria persona (in prou´pri: э pэr sou´nэ) in one's own person or right [L]

in re (in ri:´, -rei´) in the matter (of); concerning [L]

in rem (in rêm´) Law designating an action or judgment against a thing, as property, as distinguished from one against a person (in personam) [L, lit., against the thing]

in saecula saeculorum (in sei´ku: lä' sei'ku: lou rum') for ever and ever; for eternity [L, into ages of ages]

in situ (in sai´tu:') in position; in its original place [L]

in statu quo (in stei´tu: kwou´, -stä´-) in the existing, or same, condition [L, in the state in which]

in toto (in tou´tou) in the whole; as a whole [L]

in utero (in yu:t´эr ou) in the uterus; unborn [L]

in vacuo (in væk´yu: ou') in a vacuum [L]

in vino veritas (in vai´nou ver´i tæs') in wine there is truth: a quotation from Pliny the Elder [L]

in vitro (in vi:´trou', -vi´-) isolated from the living organism and artificially maintained, as in a test tube [L, lit., in glass]

in vivo (in vai´vou, in vi:´-) occurring within the living organism [L, lit., in one that is living]

-in¹ (in) suffix forming nouns 1 a neutral carbohydrate {inulin} 2 a glycoside {amygdalin} 3 a protein {albumin} 4 a glyceride {palmitin} 5 an enzyme {rennin} 6 an antibiotic {streptomycin} 7 an alkaloid or a nitrogenous base {codein}: an infrequent variant of -INE³ 8 a pharmaceutical preparation {chrysarobin} 9 a commercial product, material, or mixture {algin} 10 an antigen {tuberculin} Cf. -INE³ [see -INE³]

in-¹ (in) prefix in, into, within, on, toward: also used as an intensifier in some words of Latin origin [inbreed, infer, induct; instigate] It becomes il- before l; im- before b, n, or p; and ir- before r [< the prep. in-; also ME < OE inn & MFr in- or OFr en- < L in- < in: see IN]

-in² (in) combining form any of various mass actions or gatherings of a (specified) type, as a political demonstration or a form of entertainment {pray-in, be-in}

in-² (in) prefix no, not, without, NON- {insignificant} It becomes il- before l; im- before b, m, or p; and ir- before r [ME < OFr & ML < L < IE *n-, initial negative particle, var. of *ne, *nē- > NO¹, L ne-]

-ina (i:´nэ) suffix forming feminine names, titles, occupational designations, etc. {Christina, czarina, ballerina} [L, fem. of -inus]

inability (in'э bil´i ti:) •n. the quality or state of being unable; lack of ability, capacity, means, or power [ME inabilite: see IN-² & ABILITY]

inaccessible (in'æk ses´э bэl) •adj. not accessible; specif., a) impossible to reach or enter b) that cannot be seen, talked to, influenced, etc.; inapproachable c) not obtainable in'ac·ces'si·bil´i·ty •n. in'ac·ces´si·bly •adv. [Fr < LL inaccessibilis]

inaccuracy (in æk´yэr э si:) •n. 1 the quality of being inaccurate; lack of accuracy 2 pl. -cies something inaccurate; error; mistake

inaccurate (in æk´yэr it) •adj. not accurate; not correct; not exact; in error in·ac´cu·rate·ly •adv.

inaction (in æk´shэn) •n. absence of action or motion; inertness or idleness

inactivate (in æk´tэ veit') -vat'ed, -vat'ing •vt. 1 to make inactive 2 Biochem. to destroy the activity of (a substance) by heat, pH, etc. in·ac'ti·va´tion •n.

inactive (in æk´tiv) •adj. 1 not active or moving; inert 2 not inclined to act; idle; dull; sluggish 3 not in use or force; not functioning 4 not in active service in the armed forces 5 not affecting the plane of polarized light: said of some isomers of certain optically active crystalline substances in·ac´tive·ly •adv. in'ac·tiv´i·ty •n.

inadequacy (in æd´i kwэ si:) pl. -cies •n. quality, state, or instance of being inadequate

inadequate (in æd´i kwэt) •adj. not adequate; not sufficient; not equal to what is required in·ad´e·quate·ly •adv. in·ad´e·quate·ness •n.

inadmissible (in'æd mis´э bэl, -эd-) •adj. not admissible; not to be allowed, accepted, granted, or conceded in'ad·mis'si·bil´i·ty •n. in'ad·mis´si·bly •adv.

inadvertence (in'æd vørt´ªns, -эd-) •n. 1 the quality of being inadvertent 2 an instance of this; oversight; mistake Also in'ad·vert´en·cy, pl. -cies [ML inadvertentia: see IN-² & ADVERTENCE]

inadvertent (in'æd vørt´ªnt, -эd-) •adj. 1 not attentive or observant; heedless 2 due to oversight; unintentional in'ad·vert´ent·ly •adv. [prob. back-form. < prec.]

inadvisable (in'æd vai´zэ bэl, -эd-) •adj. not advisable; not wise or prudent in'ad·vis'a·bil´i·ty •n.

-inae (ai´ ni:) suffix forming the scientific names of zoological subfamilies {Ardeinae is the name of a heron subfamily} [ModL, fem. pl. of adj. in -inus (in agreement with understood bestiae, animals) < L]

inalienable (in eil´yэn э bэl) •adj. that may not be taken away or transferred {inalienable rights} in·al'ien·a·bil´i·ty •n. in·al´ien·a·bly •adv. [Fr inaliénable: see IN-² & ALIENABLE]

inalterable (in öl´tэr э bэl) •adj. that cannot be altered; unchangeable in·al'ter·a·bil´i·ty •n. in·al´ter·a·bly •adv. [ML inalterabilis]

inamorata (in æm'э rät´э, -reit´э) •n. a woman in relation to the person who loves her; sweetheart or lover [It, fem. of in(n)amorato, lover, orig. pp. of in(n)amorare, to fall in love < in- (see IN-¹) + amore < L amor, love]

in-and-in (in´эnd in´) •adj., adv. repeatedly with individuals of the same or closely related stocks {in-and-in breeding}

inane (in ein´) •adj. 1 empty; vacant 2 lacking sense or meaning; foolish; silly •n. that which is inane; esp., the void of infinite space in·ane´ly •adv. [L inanis]

inanimate (in æn´э mit) •adj. 1 not animate; not endowed with (animal) life 2 not animated; dull; spiritless SYN. DEAD in·an´i·mate·ly •adv. in·an´i·mate·ness or in·an'i·ma´tion •n. [LL inanimatus]

inanition (in'э nish´эn) •n. emptiness; specif., a) exhaustion from lack of food or an inability to assimilate it b) lack of strength or spirit [ME inanicioun < OFr inanition < LL inanitio < L inanitus, pp. of inanire, to empty < inanis, inane]

inanity (in æn´i ti:) •n. 1 the quality or condition of being inane; specif., a) emptiness b) lack of sense or meaning; silliness 2 pl. -ties something inane; senseless or silly act, remark, etc. [Fr inanité < L inanitas, emptiness]

inapparent (in'э per´эnt) •adj. not apparent

inappeasable (in'э pi:´zэ bэl) •adj. not to be appeased

inappetence (in æp´э tэns) •n. lack of appetite or desire Also in·ap´pe·ten·cy in·ap´pe·tent •adj. [IN-² + APPETENCE]

inapplicable (in æp´li kэ bэl) •adj. not applicable; not suitable; inappropriate in'ap·pli·ca·bil´i·ty •n. in·ap´pli·ca·bly •adv.

inapposite (in æp´э zit) •adj. not apposite; irrelevant in·ap´po·site·ly •adv. in·ap´po·site·ness •n.

inappreciable (in'э pri:´shэ bэl, -shi: э bэl) •adj. too small to be observed or have any value; negligible in'ap·pre´ci·a·bly •adv. [IN-² + APPRECIABLE]

inappreciative (in'э pri:´shэ tiv) •adj. not feeling or showing appreciation in'ap·pre´ci·a·tive·ly •adv. in'ap·pre´ci·a·tive·ness •n.

inapprehensible (in'æp' ri: hen´sэ bэl) •adj. that cannot be apprehended, or understood

inapprehension (-hen´shэn) •n. lack of apprehension

inapprehensive (in'æp'ri: hen´siv) •adj. 1 lacking the ability to apprehend, or understand 2 not perceiving danger, trouble, etc. in'ap'pre·hen´sive·ly •adv.

inapproachable (in'э prou´chэ bэl) •adj. that cannot be approached in'ap·proach'a·bil´i·ty •n.

inappropriate (in'э prou´pri: it) •adj. not appropriate; not suitable, fitting, or proper in'ap·pro´pri·ate·ly •adv. in'ap·pro´pri·ate·ness •n.

inapt (in æpt´) •adj. 1 not apt; not suitable; inappropriate 2 lacking skill or aptitude; inept in·apt´i·tude' (-æp´tэ tu:d', -tyu:d') •n. in·apt´ly •adv. in·apt´ness •n.

inarch (in ärch´) •vt. to graft (a plant) by uniting a shoot to another plant while both are growing on their own roots [IN-¹ + ARCH¹, v.]

inarticulate (in'är tik´yu: lit, -yэ-) •adj. 1 produced without the normal articulation of understandable speech: said of vocal sounds {an inarticulate cry} 2 a) not able to speak, as because of strong emotion; mute b) not able to speak understandably, effectively, or coherently 3 not expressed or able to be expressed {inarticulate passion} 4 Zool. without joints, segments, hinges, or valves in'ar·tic´u·late·ly •adv. in'ar·tic´u·late·ness •n. [LL inarticulatus: see IN-² & ARTICULATE]

inartificial (in'är tэ fish´эl) •adj. [Now Rare] 1 not artificial; natural 2 inartistic; unskillful 3 unaffected; simple

inartistic (in'är tis´tik) •adj. not artistic; specif., a) not conforming to the standards or principles of art b) lacking artistic taste or skill in'ar·tis´ti·cal·ly •adv.

inasmuch as (in'эz mûch´ æz') 1 seeing that; since; because 2 to the extent that

inattention (in'э ten´shэn) •n. failure to pay attention; heedlessness; negligence

inattentive (in'э ten´tiv) •adj. not attentive; heedless; negligent SYN. ABSENT-MINDED in'at·ten´tive·ly •adv. in'at·ten´tive·ness •n.

inaudible (in öd´э bэl) •adj. not audible; that cannot be heard in'au'di·bil´i·ty •n. in·au´di·bly •adv. [LL inaudibilis]

inaugural (in ö´gyu rэl; -gyэ-, -gэ-) •adj. 1 of an inauguration 2 that begins a series; first •n. Æ 1 a speech made at an inauguration Æ 2 an inauguration [Fr]

inaugurate (in ö´gyu reit'; -gyэ-, -gэ-) -rat'ed, -rat'ing •vt. 1 to induct (an official) into office with a formal ceremony 2 to make a formal beginning of; start {to inaugurate a new policy} 3 to celebrate formally the first public use of; dedicate {to inaugurate a new library} SYN. BEGIN in·au'gu·ra´tion •n. in·au´gu·ra'tor •n. [< L inauguratus, pp. of inaugurare, to practice augury: see IN-¹ & AUGUR]

Inauguration Day the day on which a president of the U.S. is inaugurated: Jan. 20 (before 1934, March 4) of the year following the election

inauspicious (in'ö spish´эs) •adj. not auspicious; unfavorable; unlucky; ill-omened in'aus·pi´cious·ly •adv. in'aus·pi´cious·ness •n.

inauthentic (in'ö θen´tik) •adj. not authentic

inbeing (in´bi:´iŋ) •n. 1 inherent existence 2 basic nature; essence

inboard (in´börd') •adv., adj. 1 inside the hull or bulwarks of, or toward the center of, a ship or boat 2 close or closer to the fuselage or hull of an aircraft 3 Mech. toward the inside •n. a boat with the motor mounted inboard [< in board: see BOARD]

inborn (in´börn') •adj. 1 present in the organism at birth; innate; not acquired 2 hereditary; inherited SYN. INNATE [OE inboren]

inbound (-baund') •adj. 1 traveling or going inward 2 Basketball INBOUNDS •vt., vi. Basketball to put (the ball) in play onto the court from out of bounds

inbounds (in´baundz') •adj. Basketball of or relating to putting the ball in play onto the court from out of bounds {an inbounds pass}

inbounds line Football either of two lines (appearing as hash marks) extending along the field inside and parallel to the sidelines: see HASH MARK

inbreathe (in´bri:ð´) -breathed´, -breath´ing •vt. 1 [Rare] to inhale 2 to inspire [ME inbrethen (see IN-¹ & BREATHE), after L inspirare]

inbred (in´bred') •adj. 1 innate or deeply instilled 2 bred from closely related parents; resulting from inbreeding SYN. INNATE [pp. of fol.]

inbreed (in´bri:d') -bred', -breed'ing •vt. 1 [Rare] to form or develop within 2 to breed by continual mating of individuals of the same or closely related stocks •vi. 1 to engage in such breeding 2 to become too refined, effete, etc. as the result of arbitrarily narrow social or cultural association in´breed'ing •n.

inc 1 inclosure 2 including 3 inclusive 4 income 5 incorporated: also Æ Inc. 6 increase

Inca (iŋ´kэ) •n. 1 a member of a group of Quechuan or related Indian tribes that dominated ancient Peru until the Spanish conquest: the Incas had a highly developed civilization 2 a ruler or member of the ruling family of these tribes; specif., the emperor In´can •adj. [Sp Quechua, prince of the royal family]

incalculable (in kæl´kyu: lэ bэl, -kyэ-) •adj. 1 that cannot be calculated; too great or too many to be counted 2 too uncertain to be counted on; unpredictable in·cal'cu·la·bil´i·ty •n. in·cal´cu·la·bly •adv.

incalescent (in'kэ les´эnt) •adj. [Rare] becoming hotter in'ca·les´cence •n. [L incalescens: see IN-¹ & CALESCENT]

incandesce (in'kэn des´) -desced´, -desc´ing •vi., vt. to become or make incandescent [L incandescere]

incandescent (in'kэn des´эnt) •adj. 1 glowing with intense heat; red-hot or, esp., white-hot 2 very bright; shining brilliantly; gleaming in'can·des´cence •n. in'can·des´cent·ly •adv. [L incandescens, prp. of incandescere: see IN-¹ & CANDESCENT]

incandescent lamp a lamp in which the light is produced by a filament of conducting material contained in a vacuum and heated to incandescence by an electric current

incantation (in'kæn tei´shэn, -kэn-) •n. 1 the chanting of magical words or formulas that are supposed to cast a spell or perform other magic 2 words or a formula so chanted in'can·ta´tion·al •adj. in·can´ta·to'ry (-kæn´tэ tör'i:) •adj. [ME incantacion < OFr incantation < LL incantatio < pp. of L incantare < in- (intens.) + cantare: see CHANT]

incapable (in kei´pэ bэl) •adj. not capable; specif., a) lacking the necessary ability, competence, strength, etc. b) not legally qualified or eligible incapable of 1 not allowing or admitting; not able to accept or experience {incapable of change} 2 lacking the ability or fitness for {incapable of sustained thought} 3 not legally qualified for in'ca·pa·bil´i·ty or in·ca´pa·ble·ness •n. in·ca´pa·bly •adv. [LL incapabilis]

incapacious (in'kэ pei´shэs) •adj. 1 [Rare] not capacious or able to hold much 2 [Archaic] mentally deficient [< LL incapax, incapable + -IOUS]

incapacitate (in'kэ pæs´э teit') -tat'ed, -tat'ing •vt. 1 to make unable or unfit; esp., to make incapable of normal activity; disable 2 Law to make ineligible; disqualify in'ca·pac'i·ta´tion •n. [fol. + -ATE¹]

incapacity (in'kэ pæs´i ti:) •n. 1 lack of capacity, power, or fitness; disability 2 legal ineligibility or disqualification [Fr incapacité < ML incapacitas]

Incaparina (in kæp'э ri:´nэ) •n. a low-cost protein food made of cottonseed, corn, and sorghum flours, yeast, etc. and used, esp. in Latin America, in preventing protein deficiency disease [INCAP (acronym for Institute of Nutrition in Central America and Panama) + (F)ARINA]

incapsulate (in kæp´sэ leit') -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vt. ENCAPSULATE

incarcerate (in kär´sэr eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. 1 to imprison; jail 2 to shut up; confine in·car'cer·a´tion •n. in·car´cer·a'tor •n. [< ML incarceratus, pp. of incarcerare, to imprison < L in, in + carcer, prison]

incardinate (in kär´dэ neit', -kärd´ªn eit') -nat'ed, -nat'ing •vt. R.C.Ch. to attach (a cleric) to a particular diocese in·car'di·na´tion •n. [< pp. of ML incardinare: see IN-¹ & CARDINAL]

incarnadine (in kär´nэ dain', -din, -di:n') •adj. 1 flesh-colored; pink 2 red; esp., blood-red •n. the color of either flesh or blood •vt. -dined', -din'ing to make incarnadine [Fr incarnadin < It incarnatino < incarnato < LL(Ec) incarnatus: see INCARNATE]

incarnate (for adj. in kär´nit, -neit'; for v., -neit') •adj. 1 endowed with a body, esp. a human body; in bodily form 2 being a living example of; personified {evil incarnate} 3 a) flesh-colored; pink b) red; rosy •vt. -nat'ed, -nat'ing 1 to provide with flesh or a body; embody 2 to give actual form to; make real 3 to be the type or embodiment of {to incarnate the frontier spirit} [ME < LL(Ec) incarnatus, pp. of incarnari, to be made flesh < L in-, in + caro (gen. carnis), flesh: see CARNAL]

incarnation (in'kär nei´shэn) •n. 1 a) endowment with a human body; appearance in human form b) [I-] Christian Theol. effectuation of the hypostatic union through the conception of the second person of the Trinity in the womb of the Virgin Mary (see HYPOSTASIS, sense 4c) 2 any person or animal serving as the embodiment of a god or spirit 3 any person or thing serving as the type or embodiment of a quality or concept {the incarnation of courage} [ME incarnacion < OFr incarnatiun < LL(Ec) incarnatio < pp. of incarnari: see INCARNATE]

incase (in keis´) -cased´, -cas´ing •vt. ENCASE

incaution (in kö´shэn) •n. lack of caution

incautious (in kö´shэs) •adj. not cautious; not careful or prudent; reckless; rash in·cau´tious·ly •adv. in·cau´tious·ness •n.

incendiary (in sen´di: er'i:; also, -di: эr i:) •adj. 1 having to do with the willful destruction of property by fire 2 causing or designed to cause fires, as certain substances, bombs, etc. 3 willfully stirring up strife, riot, rebellion, etc. •n. pl. -ar'ies 1 a person who willfully destroys property by fire 2 a person who willfully stirs up strife, riot, rebellion, etc. 3 an incendiary bomb, substance, etc. in·cen´di·a·rism' (-di: э riz'эm) •n. [L incendiarius, setting on fire, an incendiary < incendium, a fire < incendere: see INCENSE1]

incense cedar a large, W North American tree (Calocedrus decurrens) of the cypress family with reddish bark and flattened, scalelike leaves

incense¹ (in´sens') •n. 1 any of various substances, as gums or resins, producing a pleasant odor when burned: used in some religious ceremonies 2 the smoke or fragrance from such a substance 3 any pleasant odor 4 pleasing attention, praise, or admiration •vt. -censed', -cens'ing 1 to make fragrant with or as with incense; perfume 2 to burn or offer incense to •vi. to burn incense [ME encens < OFr < LL incensum, incense < neut. of L incensus, pp. of incendere, to kindle, inflame < in-, in, on + candere, to burn, shine: see CANDESCENT]

incense² (in sens´) -censed´, -cens´ing •vt. to make very angry; fill with wrath; enrage in·cense´ment •n. [ME encensen < OFr incenser < L incensus: see INCENSE1]

incentive (in sent´iv) •adj. stimulating one to take action, work harder, etc.; encouraging; motivating •n. something that stimulates one to take action, work harder, etc.; stimulus; encouragement [ME < LL incentivum < neut. pp. of L incinere, to sing < in-, in, on + canere, to sing: see CHANT]

incept (in sept´) •vt. 1 [Obs.] to begin or undertake 2 to take in; receive; specif., to ingest (food particles) •vi. [Brit. Historical] to receive a master's or doctor's degree at a university [L inceptare, to begin, freq. of incipere: see INCIPIENT]

inception (in sep´shэn) •n. the beginning of something; start; commencement SYN. ORIGIN [L inceptio < inceptus, pp. of incipere: see INCIPIENT]

inceptive (in sep´tiv) •adj. 1 beginning; introductory; initial 2 Gram. expressing the beginning of an action •n. an inceptive verb or form, as in Latin in·cep´tive·ly •adv. [OFr inceptif < LL inceptivus < L inceptus: see INCEPTION]

incertitude (in sørt´э tu:d', -tyu:d') •n. 1 an uncertain state of mind; doubt 2 an uncertain state of affairs; insecurity [Fr < ML incertitudo: see IN-² + CERTITUDE]

incessant (in ses´эnt) •adj. never ceasing; continuing or being repeated without stopping or in a way that seems endless; constant SYN. CONTINUAL in·ces´san·cy or in·ces´sant·ness •n. in·ces´sant·ly •adv. [Early ModE < LL incessans < L in-, not + cessans, prp. of cessare, to CEASE]

incest (in´sest') •n. sexual intercourse between persons too closely related to marry legally [ME < L incestum, moral sin, incest, neut. of incestus, unchaste < in-, not + castus, chaste: see CASTE]

incestuous (in ses´tyu: эs, -chu:-) •adj. 1 guilty of incest 2 of, or having the nature of, incest 3 like incest in being too closely involved in·ces´tu·ous·ly •adv. in·ces´tu·ous·ness •n. [LL incestuosus]

inch¹ (inch) •n. 1 a unit of linear measure equal to ¹/12 foot (2.54 centimeters): symbol, " (e.g., 10"): abbrev. in 2 a fall (of rain, snow, etc.) equal to the amount that would cover a surface to the depth of one inch 3 a unit of pressure as measured by a barometer or manometer, equal to the pressure balanced by the weight on a one-inch column of liquid, usually mercury, in the instrument 4 a very small amount, degree, or distance; trifle; bit •vt., vi. to move by inches or degrees; move very slowly every inch in all respects; thoroughly inch by inch gradually; slowly; by degrees: also by inches within an inch of very close to; almost to within an inch of one's life almost to one's death [ME inche < OE ynce < L uncia, twelfth part, inch, OUNCE¹]

inch² (inch) •n. in Scotland and Ireland, an isolated piece of land, as a small island or hill [ME < Gael innis, island]

inchmeal (inch´mi:l') •adv. gradually; inch by inch Also by inchmeal [INCH¹ + -MEAL]

inchoate (in kou´it, -eit') •adj. 1 just begun; in the early stages; incipient; rudimentary 2 not yet clearly or completely formed or organized; disordered 3 Law not yet completed or made effective; pending in·cho´ate·ly •adv. in·cho´ate·ness •n. [L inchoatus, incohatus, pp. of inchoare, incohare, to begin, orig. rural term hitch up, harness < in-, in + cohum, the strap from plow beam to yoke < IE base *kagh-, to hold, enclose > HEDGE]

inchoation (in'kou ei´shэn) •n. a beginning; early stage [L incohatio: see INCHOATE]

inchoative (in kou´э tiv) •adj. 1 [Rare] INCHOATE (sense 1) 2 Gram. expressing the beginning of an action; inceptive, as, in English, through the use of the auxiliary get (Ex.: we got going early) •n. an inchoative verb or phrase [LL incohativus]

Inchon (in´chän´) seaport in NW South Korea, on the Yellow Sea: pop. 1,295,000

inchworm (inch´wørm') •n. MEASURING WORM

incidence (in´sэ dэns) •n. 1 the act, fact, or manner of falling upon or influencing 2 the degree or range of occurrence or effect; extent of influence 3 Geom. partial coincidence between two figures, as of a line and a point contained in it 4 Physics a) the falling of a line, or a ray of light, projectile, etc. moving in a line, on a surface b) the direction of such falling See also ANGLE OF INCIDENCE [ME (North) < OFr < LL incidentia]

incident (in´sэ dэnt) •adj. 1 likely to happen as a result or concomitant; incidental (to) {the cares incident to parenthood} 2 falling upon, striking, or affecting {incident rays} 3 Law dependent upon or involved in something else •n. [ME incydente] 1 something that happens; happening; occurrence 2 something that happens as a result of or in connection with something more important; minor event or episode, esp. one in a novel, play, etc. 3 a) an apparently minor conflict, disturbance, etc., as between persons, states, etc., that may have serious results b) a minor public disturbance, fracas, etc. 4 Law something incident to something else SYN. OCCURRENCE [OFr < ML < prp. of L incidere, to fall upon < in-, on + cadere, to fall: see CASE¹]

incidental (in'sэ dent´ªl) •adj. 1 a) happening as a result of or in connection with something more important; casual {incidental benefits} b) likely to happen as a result or concomitant (with to) {troubles incidental to divorce} 2 secondary or minor, but usually associated {incidental expenses} •n. 1 something incidental 2 [pl.] miscellaneous or minor items or expenses SYN. ACCIDENTAL [ML incidentalis]

incidental music music played in connection with the presentation of a play, motion picture, poem, etc. in order to heighten the mood or effect on the audience

incidentally (in'sэ dent´ªl i:; often, -dent´li:) •adv. 1 in an incidental manner; as something less important but associated 2 as a new but related point; by the way

incinerate (in sin´эr eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vt., vi. to burn to ashes; burn up; cremate in·cin'er·a´tion •n. [< ML incineratus, pp. of incinerare, to burn to ashes < L in, in, to + cinis (gen. cineris), ashes < IE *kenis < base *ken-, to scratch, rub > Gr konis, dust, ashes]

incinerator (-эr eit'эr) •n. a person or thing that incinerates; esp., a furnace or other device for incinerating trash

incipient (in sip´i: ent) •adj. in the first stage of existence; just beginning to exist or to come to notice {an incipient illness} in·cip´i·ence or in·cip´i·en·cy •n. in·cip´i·ent·ly •adv. [L incipiens, prp. of incipere, to begin, lit., take up < in-, in, on + capere, to take: see HAVE]

incipit (in´si pit') (here) begins; a word sometimes placed at the beginning of medieval manuscripts [L]

incise (in saiz´) -cised´, -cis´ing •vt. to cut into with a sharp tool; specif., to cut (designs, inscriptions, etc.) into (a surface); engrave; carve [Fr inciser < L incisus, pp. of incidere, to cut into < in-, into + caedere, to cut: see -CIDE]

incised (-saizd´) •adj. 1 a) cut into b) engraved or carved c) made by cutting into with a sharp tool 2 having the edges deeply notched, as a leaf

incision (in sizh´эn) •n. 1 the act or result of incising; cut; gash 2 incisive quality 3 a deep notch, as in the edge of a leaf 4 Surgery a cut made into a tissue or organ [OFr < L incisio]

incisive (in sai´siv) •adj. 1 cutting into 2 sharp; keen; penetrating; acute {an incisive mind} 3 of the incisors in·ci´sive·ly •adv. in·ci´sive·ness •n. SYN.—incisive is applied to speech or writing that seems to penetrate directly to the heart of the matter, resulting in a clear and unambiguous statement [an incisive criticism]; trenchant implies clean-cut expression that results in sharply defined categories, differences, etc. [a trenchant analysis]; cutting implies incisive qualities but also connotes such harshness or sarcasm as to hurt the feelings [his cutting allusion to her inefficiency]; biting implies a caustic or stinging quality that makes a deep impression on the mind [his biting satire] [ML incisivus < L incisus: see INCISE]

incisor (in sai´zэr) •n. a cutting tooth; any of the front teeth between the canines in either jaw: in humans there are eight incisors: see TEETH, illus. [ModL < L incisus (see INCISE) + -OR]

incite (in sait´) -cit´ed, -cit´ing •vt. to urge to action; stir up; rouse in·cite´ment or in·ci·ta·tion (in'sэ tei´shэn, -sai-) •n. in·cit´er •n. SYN.—incite implies an urging or stimulating to action, either in a favorable or unfavorable sense [incited to achievement by rivalry]; instigate always implies responsibility for initiating the action and usually connotes a bad or evil purpose [who instigated the assassination?]; arouse, in this connection, means little more than a bringing into being or action [it aroused my suspicions]; foment suggests continued incitement over an extended period of time [the unjust taxes fomented rebellion] —ANT. restrain, inhibit [ME inciten < OFr inciter < L incitare < in-, in, on + citare, to set in motion, urge: see CITE]

incivility (in'sэ vil´i ti:) •n. 1 a lack of courtesy or politeness; rudeness 2 pl. -ties a rude or discourteous act [Fr incivilité < LL incivilitas < L incivilis, impolite: see IN-² & CIVIL]

incl 1 inclosure 2 including 3 inclusive

inclement (in klem´эnt) •adj. 1 rough; severe; stormy {inclement weather} 2 lacking mercy or leniency; harsh in·clem´en·cy, pl. -cies, •n. in·clem´ent·ly •adv. [L inclemens: see IN-² & CLEMENT]

inclinable (in klain´э bэl) •adj. 1 a) having an inclination or tendency b) favorably disposed 2 that can be inclined

inclination (in'klэ nei´shэn) •n. 1 the act of bending, leaning, or sloping; esp., a bowing or nodding 2 an inclined surface or plane; slope; incline; slant 3 the extent or degree of incline from a horizontal or vertical position, course, etc. 4 the difference in direction of two lines, planes, or surfaces as measured by the angle between them; specif., a property of a line in a plane, being the angle measured from the positive portion of the x-axis to the line in question 5 a) a particular disposition or bent of mind; bias; tendency {an inclination to talk} b) a liking or preference 6 any action, practice, or thing, toward which one is inclined in'cli·na´tion·al •adj. SYN.—inclination refers to a more or less vague mental disposition toward some action, practice, or thing [he had an inclination to refuse]; leaning suggests a general inclination toward something but implies only the direction of attraction and not the final choice [Dr. Green had always had a leaning toward the study of law]; bent and propensity imply a natural or inherent inclination, the latter also connoting an almost uncontrollable attraction [she has a bent for art, he has a propensity for getting into trouble]; proclivity usually suggests strong inclination as a result of habitual indulgence, usually toward something bad or wrong [a proclivity to falsehood] [OFr < L inclinatio < pp. of inclinare, fol.]

incline (in klain´; for n., usually in´klain') -clined´, -clin´ing •vi. 1 to deviate from a horizontal or vertical position, course, etc.; lean; slope; slant 2 to bend or bow the body or head 3 a) to have a particular disposition or bent of mind, will, etc. b) to have a tendency 4 to have a preference or liking •vt. 1 to cause to lean, slope, slant, etc.; bend 2 to bend or bow (the body or head) 3 to give a tendency to; make willing; dispose; influence •n. an inclined plane or surface; slope; grade; slant incline one's ear to pay heed; listen willingly in·clin´er •n. [ME enclinen < OFr encliner < L inclinare < in-, on, to + clinare, to LEAN¹]

inclined (in klaind´) •adj. 1 having an inclination; specif., a) at or on a slant; sloping; leaning b) disposed; willing; tending 2 forming an angle with another line, plane, or body

inclined plane a plane surface set at any angle other than a right angle against a horizontal surface: it is a simple machine that increases mechanical advantage but requires a longer working distance See picture in next column

inclinometer (in'klэ näm´эt эr, -klai-) •n. 1 DIP NEEDLE 2 CLINOMETER 3 an instrument that measures the inclination of an axis of an airplane or ship in relation to the horizontal [< INCLINE + -O- + -METER]

inclose (in klouz´) -closed´, -clos´ing •vt. ENCLOSE

inclosure (in klou´zhэr) •n. ENCLOSURE

include (in klu:d´) -clud´ed, -clud´ing •vt. 1 to shut up or in; enclose 2 to have as part of a whole; contain; comprise {the cost includes taxes} 3 to consider as part of a whole; take into account; put in a total, category, etc. {to be included as a candidate} in·clud´a·ble or in·clud´i·ble •adj. SYN.—include implies a containing as part of a whole; comprise, in discriminating use, means to consist of and takes as its object the various parts that make up the whole [his library comprises 2,000 volumes and includes many first editions]; comprehend suggests that the object is contained within the total scope or range of the subject, sometimes by implication [the word beauty comprehends various concepts]; embrace stresses the variety of objects comprehended [he had embraced a number of hobbies]; involve implies inclusion of an object because of its connection with the subject as a consequence or antecedent [acceptance of the office involves responsibilities] —ANT. exclude [ME includen < L includere < in-, in + claudere, to shut, CLOSE¹]

included (-id) •adj. 1 enclosed, contained, or involved 2 with stamens and pistils wholly contained within the petals, sheath, etc.

inclusion (in klu:´zhэn) •n. 1 an including or being included 2 something included; specif., a) a solid, liquid, or gaseous foreign substance encased in mineral or rock b) Biol. a separate body, as a grain of starch, within the protoplasm of a cell [L inclusio < inclusus, pp. of includere: see INCLUDE]

inclusion body any of various small particles of nonliving or foreign material occurring in body cells, as a pigment or secretion granule, a microsome, or a virus

inclusive (in klu:´siv; also, -ziv) •adj. 1 including or tending to include; esp., taking everything into account; reckoning everything 2 including the terms, limits, or extremes mentioned {ten days, from the third to the twelfth inclusive} inclusive of including; taking into account in·clu´sive·ly •adv. in·clu´sive·ness •n. [LL inclusivus < L inclusus, pp. of includere]

incoercible (in'kou ør´sэ bэl) •adj. that cannot be coerced

incogitable (in käj´i tэ bэl) •adj. [Rare] unthinkable; inconceivable [L incogitabilis: see IN-² & COGITABLE]

incogitant (in käj´i tэnt) •adj. [Rare] unthinking; thoughtless [L incogitans < in-, not + cogitans, prp. of cogitare, to COGITATE]

incognito (in käg´ni tou'; widely in'käg ni:´-) •adv., adj. with true identity unrevealed or disguised; under an assumed name, rank, etc. •n. pl. -tos' 1 a person who is incognito 2 a) the state of being incognito b) the disguise assumed SYN. PSEUDONYM in·cog´ni·ta (-ni tэ), pl. -tas, •n.fem., adj., adv. [It < L incognitus, unknown < in-, not + cognitus: see COGNITION]

incognizant (in käg´nэ zэnt, -kän´э-) •adj. not cognizant (of); unaware (of) in·cog´ni·zance •n.

incoherence (in'kou hir´эns; also, -her´-) •n. 1 lack of coherence; the quality or state of being incoherent 2 incoherent speech, thought, etc. Also in'co·her´en·cy, pl. -cies

incoherent (in'kou hir´эnt; also, -her´-) •adj. not coherent; specif., a) lacking cohesion; not sticking together b) not logically connected; disjointed; rambling c) characterized by incoherent speech, thought, etc. in'co·her´ent·ly •adv.

incombustible (in'kэm´bûs´tэ bэl) •adj. not combustible; that cannot be burned; fireproof •n. an incombustible substance in'com·bus'ti·bil´i·ty •n. [ME < ML incombustibilis]

income (in´kûm'; also in´kэm; often iŋ´kûm' or iŋ´kэm) •n. 1 [Archaic] the act or an instance of coming in 2 the money or other gain received, esp. in a given period, by an individual, corporation, etc. for labor or services or from property, investments, operations, etc. [ME: see IN & COME]

income statement a financial statement that summarizes the various transactions of a business during a specified period, showing the net profit or loss; profit and loss statement

income tax a tax on income or on that part of income which exceeds a certain amount

incoming (in´kûm'iŋ) •adj. coming in or about to come in {the incoming tide, the incoming mayor} •n. 1 an act or instance of coming in 2 [usually pl.] income [ME < incomen, to come in < OE incuman]

incommensurable (in'kэ men´shur э bэl, -shэr-; -sэr-) •adj. 1 that cannot be measured or compared by the same standard or measure; without a common standard of comparison 2 not worthy of comparison {a statement incommensurable with truth} 3 not being integral multiples of the same number or quantity: said of two or more numbers or quantities, as two and √3 •n. an incommensurable thing, quantity, etc. in'com·men'su·ra·bil´i·ty •n. in'com·men´su·ra·bly •adv. [LL incommensurabilis: see IN-² & COMMENSURABLE]

incommensurate (in'kэ men´shur it, -shэr-; -sэr-) •adj. not commensurate; specif., a) not proportionate; not adequate {a supply incommensurate to the demand} b) INCOMMENSURABLE (adj. 1) in'com·men´su·rate·ly •adv.

incommode (in'kэ moud´) -mod´ed, -mod´ing •vt. to bother; inconvenience [Fr incommoder < L incommodare < incommodus, inconvenient < in-, not + commodus, convenient: see COMMODE]

incommodious (in'kэ mou´di: эs) •adj. 1 causing inconvenience; uncomfortable; troublesome 2 inconveniently small, narrow, etc. in'com·mo´di·ous·ly •adv. in'com·mo´di·ous·ness •n. [IN-² + COMMODIOUS]

incommodity (in'kэ mäd´i ti:) pl. -ties •n. [Archaic] inconvenience; disadvantage; discomfort [ME incommodite < OFr incommodité < L incommoditas: see INCOMMODE]

incommunicable (in'kэ myu:´ni kэ bэl) •adj. that cannot be communicated or told in'com·mu'ni·ca·bil´i·ty •n. in'com·mu´ni·ca·bly •adv. [LL incommunicabilis]

incommunicado (in'kэ myu:'ni kä´dou) •adj., adv. unable, unwilling, or not allowed to communicate with others {prisoners held incommunicado} [Sp incomunicado < pp. of incomunicar, to isolate, cut off from communication < in- (< L in-, IN-²) + comunicar < L communicare, to COMMUNICATE]

incommunicative (in'kэ myu:´ni keit'iv, -ni kэ tiv) •adj. not communicative; reserved; taciturn

incommutable (in'kэ myu:t´э bэl) •adj. that cannot be changed or exchanged in'com·mut'a·bil´i·ty •n. in'com·mut´a·bly •adv. [ME < L incommutabilis: see IN-² & COMMUTABLE]

incompact (in'kэm pækt´) •adj. not compact; loosely assembled; not solid

incomparable (in käm´pэ rэ bэl; often in'kэm pær´э bэl) •adj. that cannot be compared; specif., a) having no common basis of comparison; incommensurable b) beyond comparison; unequaled; matchless {incomparable skill} in·com'pa·ra·bil´i·ty •n. in·com´pa·ra·bly •adv. [OFr < L incomparabilis]

incompatible (in'kэm pæt´э bэl) •adj. 1 not compatible; specif., a) not able to exist in harmony or agreement b) not going, or getting along, well together; incongruous, conflicting, discordant, etc. (often followed by with) 2 that cannot be held at one time by the same person: said of positions, ranks, etc. 3 Logic a) not both true at the same time (said of propositions) b) not predicable of the same subject without contradiction (said of terms) 4 Math. logically contradictory: said of equations or other statements 5 Med., Pharmacy not suitable for being mixed or used together: said of substances having an undesirable action on each other or, when mixed, on the body •n. an incompatible person or thing: usually used in pl. in'com·pat'i·bil´i·ty, pl. -ties, •n. in´com·pat´i·bly •adv. [ML incompatibilis]

incompetent (in käm´pэ tэnt) •adj. 1 without adequate ability, knowledge, fitness, etc.; failing to meet requirements; incapable; unskillful 2 not legally qualified 3 lacking strength and sufficient flexibility to transmit pressure, thus breaking or flowing under stress: said of rock structures •n. an incompetent person; esp., one who is mentally deficient in·com´pe·tence or in·com´pe·ten·cy •n. in·com´pe·tent·ly •adv. [Fr incompétent < LL incompetens: see IN-² & COMPETENT]

incomplete (in'kэm pli:t´) •adj. 1 lacking a part or parts; not whole; not full 2 unfinished; not concluded 3 not perfect; not thorough in'com·plete´ly •adv. in'com·plete´ness or in'com·ple´tion •n. [ME incompleet < LL incompletus: see IN-² & COMPLETE]

incompliant (in'kэm plai´эnt) •adj. not compliant; not yielding; not pliant in'com·pli´ance or in'com·pli´an·cy •n. in'com·pli´ant·ly •adv.

incomprehensible (in'käm'pri: hen´sэ bэl, -pri-) •adj. 1 not comprehensible; that cannot be understood; obscure or unintelligible 2 [Archaic] illimitable in'com·pre·hen'si·bil´i·ty •n. in'com·pre·hen´si·bly •adv. [ME < OFr or L: OFr incompréhensible < L incomprehensibilis]

incomprehension (in'käm'pri: hen´shэn, -pri-) •n. lack of comprehension; inability to understand

incomprehensive (-siv) •adj. 1 not inclusive; including little 2 not able to comprehend well; understanding little in'com·pre·hen´sive·ly •adv.

incompressible (in'kэm pres´э bэl) •adj. that cannot be compressed in'com·press'i·bil´i·ty •n.

incomputable (in'kэm pyu:t´э bэl) •adj. that cannot be computed in'com·put´a·bly •adv.

inconceivable (in'kэn si:v´э bэl) •adj. that cannot be conceived; that cannot be thought of, understood, imagined, or believed in'con·ceiv'a·bil´i·ty or in'con·ceiv´a·ble·ness •n. in'con·ceiv´a·bly •adv.

inconclusive (in'kэn klu:´siv) •adj. not conclusive or final; not leading to a definite result in'con·clu´sive·ly •adv. in'con·clu´sive·ness •n.

incondensable or incondensible (in'kэn den´sэ bэl) •adj. that cannot be condensed in'con·den'sa·bil´i·ty or in'con·den'si·bil´i·ty •n.

incondite (in kän´dait', -dit) •adj. [Rare] 1 poorly constructed: said of literary works 2 lacking finish or refinement; crude [L incoditus < in-, not + conditus, pp. of condere, to put together: see RECONDITE]

inconformity (in'kэn förm´э ti:) •n. lack of conformity; nonconformity [ML inconformitas]

incongruent (in'käŋ´gru: эnt) •adj. not congruent in·con´gru·ence •n. in·con´gru·ent·ly •adv. [L incongruens]

incongruity (in'kän gru:´i ti:, -kэn-) •n. 1 the condition, quality, or fact of being incongruous; specif., a) lack of harmony or agreement b) lack of fitness or appropriateness 2 pl. -ties something incongruous [ML incongruitas < L incongruus]

incongruous (in käŋ´gru: эs, -kän´-) •adj. not congruous; specif., a) lacking harmony or agreement; incompatible b) having inconsistent or inharmonious parts, elements, etc. c) not corresponding to what is right, proper, or reasonable; unsuitable; inappropriate in·con´gru·ous·ly •adv. [L incongruus]

inconnu (in'kэ nu:´) pl. -nus´ •n.or -nu´ a large, oily, freshwater trout (Stenodus leucichthys) of NW North America and NE Asia [Fr, an unknown, stranger]

inconsecutive (in'kэn sek´yu: tiv, -yэ-) •adj. not consecutive

inconsequent (in kän´si kwent', -kwэnt) •adj. not consequent; specif., a) not following as a result b) not following as a logical inference or conclusion; irrelevant c) not proceeding in logical sequence; characterized by lack of logic in·con´se·quence' •n. in·con´se·quent'ly •adv. [L inconsequens]

inconsequential (in kän'si kwen´shэl) •adj. 1 inconsequent; illogical 2 of no consequence; unimportant; trivial •n. something inconsequential in·con'se·quen'ti·al´i·ty (-shi: æl´э ti:) •n. in·con'se·quen´tial·ly •adv.

inconsiderable (in'kэn sid´эr э bэl) •adj. not worth consideration; unimportant; trivial; small in'con·sid´er·a·ble·ness •n. in'con·sid´er·a·bly •adv.

inconsiderate (in'kэn sid´эr it) •adj. 1 [Now Rare] insufficiently considered; ill-advised 2 without thought or consideration for others; thoughtless; heedless in'con·sid´er·ate·ly •adv. in'con·sid´er·ate·ness or in'con·sid'er·a´tion (-эr ei´shэn) •n. [L inconsideratus]

inconsistency (in'kэn sis´tэn si:) •n. 1 the quality or state of being inconsistent 2 pl. -cies an inconsistent act, remark, etc. Also in'con·sis´tence

inconsistent (in'kэn sis´tэnt) •adj. not consistent; specif., a) not in agreement, harmony, or accord; incompatible {acts inconsistent with belief} b) not uniform; self-contradictory {inconsistent testimony} c) not always holding to the same principles or practice; changeable in'con·sis´tent·ly •adv.

inconsistent equations two or more equations impossible to satisfy by any one set of values for the variables (Ex.: x + y = 1 and x + y = 2)

inconsolable (in'kэn soul´э bэl) •adj. that cannot be consoled; disconsolate; brokenhearted in'con·sol'a·bil´i·ty or in'con·sol´a·ble·ness •n. in'con·sol´a·bly •adv. [L inconsolabilis]

inconsonant (in kän´sэ nэnt) •adj. not consonant; not in harmony or agreement; discordant in·con´so·nance •n. in·con´so·nant·ly •adv. [L inconsonans]

inconspicuous (in'kэn spik´yu: эs) •adj. not conspicuous; hard to see or perceive; attracting little attention; not striking in'con·spic´u·ous·ly •adv. in'con·spic´u·ous·ness •n. [L inconspicuus]

inconstant (in kän´stэnt) •adj. not constant; changeable; specif., a) not remaining firm in mind or purpose b) unsteady in affections or loyalties; fickle c) not uniform in nature, value, etc.; irregular; variable in·con´stan·cy •n. in·con´stant·ly •adv. SYN.—inconstant implies an inherent tendency to change or a lack of steadfastness [an inconstant lover]; fickle suggests an even greater instability or readiness to change, especially in affection [spurned by a fickle public]; capricious implies an instability or irregularity that seems to be the product of whim or erratic impulse [a capricious climate]; unstable, in this connection, applies to one who is emotionally unsettled or variable [an unstable person laughs and cries easily] —ANT. constant, reliable [OFr < L inconstans]

inconsumable (in'kэn su:´mэ bэl, -syu:´-) •adj. that cannot be consumed in'con·sum´a·bly •adv.

incontestable (in'kэn tes´tэ bэl) •adj. not to be contested; indisputable; unquestionable in'con·test'a·bil´i·ty •n. in'con·test´a·bly •adv. [Fr < in-, IN-² + contestable < contester, CONTEST]

incontinent¹ (in kän´tэ nэnt, -känt´ªn эnt) •adj. 1 a) without self-restraint, esp. in regard to sexual activity b) unrestrained 2 incapable of containing, holding, keeping, etc. {incontinent of ire} 3 unable to restrain a natural discharge, as of urine, from the body in·con´ti·nence •n. in·con´ti·nent·ly •adv. [OFr < L incontinens: see IN-² & CONTINENT]

incontinent² (in kän´tэ nэnt) •adv. [Archaic] immediately; without delay [OFr < L in continenti (tempore), in continuous (time): see CONTINENT]

incontrollable (in'kэn troul´э bэl) •adj. that cannot be controlled; uncontrollable

incontrovertible (in' kän'trэ vørt´э bэl) •adj. that cannot be controverted; not disputable or debatable; undeniable in'con'tro·vert'i·bil´i·ty •n. in'con'tro·vert´i·bly •adv.

inconvenience (in'kэn vi:n´yэns) •n. 1 the quality or state of being inconvenient; lack of comfort, ease, etc.; bother; trouble 2 anything inconvenient Also in'con·ven´ien·cy (-yэn si:), pl. -cies •vt. -ienced, -ienc·ing to cause inconvenience to; cause trouble or bother to; incommode [OFr < LL inconvenientia]

inconvenient (in'kэn vi:n´yэnt) •adj. not convenient; specif., a) not favorable to one's comfort; difficult to do, use, or get to; causing trouble or bother; unhandy b) [Obs.] not appropriate in'con·ven´ient·ly •adv. [OFr < L inconveniens]

inconvertible (in'kэn vørt´э bэl) •adj. that cannot be converted; that cannot be changed or exchanged {paper money that is inconvertible into silver} in'con·vert'i·bil´i·ty •n. [LL(Ec) inconvertibilis]

inconvincible (in'kэn vin´sэ bэl) •adj. that cannot be convinced [LL(Ec) inconvincibilis]

incoordinate (in'kou ör´dэ nit, -örd´ªn it) •adj. not coordinate

incoordination (in'kou ör'dэ nei´shэn, -örd'ªn ei´-) •n. lack of coordination; esp., inability to adjust the harmonious action of muscles in producing complex movements

incorp incorporated

incorporable (in kör´pэ rэ bэl) •adj. that can be incorporated

incorporate¹ (in kör´pэ rit; for v., -pэ reit') •adj. INCORPORATED •vt. -rat'ed, -rat'ing [ME incorporaten] 1 to combine or join with something already formed; make part of another thing; include; embody 2 to bring together into a single whole; merge 3 to admit into a corporation or association as a member 4 to form (individuals or units) into a legally organized group that acts as one individual; form into a corporation 5 to give substantial, material, or physical form to •vi. 1 to unite or combine into a single whole; be combined or merged 2 to form a corporation in·cor'po·ra´tion •n. in·cor·po·ra·tive (in kör´pэ ræt'iv, -rэ tiv') •adj. [ME incorporat < LL incorporatus, pp. of incorporare: see IN-¹ & CORPORATE]

incorporate² (in kör´pэ rit, -reit') •adj. [Archaic] INCORPOREAL [L incorporatus: see IN-² & CORPORATE]

incorporated (in kör´pэ reit'id) •adj. 1 combined into one body or unit; united 2 organized as a legal corporation {an incorporated town}

incorporator (in kör´pэ reit'эr) •n. 1 a person who incorporates 2 any of the original members of a corporation, whose names appear in its charter

incorporeal (in'kör pör´i: эl) •adj. 1 not consisting of matter; without material body or substance 2 of spirits or angels 3 Law without physical existence in itself but belonging as a right to a material thing or property, as a patent, copyright, etc. in'cor·po´re·al·ly •adv. [L incorporeus (see INCORPOREITY) + -AL]

incorporeity (in'kör pэ ri:´э ti:) •n. 1 the quality or state of being incorporeal 2 pl. -ties an incorporeal entity or attribute [ML incorporeitas < L incorporeus < in-, IN-² + corporeus, CORPOREAL]

incorrect (in'kэ rekt´) •adj. not correct; specif., a) improper b) untrue; inaccurate; wrong; faulty in'cor·rect´ly •adv. in'cor·rect´ness •n. [ME < L incorrectus]

incorrigible (in kör´э jэ bэl, -kär´-) •adj. not corrigible; that cannot be corrected, improved, or reformed, esp. because firmly established, as a habit, or because set in bad habits, as a child •n. an incorrigible person in·cor'ri·gi·bil´i·ty or in·cor´ri·gi·ble·ness •n. in·cor´ri·gi·bly •adv. [ME incorygibile < OFr < LL incorrigibilis]

incorrupt (in'kэ rûpt´) •adj. not corrupt; specif., a) [Obs.] uncontaminated; not rotten b) morally sound; not depraved, evil, impure, or perverted c) not taking bribes; upright; honest d) containing no errors, alterations, or foreign admixtures (said of texts, languages, etc.) [ME incorrupte < L incorruptus]

incorruptible (-rûp´tэ bэl) •adj. 1 that cannot be corrupted, esp. morally 2 not liable to physical decay in'cor·rupt'i·bil´i·ty •n. in'cor·rupt´i·bly •adv. [ME incorruptyble < LL (Ec) incorruptibilis]

incorruption (in'kэ rûp´shэn) •n. [Archaic] the quality or state of being INCORRUPTIBLE (sense 2) [LL(Ec) incorruptio]

incr 1 increase 2 increment

incrassate (in kræs´eit') -sat'ed, -sat'ing •vt., vi. [Now Rare] to make or become thick or thicker, esp. in consistency •adj. Biol. thickened; swollen in'cras·sa´tion •n. [< L incrassatus, pp. of incrassare, to make thick < in-, in + crassare, to thicken < crassus, thick: see CRASS]

increase (for v. in kri:s´, in´kri:s'; for n. in´kri:s', in kri:s´) -creased´, -creas´ing •vi. 1 to become greater in size, amount, degree, etc.; grow 2 to become greater in numbers by producing offspring; multiply; propagate •vt. to cause to become greater in size, amount, degree, etc.; add to; augment •n. [ME encrese] 1 an increasing or becoming increased; specif., a) growth, enlargement, etc. b) [Archaic] multiplication, as of offspring 2 the result or amount of an increasing {a population increase of 10%} on the increase increasing in·creas´a·ble •adj. in·creas´er •n. SYN.—increase, the general word in this list, means to make or become greater in size, amount, degree, etc. [to increase one's weight, one's power, debts, etc.]; enlarge specifically implies a making or becoming greater in size, volume, extent, etc. [to enlarge a house, a business, etc.]; augment, a more formal word, generally implies increase by addition, often of something that is already of a considerable size, amount, etc. [to augment one's income]; multiply suggests increase in number, specif. by procreation [rabbits multiply rapidly] —ANT. decrease, diminish, lessen [ME encresen < OFr encreistre < L increscere < in-, in, on + crescere, to grow: see CRESCENT]

increasingly (in kri:s´iŋ li:) •adv. more and more; to an ever-increasing degree

increate (in'kri: eit´, in´kri: eit') •adj. not created: said of divine beings or attributes [ME < LL increatus]

incredible (in kred´э bэl) •adj. 1 not credible; unbelievable 2 seeming too unusual or improbable to be possible in·cred'i·bil´i·ty •n. in·cred´i·bly •adv. [L incredibilis]

incredulity (in'krэ du:´lэ ti:, -dyu:´-) •n. unwillingness or inability to believe; doubt; skepticism SYN. UNBELIEF [ME incredulite < OFr incrédulité < L incredulitas: see IN-² & CREDULITY]

incredulous (in krej´u lэs) •adj. 1 unwilling or unable to believe; doubting; skeptical 2 showing doubt or disbelief {an incredulous look} in·cred´u·lous·ly •adv. [L incredulus: see IN-² & CREDULOUS]

increment (in´krэ mэnt, iŋ´-) •n. 1 the fact of becoming greater or larger; increase; gain; growth 2 a) amount of increase {an annual increment of $300 in salary} b) an increase, usually small, often one of a series 3 Math. the quantity, usually small, by which a variable increases or is increased: a negative increment results in a decrease in'cre·men´tal (-ment´ªl) •adj. [ME < L incrementum < base of increscere, to INCREASE]

increscent (in kres´ªnt) •adj. increasing; growing; waxing: said esp. of the moon [L increscens, prp. of increscere, to INCREASE]

incretion (in kri:´shэn) •n. [Obs.] INTERNAL SECRETION [IN-¹ + (SE)CRETION]

incriminate (in krim´i neit') -nat'ed, -nat'ing •vt. 1 to charge with a crime; accuse 2 to involve in, or make appear guilty of, a crime or fault in·crim'i·na´tion •n. in·crim´i·na·to'ry (-nэ tör'i:) •adj. [< ML incriminatus, pp. of incriminare: see IN-¹ & CRIMINATE]

incross (in´krös') •n. an organism formed by close inbreeding within a stock •vt. INBREED (sense 2)

incrust (in krûst´) •vt., vi. ENCRUST in'crus·ta´tion (in'krûs tei´shэn) •n.

incubate (in´kyu: beit', iŋ´-; -kyэ-) -bat'ed, -bat'ing •vt. 1 to sit on and hatch (eggs) 2 to keep (eggs, embryos, bacteria, etc.) in a favorable environment for hatching or developing 3 to cause to develop or take form, as by thought or planning •vi. 1 to go through the process of incubation 2 to develop or take form, esp. gradually [< L incubatus, pp. of incubare, to lie in or upon < in-, IN-¹ + cubare, to lie: see CUBE¹]

incubation (in'kyu: bei´shэn, -kyэ-; iŋ'-) •n. 1 an incubating or being incubated 2 the phase in the development of a disease between the infection and the first appearance of symptoms in'cu·ba´tion·al •adj. in´cu·ba'tive •adj. [L incubatio]