hypoplasia (hai'pou plei´zhэ) •n. a condition of decreased or arrested growth of an undeveloped organ or tissue of the body hy'po·plas´tic (-plæs´tik) •adj. [ModL < HYPO- + -PLASIA]

hypopyon (hai pou´pi: än'; -эn) •n. an accumulation of pus in the cavity between the cornea and the lens of the eye [ModL < Gr, kind of ulcer, neut. sing. of hypopyos, tending to suppurate < hypo-, under (see HYPO-) + pyon, PUS]

hyposensitize (hai'pou sen´sэ taiz') -tized', -tiz'ing •vt. to treat with frequent, small injections of an antigen so as to decrease the symptoms of an allergy to that antigen hy'po·sen'si·ti·za´tion •n. [HYPO- + SENSITIZE]

hypostasis (hai päs´tэ sis, hi-) pl. -ses' (-si:z') •n. 1 the masking or suppression of a gene by another gene that is not its allele 2 Med. a) a deposit or sediment b) a settling of blood in the lower parts of the body as a result of a slowing down of the blood flow 3 Philos. the underlying, essential nature of a thing; essence 4 Christian Theol. a) the unique nature of the one God b) any of the three persons of the Trinity, each person having the divine nature fully and equally c) the union of the wholly divine nature and of a wholly human nature in the one person of Jesus Christ (in full hypostatic union) hy·po·stat·ic (hai'pou stæt´ik, -pэ-) •adj. [Gr, a supporting, foundation < hyphistanai, to set under, pass, stand under < hypo-, under (see HYPO-) + histanai, to STAND, cause to stand]

hypostatize (hai päs´tэ taiz') -tized', -tiz'ing •vt. to think of (a concept, abstraction, etc.) as having real, objective existence hy·pos'ta·ti·za´tion •n. [< Gr hypostatos (< hyphistanai: see HYPOSTASIS) + -IZE]

hypostyle (haip´ou stail', hai´pou-) •adj. having a roof supported by rows of pillars or columns •n. a hypostyle structure [Gr hypostylos, resting on pillars < hypo-, under + stylos, a pillar: see HYPO- & STEER¹]

hypotaxis (hai'pou tæk´sis, hip'ou-) •n. Gram. syntactic subordination of one clause or construction to another hy'po·tac´tic (-tæk´tik) •adj. [ModL < Gr, submission: see HYPO- & -TAXIS]

hypotension (hai´pou ten'shэn) •n. abnormally low blood pressure hy´po·ten'sive •adj.

hypotenuse (hai pät´i nu:s', -nyu:s'; -pät´ªn nu:s', -nyu:s'; also, -nu:z, -nyu:z'; also, hi-; -nu:z) •n. the longest side of a right triangle, located opposite the right angle Also hy·poth´e·nuse (-päθ´i-) [L hypotenusa < Gr hypoteinousa, lit., subtending, properly fem. of prp. of hypoteinein, to subtend, stretch under < hypo-, under (see HYPO-) + teinein, to stretch: see HYPO- & THIN]

hypothalamus (hai'pou θæl´э mэs) pl. -mi' (-mai') •n. the part of the diencephalon in the brain that forms the floor of the third ventricle and regulates many basic body functions, as temperature hy'po·tha·lam´ic (-θэ læm´ik) •adj. [ModL: see HYPO- & THALAMUS]

hypothec (hai päθ´ek', -ik; hi-) •n. Civil Law security or right given to a creditor over a debtor's property without transfer of possession or title [Fr hypothèque < LL hypotheca, a pledge, security < Gr hypothēkē, something put under (obligation), pledge < hypotithenai, to put under, pledge: see HYPOTHESIS]

hypothecate (hai päθ´i keit', hi-) -cat'ed, -cat'ing •vt. 1 to pledge (property) to another as security without transferring possession or title 2 HYPOTHESIZE hy·poth'e·ca´tion •n. hy·poth´e·ca'tor •n. [< ML hypothecatus, pp. of hypothecare, to hypothecate < LL hypotheca: see HYPOTHEC]

hypothermal (hai'pou θør´mэl, -pэ-) •adj. 1 tepid or lukewarm 2 of or characterized by hypothermia 3 produced at a temperature of 300°C or more: said of certain mineral deposits

hypothermia (-θør´mi: э) •n. a subnormal body temperature [ModL < HYPO- + Gr thermē, heat: see WARM]

hypothesis (hai päθ´э sis, hi-) pl. -ses' (-si:z') •n. an unproved theory, proposition, supposition, etc. tentatively accepted to explain certain facts or (working hypothesis) to provide a basis for further investigation, argument, etc. SYN. THEORY [Gr, groundwork, foundation, supposition < hypotithenai, to place under < hypo-, under + tithenai, to place: see HYPO- & DO¹]

hypothesize (hai päθ´э saiz', hi-) -sized', -siz'ing •vi. to make a hypothesis •vt. to assume; suppose

hypothetical (hai pou θet´i kэl, -pэ-) •adj. 1 based on, involving, or having the nature of a hypothesis; assumed; supposed 2 given to the use of hypotheses {a hypothetical mind} 3 Logic CONDITIONAL Also hy'po·thet´ic hy'po·thet´i·cal·ly •adv. [< Gr hypothetikos (< hypothesis) + -AL]

hypothyroid (hai'pou θai´roid') •adj. of, characterized by, or having hypothyroidism •n. a hypothyroid person

hypothyroidism (-θai´roid iz'эm) •n. 1 deficient activity of the thyroid gland 2 the disorder resulting from this, characterized by a retarded rate of metabolism and resulting sluggishness, puffiness, etc.

hypotonic (hai'pou tän´ik, -pэ-) •adj. 1 having abnormally low tension or tone, esp. of the muscles 2 having an osmotic pressure lower than that of an isotonic solution hy'po·to·nic´i·ty (-tou nis´э ti:, -tэ-) •n.

hypoxanthine (-zæn´θi:n', -θin) •n. a nitrogenous compound, C5H4N4O, formed in the body from the breakdown of nucleic acids

hypoxia (hai päk´si: э, hi-) •n. an abnormal condition resulting from a decrease in the oxygen supplied to or utilized by body tissue hy·pox´ic •adj. [ModL: see HYPO- & OXY-¹ & -IA]

hypso- (hip´sou, -sэ) combining form height, high {hypsometer} Also, before a vowel, hyps- [< Gr hypsos, height < IE *ups-, high < base *upo-: see UP¹]

hypsography (hip säg´rэ fi:) •n. 1 the science of measuring the configuration of land or underwater surfaces with respect to a datum plane, as sea level 2 the configuration of such surfaces; topographic relief 3 the representation or description of relief features on a map or chart, as by tints, hachures, etc. 4 HYPSOMETRY hyp'so·graph´ic (-sou græf´ik, -sэ-) •adj. [prec. + -GRAPHY]

hypsometer (-säm´эt эr) •n. 1 a device for determining height above sea level by measuring atmospheric pressure as indicated by the boiling point of water 2 any of several instruments for measuring heights of trees by triangulation [HYPSO- + -METER]

hypsometry (-säm´э tri:) •n. the measurement of surface elevations above any level reference plane, esp. sea level hyp·so·met·ric (hip'sou met´rik, -sэ-) •adj. [HYPSO- + -METRY]

hyracoid (hai´rэ koid') •n. HYRAX •adj. designating or of the hyraxes [< ModL Hyracoidea: see HYRAX & -OID]

hyrax (hai´ræks') pl. -rax'es or -ra·ces' (-rэ si:z') any of an order (Hyracoidea) of small, rodentlike mammals of Africa and SW Asia that feed on plants and live in rocky areas (genus Procavia) or in trees (genera Dendrohyrax and Heterohyrax) •n. [ModL < Gr, shrew mouse < IE base *swer-, to hum, buzz > SWARM¹]

Hyrcania (hэr kei´ni: э) province of the ancient Persian & Macedonian empires, on the S & SE coast of the Caspian Sea Hyr·ca´ni·an •adj., n.

hyson (hai´sэn) •n. a variety of Chinese green tea: the early crop is called young hyson, and the inferior leaves are called hyson skin [Chin hsi-tchun, lit., blooming spring, first crop]

hyssop (his´ep) •n. 1 a) a fragrant herb (Hyssopus officinalis) of the mint family, usually with blue flowers, having leaves once used in folk medicine as a tonic, stimulant, etc. b) its flower Æ 2 any of several American plants of various families 3 Bible a plant whose twigs were used for sprinkling in certain ancient Jewish rites [ME isope < OE & OFr ysope < L hyssopus < Gr hyssōpos, hyssōpon < Heb ēzōbh]

hysterectomy (his'tэr ek´tэ mi:) pl. -mies •n. surgical removal of all or part of the uterus [HYSTER(O)- + -ECTOMY]

hysteresis (his'tэr i:´sis) •n. Physics a lag of effect when the forces acting on a body are changed, as a lag in magnetization (magnetic hysteresis) of a ferromagnetic substance when the magnetizing force is changed hys'ter·et´ic (-et´ik) •adj. [ModL < Gr hysterēsis, a deficiency < hysterein, to be behind, come short < hysteros, later, behind < IE *udteros, compar. of base *ud-, up > OUT]

hysteria (hi ster´i: э; also, -stir´-) •n. 1 a psychiatric condition variously characterized by emotional excitability, excessive anxiety, sensory and motor disturbances, or the unconscious simulation of organic disorders, such as blindness, deafness, etc. 2 any outbreak of wild, uncontrolled excitement or feeling, such as fits of laughing and crying SYN. MANIA [ModL < fol. + -IA]

hysteric (hi ster´ik) •adj. hysterical •n. 1 [usually pl., occas. with sing. v.] a hysterical fit; HYSTERIA (sense 2) 2 a person subject to hysteria [L hystericus < Gr hysterikos, suffering in the womb, hysterical < hystera, uterus: from the ancient notion that women were hysterical more often than men]

hysterical (hi ster´i kэl) •adj. 1 of or characteristic of hysteria 2 a) like or suggestive of hysteria; emotionally uncontrolled and wild b) extremely comical 3 having or subject to hysteria hys·ter´i·cal·ly •adv. [prec. + -AL]

hystero- (his´tэr ou, -э) combining form 1 uterus, womb {hysterotomy} 2 hysteria, hysteria and {hysterogenic} Also, before a vowel, hyster- [< Gr hystera, uterus, womb]

hysterogenic (his'tэr ou'jen´ik) •adj. causing hysteria [prec. + -GENIC]

hysteroid (his´tэr oid') •adj. resembling hysteria [HYSTER(O)- + -OID]

hysteron proteron (his'tэr än' prät´эr än') a figure of speech in which the logical order of ideas is reversed (Ex.: I die, I faint, I fail) [LL < Gr hysteron, neut. of hysteros, latter + proteron, neut. of proteros, earlier]

hysterotomy (his'tэr ät´э mi:) pl. -mies •n. incision of the uterus, as in a Caesarean section Etymology [HYSTERO- + -TOMY]

hystricomorphic (his'tri kou' mör´fik) •adj. designating or of a suborder (Hystricomorpha) of rodents, including the porcupines and chinchillas [< ModL Hystricomorpha < L hystrix, porcupine (< Gr) + Gr morphē, form + -IC]

Hz hertz

I abbrev. 1 Physics a) electric current b) moment of inertia 2 Imperator 3 Dentistry incisor 4 Independent 5 Chem. symbol for iodine 6 Island(s) 7 Isle(s) i abbrev. 1 interest 2 intransitive 3 island(s) 4 isle(s)

-i- infix forming compound words: a connective vowel orig. used for combining Latin elements only, but now used freely

i- (i) prefix [Archaic] Y- {iwis}

I Ching (i:´chiŋ´, i:´jiŋ´) an ancient Chinese book of divination, consisting of 64 symbolic hexagrams taken to indicate wise courses of action

I formation Football an offensive formation with the fullback behind the quarterback, and the halfback behind the fullback

I of M or I.O.M. Isle of Man

i.e. that is (to say) [L id est]

i.q. the same [L idem quod]

I/O input/output

I¹ (ai) •n. a Roman numeral for 1; placed after another Roman numeral, it adds one unit (e.g., VI = 6), and placed before another numeral, it subtracts one unit (e.g., IV = 4)

i¹ or I (ai) pl. i's, I's •n. 1 the ninth letter of the English alphabet: via Latin from the Greek iota, a modification of the Phoenician (Semitic yodh, a hand): this letter, first dotted in the 11th cent., was not distinguished from j until the 17th cent. 2 any of the speech sounds that this letter represents, as, in English, the vowel (i) of pick, (i:) of pique, or (ai) of pike (IPA diphthong [aI]), or, when unstressed, (э) as in sanity 3 a type or impression for I or i 4 the ninth in a sequence or group 5 an object shaped like I •adj. 1 of I or i 2 ninth in a sequence or group 3 shaped like I

I² (ai) pron. the person speaking or writing: I is the nominative case form, me the objective, my and mine the possessive, and myself the intensive and reflexive, of the first personal singular pronoun •n. pl. I's the ego; the self [ME i, ich, ih < OE ic, akin to Ger ich, Goth ik < IE base *ēgom, orig. prob. neut. n. meaning (my) presence here > L ego, Gr egō, Sans ahám] i² (ai) •n. 1 a Roman numeral for 1 {e.g., iii=3} 2 Astron. the inclination of a planet's orbit to some reference plane, as the ecliptic 3 Math. symbol for √-1, the square root of minus one

-ia (i: э, yэ) suffix forming nouns 1 names of countries {India} 2 names of diseases {pneumonia} 3 names of ancient Greek and Roman festivals {Lupercalia} 4 certain Greek and Latin words carried over into English {militia} 5 English plurals of certain Greek and Latin words {paraphernalia} 6 Bot. generic names of some plants {zinnia} 7 Zool. names of some classes, orders, etc. {Reptilia} [for 1, 2, 7 (& sometimes 4), L -ia & Gr -ia < -i-, thematic vowel + -a, noun suffix of 1st declension; for 3, 5, 6 (& sometimes 4), L -ia & Gr -ia, neut. pl. ending of L nouns in -ium & Gr nouns in -ion; -i-, thematic vowel + -a, suffix]

IA or Ia Iowa

Iago (i: ä´gou) see OTHELLO

-ial (i: эl, yэl, эl) suffix -AL (senses 1 & 2) {magisterial, jovial, artificial} [L -ialis, -iale]

iamb (ai´æmb', -æm') •n. a metrical foot consisting, in Greek and Latin verse, of one short syllable followed by one long one, or, as in English verse, of one unaccented syllable followed by one accented one (Ex.: Tŏ stríve, tŏ séek, tŏ fínd, ănd nót tŏ yíeld) [Fr iambe < L iambus < Gr iambos]

iambic (ai æm´bik) •adj. of or made up of iambs •n. 1 an iamb 2 [usually pl.] an iambic line of poetry [< Fr or L: Fr iambique < L iambicus < Gr iambikos]

iambus (ai æm´bэs) pl. -bus·es or -bi' (-bai') •n. IAMB [L]

Ian (i:´эn) a masculine name: see JOHN

-ian (i: эn, yэn, эn) suffix -AN {Indian, reptilian} [Fr or L: Fr -ien < L -ianus < -I- stem ending + -anus: see -AN]

-iana (i: æn´э) suffix -ANA

Iapetus (ai ei´pэ tэs, i:-) a satellite of Saturn having an extreme contrast of low and high reflectiveness on its leading and trailing sides

IAS indicated airspeed

Iaşi (yäsh, yä´shi:) city in NE Romania: pop. 265,000

-iasis (ai´э sis) suffix 1 process or condition 2 pathological or morbid condition {hypochondriasis} [ModL < Gr -iasis]

iatric (ai æ´trik') •adj. of medicine or medical doctors; medical or medicinal Also i·at´ri·cal [Gr iatrikos < iatros, physician < iasthai, to cure, heal]

-iatrics (i: æ´triks') combining form treatment of disease {pediatrics} [see IATRIC]

iatro- (ai æ´trou, i: æ´-; -trэ) combining form medicine, medical, medicinal {iatrogenic} [Gr iatro- < iatros: see IATRIC]

iatrogenic (ai æ'trou jen´ik, i: æ'-; -trэ-) •adj. caused by medical treatment: said esp. of symptoms, ailments, or disorders induced by drugs or surgery [prec. + -GENIC]

-iatry (ai´э tri:) combining form medical treatment {podiatry, psychiatry} [ModL -iatria < Gr iatreia, healing]

ib. IBID.

Ibadan (i: bä´dän') city in SW Nigeria: pop. 847,000

Ibáñez see BLASCO IBÁÑEZ, Vicente

I-beam (ai´bi:m') •n. a steel beam which in cross section has the shape of an I

Iberia (ai bir´i: э) 1 ancient region in the S Caucasus, in what is now Georgia 2 IBERIAN PENINSULA [L]

Iberian (-i: эn) •adj. of Iberia (either region), its people, etc. •n. 1 a) a member of an ancient people in the S Caucasus, believed to be the ancestors of the Georgians b) a member of an ancient people of the Iberian Peninsula 2 a native or inhabitant of the Iberian Peninsula 3 any of the languages spoken by the ancient Iberians

Iberian Peninsula peninsula in SW Europe, comprising Spain & Portugal

Iberville (i: beř vi:l´) see D'IBERVILLE, Sieur

ibex (ai´beks') pl. i´bex'es, i·bi·ces (ai´bэ si:z'; also ib´э-),n. r i´bex' any of various Old World wild goats: the male has large, backward-curved horns [L, prob. < IE word in an Alpine language, signifying climber, akin to IVY]

Ibibio (ib'э bi:´ou') •n. 1 pl. -bi´os' or -bi´o' any of a people of SE Nigeria 2 their Niger-Congo language

ibid. in the same place: used in referring again to the book, page, etc. cited just before [L ibidem]

-ibility (i bil´i ti:, э bil´-; -э ti:) suffix forming nouns -ABILITY {sensibility} Corresponds to -IBLE [L -ibilitas < -I-, thematic vowel + -bilitas: see -ABILITY]

ibis (ai´bis) pl. i´bis·es or i´bis any of several large wading birds (family Threskiornithidae) with long legs and a long, slender, curved bill, found chiefly in tropical regions, as the sacred ibis of the Nile (Threskiornis aethiopica) •n. [L < Gr < Egypt hb]

Ibizan hound (i bi:´zэn) any of a breed of tall, slender dog whose ancestry can be traced to ancient Egypt, characterized by a long, narrow head and a short or wirehaired coat, usually of red or red and white

-ible (i bэl, э bэl) suffix -ABLE: used to form adjectives derived directly from Latin verbs ending in -ire or -ere {divisible, legible} [L -ibilis]

ibn- (ib эn) prefix son of: used in many hyphenated Arabic surnames [Ar]

ibn-Rushd (ib'эn rusht´) Ar. name of AVERROËS

Ibo (i:´bou') pl. I´bos' or I´bo' •n. 1 a member of an African people of SE Nigeria 2 their Kwa language [< the native name]

ibogaine (ai´bou gei'i:n', -in; ai bou´gei i:n', i bou´-) •n. an alkaloid, C20H26N2O, extracted from a tropical African shrub (Tabernanthe iboga) of the dogbane family, and acting as an antidepressant or stimulant: may cause hallucinations, paralysis, etc.

Ibsen (ib´sэn), Hen·rik (hen´rik) 1828-1906; Norw. playwright & poet Ib·se·ni·an (ib si:´ni: эn) •adj. Ib´sen·ism' •n.

ibuprofen (ai'byu: prou´fэn) •n. a white powder, C13H18O2, used for reducing fever and relieving pain, esp. to treat arthritis

-ic (ik) suffix 1 forming adjectives a) of, having to do with {volcanic} b) like, having the nature of, characteristic of {angelic} c) produced by, caused by {anaerobic} d) producing, causing {analgesic} e) consisting of, containing, forming {dactylic} f) having, showing, affected by {lethargic} g) Chem. of or derived from {benzoic, citric} h) Chem. having a higher valence than is indicated by the suffix -OUS {nitric, phosphoric} 2 forming nouns a person or thing: [< ME or L or Gr: ME -ike < L -icus < Gr -ikos: from substantive use of respective adjectives] a) having, showing, affected by {hysteric, paraplegic} b) supporting, adhering to {Gnostic} c) belonging to, characteristic of {cynic, Philippic} d) derived from {patronymic} e) producing, causing {hypnotic} f) affecting {stomachic}[< Fr or LGr; Fr -ique < L -icus < Gr -ikos: akin to Ger -isch, OE -ig: see -Y³]

IC 4-A Intercollegiate Association of Amateur Athletes of America

ic or i-c integrated circuit

Içá (i: sä´) Brazilian name of PUTUMAYO

-ical (i kэl, э kэl) suffix -IC: adjectives formed with -ical sometimes have special or differentiated meanings that the corresponding -ic forms do not have {historical, economical} [LL -icalis < -icus, -IC + -alis, -AL]

ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization

Icaria (ai ker´i: э, i-) Greek island in the Aegean Sea, southwest of Samos: 99 sq. mi. (256 sq. km)

Icarian (ai ker´i: эn; also i-) •adj. 1 of, like, or characteristic of Icarus 2 too daring; foolhardy; rash [L Icarius < Gr Ikarios, of ICARUS]

Icarian Sea old name for the S part of the Aegean Sea, between the Cyclades & Asia Minor

Icarus (ik´э rэs; also ai´kэ-) Gr. Myth. the son of Daedalus; escaping from Crete by flying with wings made by Daedalus, Icarus flies so high that the sun's heat melts the wax by which his wings are fastened, and he falls to his death in the sea [L < Gr Ikaros]

ICBM intercontinental ballistic missile

ICC Interstate Commerce Commission

Ice 1 Iceland 2 Icelandic ice (ais) •n. 1 the glassy, brittle, crystalline form of water made solid by cold; frozen water 2 a piece, layer, or sheet of this 3 anything like frozen water in appearance, structure, etc. 4 coldness in manner or attitude 5 a) a frozen dessert, usually made of water, fruit juice, egg white, and sugar b) [Brit.] ice cream 6 [Slang] a diamond or diamonds Æ 7 [Slang] a) the illegal profit made in ticket scalping, as through extra payment by ticket brokers to theater management b) any money paid in bribes or graft •vt. iced, ic´ing 1 to change into ice; freeze 2 to cover with ice; apply ice to 3 to cool by putting ice on, in, or around 4 to cover (cake, etc.) with icing Æ 5 [Slang] to kill 6 Ice Hockey to shoot (the puck) from defensive to offensive territory •vi. to freeze: often with up or over break the ice 1 to make a start by getting over initial difficulties 2 to make a start toward getting better acquainted Æ cut no ice [Colloq.] to have no influence or effect Æ on ice 1 [Slang] in readiness, reserve, or safekeeping 2 in abeyance 3 with success or victory ensured on thin ice [Colloq.] in a risky, dangerous situation [ME is < OE īs, akin to Ger eis (OHG īs), Dan is, ON iss < IE base *eis, *ein- > Avestan isu-, icy, OSlav inej, snow flurry]

-ice (is, эs) suffix condition, state, or quality of {justice, malice} [ME -ice, -ise, -is < OFr -ice < L -itius, masc., -itia, fem., -itium, neut.]

ice age GLACIAL EPOCH

ice bag a bag, as of rubber, for holding ice, applied to the body to reduce a swelling, ease pain, etc.

ice cream a rich, sweet, creamy frozen food made from variously flavored cream and milk products churned or stirred to a smooth consistency during the freezing process and often containing gelatin, eggs, fruits, or nuts, etc. ice´-cream' •adj. [orig., iced cream]

ice field 1 an mass of thick ice, esp. in a highland area, which may feed valley glaciers about its borders; icecap 2 an extensive area of floating sea ice, specif. an area five or more miles across

ice floe 1 ICE FIELD (sense 2) 2 a single piece, large or small, of floating sea ice

ice foot a fringe of sea ice frozen to the shore in polar regions [ICE + FOOT, transl. of Dan isfod]

ice hockey see HOCKEY (sense 1)

ice milk frozen dessert like ice cream, but with a lower butterfat content

ice needle Meteorol. a long, thin, light ice crystal, that falls slowly through the air

ice pack 1 a large, floating expanse of broken ice masses frozen together 2 an ice bag, folded cloth, etc. filled with crushed ice and applied to the body, as to reduce a swelling or ease pain

ice pick a sharply pointed metal tool used to chop ice into small pieces

ice plant a succulent Old World plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum) of the carpetweed family, having thick leaves covered with thin, glistening cells that look like ice crystals

ice sheet a thick layer of ice covering an extensive area for a long period, as in the ice age

ice shelf a thick mass of glacial ice extending along a polar shore, often resting on the bottom near the shore with the seaward edge afloat: it may protrude hundreds of miles out to sea

ice skate a skate for skating on ice: see SKATE¹ (sense 1) ice´-skate', -skat'ed, -skat'ing, •vi. ice skater

ice storm a storm in which freezing rain falls and forms a glaze on surfaces

ice water 1 melted ice 2 water chilled as with ice

iceberg (ais´børg') •n. a great mass of ice broken off from a glacier and floating in the sea [prob. via Du ijsberg, lit., ice mountain < Scand, as in Dan isbjerg < is, ICE + bjerg, mountain]

iceberg lettuce variety of lettuce with crisp, medium-green leaves tightly folded into a round, compact head

iceblink (ais´bliŋk') •n. a bright reflection of sunlight, esp. in polar regions, on the bottom of a low cloud, caused by ice on a distant expanse of water or land: see SNOWBLINK [ICE + BLINK, transl. of Du ijsblink or Dan isblink]

iceboat (-bout') •n. a light, boatlike frame, often triangular, mounted on runners and designed to be propelled, as by a sail, over frozen lakes, rivers, etc.

icebound (-baund') •adj. 1 held fast by ice, as a boat 2 made inaccessible by ice, as a port

icebox (ais´bäks') •n. a cabinet with ice in it for keeping foods, etc., cold; also, any refrigerator

icebreaker (-breik'эr) •n. 1 a sturdy, powerful vessel designed to cut channels through heavy ice 2 a wedgelike structure for protecting a bridge pier, dock, etc. from floating ice 3 anything serving to lessen formality or break down reserve

icecap (ais´kæp') •n. a mass of glacial ice that spreads slowly out in all directions from a center

ice-cold (ais´kould´) •adj. very cold

icefall (ais´föl') •n. Æ 1 a jumbled mass of pulverized ice broken from the terminus of a glacier at the edge of a mountain shelf 2 that part of a valley glacier descending an unusually steep slope where the ice is broken by crevasses

icehouse (ais´haus') •n. 1 a building where ice is stored 2 a place where artificial ice is made

Iceland (ais´lэnd) 1 island in the North Atlantic, southeast of Greenland 2 country including this island & a few small nearby islands: settled by Norwegians in 9th cent. A.D.; united with Norway (1262), with Denmark (1380); became independent kingdom with a common sovereign with Denmark (1918), and an independent republic (1944): 39,768 sq. mi. (102,998 sq. km); pop. 240,000; cap. Reykjavik Ice´land·er •n.

Iceland moss an arctic lichen (Cetraria islandica) sometimes used as a food and in folk medicine

Iceland poppy an arctic poppy (Papaver nudicaule) with fragrant, nodding flowers, cultivated in gardens

Iceland spar a transparent, colorless calcite, found esp. in Iceland: it is used by opticians for making double-refracting prisms

Icelandic (ais læn´dik) •adj. of Iceland, its people, their language, or culture •n. the North Germanic language of the Icelanders, considered the most conservative of Germanic languages

iceman (ais´mæn', -mэn) pl. -men' (-men', -mэn) •n. Æ a person who sells or delivers ice

Iceni (ai si:´nai') •n.pl. an ancient British people who, led by their queen Boadicea, rebelled against the Romans in A.D. 61 I·ce´ni·an (-ni: эn) •adj. [L]

ICFTU International Confederation of Free Trade Unions

Ichabod (ik´э bäd') a masculine name [Heb ī-khābhōdh, lit., according to pop. etym., inglorious: orig. meaning uncert.]

Ichikawa (i: chi:´kä wä') city in SE Honshu, Japan, east of Tokyo: pop. 382,000

Ichinomiya (i:'chi: nou´mi: yä') city in SE Honshu, Japan, northwest of Nagoya: pop. 254,000

ichneumon (ik nu:´mэn, -nyu:´-) •n. 1 the Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) 2 ICHNEUMON FLY [L < Gr ichneumōn, ichneumon, lit., tracker < ichneuein, to track out, hunt after < ichnos, a track, footprint (from its supposed practice of locating and destroying crocodile eggs)]

ichneumon fly any of a large family (Ichneumonidae) of hymenopteran insects whose larvae live as parasites in or on other insect larvae Also ichneumon wasp

ichnite (ik´nait') •n. a fossil footprint Also ich´no·lite' (-nou lait') [ICHN(O)- + -ITE¹]

ichno- (ik´nou, -nэ) combining form track, footprint, trace {ichnology} Also, before a vowel, ichn- [< Gr ichnos, footprint]

ichnography (ik näg´rэ fi:) •n. 1 a scale drawing of the ground plan of a building; floor plan 2 the art of drawing such plans [< Fr or L; Fr ichnographie < L ichnographia < Gr, a tracing out, ground plan: see ICHNO- & -GRAPHY]

ichnology (ik näl´э ji:) •n. the scientific study of fossil footprints ich'no·log´i·cal •adj. [ICHNO- + -LOGY]

ichor (ai´kör'; also ai´kэr) •n. 1 Gr. Myth. the ethereal fluid flowing instead of blood in the veins of the gods [Gr ichōr] 2 a thin, acrid, watery discharge from a wound or sore [ModL < Gr] i´chor·ous (-kэr эs) •adj.

ichthyic (ik´θi: ik) •adj. of or characteristic of a fish or fishes [ICHTHY(O)- + -IC]

ichthyo- (ik´θi: ou, -э) combining form fish {ichthyology} Also, before a vowel, ich·thy- [Gr < ichthys, a fish, akin to Lith žuvìs, Arm jukn, fish]

ichthyoid (ik´θi: oid') •adj. like a fish •n. a fishlike vertebrate [Gr ichthyoeidēs: see ICHTHYO- & -OID]

ichthyolite (ik´θi: ou lait', -θi: э-) •n. a fossil of a fish or of part of a fish [ModL: see ICHTHYO- & -LITE]

ichthyology (ik'θi: äl´э ji:) •n. the branch of zoology dealing with fishes, their structure, classification, and life history ich'thy·o·log´i·cal (-э läj´i kэl) or ich'thy·o·log´ic •adj. ich'thy·ol´o·gist •n. [ModL ichthyologia: see ICHTHYO- & -LOGY]

ichthyophagous (ik'θi: äf´э gэs) •adj. living on fish; fish-eating ich'thy·oph´a·gy (-ji:) •n. [Gr ichthyophagos: see ICHTHYO- & -PHAGOUS]

ichthyornis (ik'θi: ör´nis) •n. any of a genus (Ichthyornis) of prehistoric extinct birds, somewhat like a gull [ModL < ICHTHYO- + Gr ornis, bird]

ichthyosaur (ik´θi: ou sör', -θi: э-) •n. any of an extinct order (Ichthyosauria) of prehistoric marine reptiles, which had a fishlike body, four paddle-shaped flippers, and a dolphinlike head ich'thy·o·sau´ri·an (-sör´i: эn) •adj. [< ModL < ICHTHYO- + -SAUR]

ichthyosis (ik'θi: ou´sis) •n. a congenital, hereditary skin disease characterized by roughening and thickening of the horny layer of the skin, producing dryness and scaling ich'thy·ot´ic (-ät´ik) •adj. [ModL: see ICHTHY(O)- & -OSIS]

-ician (ish´эn) suffix a person engaged in, skilled in, or specializing in (a specified field) {beautician, phonetician} [Fr -icien: see -IC & -IAN]

icicle (ai´sik'эl, -si kэl) •n. a tapering, pointed, hanging piece of ice, formed by the freezing of dripping or falling water i´ci'cled •adj. [ME isikel < OE *īsgicel (akin to ON isjökull) < īs, ICE + gicel, piece of ice, icicle (Brit dial. ickle), akin to ON jökull, icicle, glacier, jaki, lump of ice < IE base *yeg-, ice > MIr aig, Welsh iā, ice, Cornish yeyn, cold]

icily (ai´sэ li:) •adv. in an icy manner; very coldly

iciness (ai´si: nis) •n. the quality or state of being icy

icing (ais´iŋ) •n. a mixture variously of sugar, butter, flavoring, water or other liquid, egg whites, etc. for covering a cake or pastries; frosting

ICJ International Court of Justice

ick (ik) •interj. an exclamation of disgust, horror, etc.

-ick (ik) suffix old sp. of -IC {magick}

icky (ik´i:) ick´i·er, ick´i·est •adj. [Slang] 1 unpleasantly sticky or gluey 2 cloyingly sweet or sentimental 3 very distasteful; disgusting ick´i·ly •adv. ick´i·ness •n. [baby talk, short for STICKY]

icon (ai´kän'; also ai´kэn) •n. 1 an image; figure; representation; specif., any of various stylized figures, as displayed on a microcomputer screen, representing available functions or resources 2 Eastern Orthodox Ch. an image or picture of Jesus, Mary, a saint, etc., venerated as sacred [L < Gr eikōn, an image, figure (in LGr, sacred image) < IE base *weik-, to resemble > Lith i-v##kti, to happen, become true]

iconic (ai kän´ik) •adj. 1 of, or having the nature of, an icon 2 done in a fixed or conventional style: said of certain statues and busts [LL iconicus < Gr eikonikos < eikōn, an image: see ICON]

Iconium (ai kou´ni: эm) Latin name of KONYA

icono- (ai kän´ou, -э) combining form image, likeness, figure {iconolatry} Also, before a vowel, icon- [< Gr eikōn, a figure, image: see ICON]

iconoclasm (ai kän´э klæz'эm) •n. the actions or beliefs of an iconoclast [< prec. + Gr klasma, a breaking < klaein: see ICONOCLAST]

iconoclast (ai kän´э klæst') •n. 1 one opposed to the religious use of images or advocating the destruction of such images 2 one who attacks and seeks to destroy widely accepted ideas, beliefs, etc. i·con'o·clas´tic •adj. i·con'o·clas´ti·cal·ly •adv. [ML iconoclastes < MGr eikonoklastēs < LGr eikōn (see ICON) + klaein, to break: for IE base see CALAMITY]

iconography (ai'kэ näg´rэ fi:) •n. 1 the art of representing or illustrating by pictures, figures, images, etc. 2 the study of symbols, themes, and subject matter in the visual arts through the identification, description, classification, and definition of these elements 3 pl. -phies icons collectively; esp., any system, use, or collection of symbols or images of a particular artist, artistic or historical period, religious tradition, etc. {Hindu iconography, the iconography of Blake} 4 ICONOLOGY i'co·nog´ra·pher •n. i·con·o·graph·ic (ai kän'э græf´ik) or i·con'o·graph´i·cal •adj. [ML iconographia < Gr eikonographia, a sketch, description: see ICONO- & -GRAPHY]

iconolatry (ai'kэ näl´э tri:) •n. the worship of images i'co·nol´a·ter •n. [ICONO- + -LATRY]

iconology (ai'kэ näl´э ji:) •n. 1 the study of the meaning of works of visual art through the analysis of subject matter, symbolism and imagery, style and medium, and historical context 2 ICONOGRAPHY i·con·o·log·i·cal (ai kän'э läj´i kэl) •adj. i'co·nol´o·gist •n. [ICONO- + -LOGY]

iconoscope (ai kän´э skoup') •n. a television camera electron tube, consisting of a vacuum tube enclosing a photosensitive plate on which the image is projected and an electron gun that scans the image with a narrow focused beam [ICONO- + -SCOPE]

iconostasis (ai'kэ näs´tэ sis) pl. -ses' (-si:z') Eastern Orthodox Ch. a partition or screen, decorated with icons, separating the sanctuary from the rest of the church Also i·con·o·stas (ai kän´э stæs') •n. [ModGr(Ec) eikonostasis < Gr eikōn, an image + stasis, a standing < histanai, to STAND]

icosahedron (ai'kou sэ hi:´drэn) pl. -he´dra (-drэ) •n.or -drons a solid figure with twenty plane surfaces i'co·sa·he´dral •adj. [Gr eikosaedron: see ICOSI- & -HEDRON]

icosi- (ai´kou si:, -sэ) combining form twenty Also i´co·sa- (-sэ) or, before a vowel, icos- [Gr eikosi- < eikosi, twenty < IE *wikmti, twenty < wi-, two + *dle##t- < base *de##, TEN]

-ics (iks) suffix forming nouns 1 [usually with sing. v.] art, science, study {mathematics} 2 [usually with sing. v.] arrangement, system {hydroponics} 3 [usually with pl. v.] activities, practices {politics} 4 [usually with pl. v.] qualities, properties {atmospherics} [-IC + -S (pl.): used as transl. of Gr -ika (L -ica), neut. pl. of -ikos (L -icus)]

icteric (ik ter´ik) •adj. relating to or having jaundice [L ictericus < Gr ikterikos < ikteros, jaundice]

icterus (ik´tэr эs) •n. JAUNDICE [ModL < Gr ikteros, jaundice]

Ictinus (ik tai´nэs) 5th cent. B.C.; Gr. architect who designed the Parthenon

ictus (ik´tэs) pl. -tus·es or -tus •n. 1 rhythmic or metrical stress, or accent 2 Med. a convulsion, stroke, or sudden attack [L, a blow, stroke, metrical stress < pp. of icere, to strike, hit, beat < IE base *aik-, *ik-, spear, to strike with a sharp weapon > Gr aichmē, a spear]

ICU intensive care unit

icy (ai´si:) i´ci·er, i´ci·est •adj. 1 having much ice; full of or covered with ice 2 of or like ice; specif., a) slippery b) very cold; frigid 3 cold in manner or attitude; unfriendly [ME isy < OE isig]

id (id) •n. Psychoanalysis that part of the psyche which is regarded as the reservoir of the instinctual drives and the source of psychic energy: it is dominated by the pleasure principle and irrational wishing, and its impulses are controlled through the development of the ego and superego [ModL < L, it, neut. sing. of is, he: used as transl. of Ger es, it] ID abbrev. 1 Idaho 2 identification 3 Intelligence Department ID (ai´di:´) pl. ID's •n. Æ a card (ID card) or document, as a birth certificate, that serves to identify a person, prove his or her age, etc.

-id (id, эd) suffix 1 a thing belonging to or connected with; specif., a) Astron. a meteor that seems to radiate from a (specified) constellation {Leonid} b) Biol. a particle or body {energid} c) Med. an allergic reaction of the skin to (specified) bacteria, fungi, etc. in the body [< L -is, pl. -ides < Gr -is, pl. -idēs, patronymic suffix] 2 an animal or plant belonging to a (specified) group {ephemerid} [< ModL -idae: see -IDAE] 3 Chem. -IDE

I'd (aid) 1 I had 2 I would 3 I should

id est (id est) that is (to say) [L]

Id or Ida abbrev. Idaho

id. the same [L idem]

Ida (ai´dэ) 1 Mount highest mountain in Crete, in the central part: 8,058 ft. (2,456 m) 2 Mount mountain in NW Asia Minor, in ancient Phrygia & Mysia near the site of Troy: c. 5,800 ft. (1,767 m): Turk. name KAZDAĞI Ida (ai´dэ) a feminine name [ML < OHG: akin ? to ON Ithunn, goddess of youth]

-idae (i di:') suffix forming the scientific names of zoological families {Canidae is the name of the canine family} [ModL, pl. of L -ides < Gr -idēs, patronymic suffix]

Idaho (ai´dэ hou') Mountain State of the NW U.S.: admitted, 1890; 83,557 sq. mi. (217,248 sq. km); pop. 1,007,000; cap. Boise: abbrev. ID, Id, or Ida I'da·ho´an •adj., n. [< tribal (Shoshonean) name < ?]

Idaho Falls city in SE Ida., on the Snake River: pop. 44,000

-ide (aid; occas. id) Chem. suffix 1 forming the second word in the name of a binary compound: added to part of the name of the nonmetallic or electronegative element or radical {sodium chloride, potassium hydroxide} 2 forming the name of any of certain classes of related compounds {glucoside} [< (OX)IDE]

idea (ai di:´э) •n. 1 something one thinks, knows, or imagines; a thought; mental conception or image; notion 2 an opinion or belief 3 a plan; scheme; project; intention; aim 4 a hazy perception; vague impression; fanciful notion; inkling 5 meaning or significance 6 Music a theme or figure 7 Philos. according to Plato, any of the unchanging, eternal, intelligible models or archetypes of which all material things are only imperfect imitations and from which their existence derives: in modern philosophy, used variously to mean the immediate object of thought, absolute truth, etc. SYN.—idea, the most general of these terms, may be applied to anything existing in the mind as an object of knowledge or thought; concept refers to a generalized idea of a class of objects, based on knowledge of particular instances of the class [his concept of a republic]; conception, often equivalent to concept, specifically refers to something conceived in the mind, or imagined [my conception of how the role should be played]; thought is used of any idea, whether or not expressed, that occurs to the mind in reasoning or contemplation [she rarely speaks her thoughts]; notion implies vagueness or incomplete intention [I had a notion to go]; impression also implies vagueness of an idea provoked by some external stimulus [I have the impression that she's unhappy] [L < Gr, form or appearance of a thing as opposed to its reality < IE *widswo- < base *weid-, to see, know > L videre, to see, Gr idein, to see, OE witan, to know]

ideal (ai di:´эl, -di:l´; ai´-) •adj. 1 existing as an idea, model, or archetype; consisting of ideas: see IDEA (sense 7) 2 thought of as perfect or as a perfect model; exactly as one would wish; of a perfect kind 3 of, or having the nature of, an idea or conception; identifying or illustrating an idea or conception; conceptual 4 existing only in the mind as an image, fancy, or concept; visionary; imaginary 5 Philos. of idealism; idealistic •n. 1 a conception of something in its most excellent or perfect form 2 a person or thing regarded as fulfilling this conception; perfect model 3 something that exists only in the mind 4 a goal or principle, esp. one of a noble character [Fr idéal < LL idealis, existing in idea, ideal < L idea: see IDEA]

ideal point a point at infinity usually thought of as being infinitely distant from the other points of a geometric system

idealism (ai di:´эl iz'эm) •n. 1 behavior or thought based on a conception of things as they should be or as one would wish them to be; idealization 2 a striving to achieve one's ideals 3 imaginative treatment in art that seeks to show the artist's or author's conception of perfection; representation of imagined types, or ideals: cf. REALISM 4 Philos. any of various theories which hold that: a) things exist only as ideas in the mind rather than as material objects independent of the mind (cf. REALISM) b) things in the material world are actually manifestations of an independent realm of unchanging, immaterial models or forms (cf. MATERIALISM) [Fr idéalisme or Ger idealismus]

idealist (ai di:´эl ist) •n. 1 a) a person whose behavior or thought is based on ideals b) one who follows his ideals to the point of impracticality; visionary or dreamer 2 an adherent or practitioner of idealism in art or philosophy •adj. IDEALISTIC

idealistic (ai'di: эl is´tik, ai di:'э-) •adj. 1 of or characteristic of an idealist 2 of, characterized by, or based on idealism i'de·al·is´ti·cal·ly •adv.

ideality (ai'di: æl´э ti:) •n. 1 the state or quality of being ideal or of existing only in the mind 2 pl. -ties something that is only ideal and has no reality

idealize (ai di:´эl aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to make ideal; think of or represent as ideal; regard or show as perfect or more nearly perfect than is true •vi. 1 to form an ideal or ideals 2 to represent things in the manner of an idealist i·de'al·i·za´tion •n. i·de´al·iz'er •n.

ideally (ai di:´эl i:) •adv. 1 in accordance with an ideal or ideals; in an ideal manner; perfectly 2 in theory

ideate (ai´di: eit', ai di:´eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vt., vi. to form an ideal (of); imagine or conceive

ideation (ai'di: ei´shэn) •n. the formation or conception of ideas by the mind i'de·a´tion·al •adj. [ML ideatio]

idée fixe (i: dei fi:ks´) a fixed idea; obsession [Fr]

idée reçue (i: dei řэ sü´) a generally accepted idea; convention; commonplace [Fr, lit., received idea]

idem (ai´dem', i:´-) pron. the same as mentioned [L: see IDENTITY]

identic (ai den´tik, i-) •adj. identical; esp., having exactly the same wording, form, etc.: said of diplomatic messages or action by two or more governments [ML identicus < LL identitas: see IDENTITY]

identical (ai den´ti kэl; i-, э-) •adj. 1 the very same 2 exactly alike or equal: often followed by with or to 3 designating twins, always of the same sex, developed from a single fertilized ovum and very much alike in physical appearance: cf. FRATERNAL (sense 3) SYN. SAME i·den´ti·cal·ly •adv. [prec. + -AL]

identical proposition Logic a proposition whose subject and predicate are identical in content and extent (Ex.: that which is mortal is not immortal)

identification (ai den'tэ fi kei´shэn; i-, э-) •n. 1 an identifying or being identified 2 anything by which a person or thing can be identified {a driver's license is accepted as identification} 3 Psychoanalysis a mainly unconscious process by which a person formulates a mental image of another person and then thinks, feels, and acts in a way which resembles this image [Fr]

identify (ai den´tэ fai'; i-, э-) -fied', -fy'ing •vt. 1 to make identical; consider or treat as the same {to identify one's interests with another's} 2 to recognize as being or show to be the very person or thing known, described, or claimed; fix the identity of {to identify a biological specimen} 3 to connect, associate, or involve closely {to identify a person with a school of thought} 4 Psychoanalysis to make an identification of (oneself) with someone else: often used absolutely •vi. to put oneself in another's place, so as to understand and share the other's thoughts, feelings, problems, etc.; sympathize (with) i·den'ti·fi´a·ble •adj. i·den´ti·fi'er •n. [LL identificare: see IDENTITY & -FY]

Identikit (ai den´tэ kit'; i-) trademark for a set of transparencies carrying drawings of types of eyes, noses, mouths, etc. that can be variously overlaid to form a composite picture from descriptions given, as of a person sought by the police •adj. [often i-] 1 designating or of a picture made from such a set 2 like or suggesting such a composite picture, as of traits or qualities arbitrarily put together to form a type {an identikit lawyer} [IDENTI(FICATION) + KIT¹]

identity (ai den´tэ ti:; i-, э-) pl. -ties •n. 1 the condition or fact of being the same or exactly alike; sameness; oneness {groups united by identity of interests} 2 a) the condition or fact of being a specific person or thing; individuality b) the condition of being the same as a person or thing described or claimed 3 Math. an equation which is true for all permissible sets of values of the variables which appear in it: Ex.: x² - y²= (x + y) (x - y) [Fr identité < LL identitas, coined (prob. infl. by LL essentitas, essence) < L idem, the same, akin to Sans idám, the same < IE base *e-, *ei-, he, that > Sans ayám, OIr ē, Goth is, he]

identity crisis the condition of being uncertain of one's feelings about oneself, esp. with regard to character, goals, and origins, occurring esp. in adolescence as a result of growing up under disruptive, fast-changing conditions [coined by E. Erikson (1902- ), U.S. psychoanalyst]

identity element an element of a mathematical system that does not change the other elements in the system when it operates on them: zero is the identity element for addition (x + 0 = x) and one is the identity element for multiplication (y X 1 = y)

ideo- (id´i: ou', -э; ai´di: ou', -э) combining form idea {ideology} [< Fr or Gr: Fr idéo- < Gr idea]

ideogram (id´i: ou græm', -i: э-; ai´di:-) •n. 1 a graphic symbol representing an object or idea without expressing, as in a phonetic system, the sounds that form its name 2 a symbol representing an idea rather than a word (Ex.: 5, +, ÷) Also id´e·o·graph' [prec. + -GRAM]

ideographic (id'i: ou græf´ik, -i: э-; ai'di:-) •adj. of, or having the nature of, an ideogram or ideography Also id'e·o·graph´i·cal id'e·o·graph´i·cal·ly •adv.

ideography (id'i: äg´rэ fi:, ai'di:-) •n. the use of ideograms; representation of objects or ideas by graphic symbols

ideologue (id´i: э lög', ai´di:-) •n. 1 a zealous exponent or advocate of a specified ideology 2 a student of or expert in ideology [Fr idéologue, back-form. < idéologie: see IDEOLOGY]

ideology (ai'di: äl´э ji:, id'i:-) pl. -gies •n. 1 the study of ideas, their nature and source 2 thinking or theorizing of an idealistic, abstract, or impractical nature; fanciful speculation 3 the doctrines, opinions, or way of thinking of an individual, class, etc.; specif., the body of ideas on which a particular political, economic, or social system is based i'de·o·log´i·cal or i'de·o·log´ic •adj. i'de·o·log´ical·ly •adv. i'de·ol´o·gist •n. i'de·ol´o·gize', -gized', -giz'ing, •vt. [Fr idéologie: see IDEO- & -LOGY]

ideomotor (id´i: ou'mout'эr, -i: э-; ai´di:-) •adj. Psychol. designating or of an unconscious body movement made in response to an idea [IDEO- + MOTOR]

ideophone (id´i: ou foun', -i: э-; ai´di:-) •n. Linguis. a form that conveys an idea or impression, as in certain African languages, by means of a sound, often reduplicated, that suggests an action, quality, manner, etc. [IDEO- + PHONE¹]

ides (aidz) •n.pl. [often with sing. v.] [sometimes I-] in the ancient Roman calendar, the 15th day of March, May, July, or October, or the 13th of the other months [Fr < L idus]

idio- (id´i: ou', -э) combining form one's own, personal, distinct {idiomorphic} [Gr idio- < idios, one's own < IE *swedyos < base *swe-, poss. > L suus, his, her, one's, OE swæs, beloved, own]

idioblast (id´i: ou blæst') •n. a specialized plant cell, usually thick-walled and without chlorophyll, occurring isolated among other cells of different type [prec. + -BLAST]

idiocy (id´i: э si:) •n. 1 the state of being an idiot 2 behavior like that of an idiot; great foolishness or stupidity 3 pl. -cies an idiotic act or remark [IDIO(T) + -CY]

idiolect (id´i: ou lekt', -i: э-) •n. Linguis. the dialect of an individual [IDIO- + (DIA)LECT]

idiom (id´i: эm) •n. 1 the language or dialect of a people, region, class, etc. 2 the usual way in which the words of a particular language are joined together to express thought 3 a phrase, construction, or expression that is recognized as a unit in the usage of a given language and either differs from the usual syntactic patterns or has a meaning that differs from the literal meaning of its parts taken together (Ex.: not a word did she say; she heard it straight from the horse's mouth) 4 the style of expression characteristic of an individual {the idiom of Carlyle} 5 a characteristic style, as in art or music [< Fr & LL: Fr idiome < LL idioma < Gr idiōma, peculiarity, idiom < idios: see IDIO-]

idiomatic (id'i: э mæt´ik) •adj. 1 in accordance with the individual nature of a language; characteristic of a particular language 2 using or having many idioms 3 of, or having the nature of, an idiom or idioms id'i·o·mat´i·cal·ly •adv. [Gr idiōmatikos, peculiar, characteristic]

idiomorphic (id'i: ou'mör´fik, -i: э-) •adj. 1 having its own proper form 2 Mineralogy having the normal faces characteristic of a particular mineral: said of crystals in rock that have developed without interference [IDIO- + -MORPHIC]

idiopathic (-pæθ´ik) •adj. designating or of a disease whose cause is unknown or uncertain id'i·op´a·thy (-äp´э θi:), pl. -thies, •n. [< Gr idiopatheia, feeling for oneself alone (see IDIO- & -PATHY) + -IC]

idioplasm (id´i: ou'plæz'эm, -i: э-) •n. the chromatin in a cell regarded as the part of the cell transmitting hereditary qualities: cf. TROPHOPLASM [IDIO- + -PLASM]

idiosyncrasy (id'i: ou' siŋ´krэ si:, -sin´-; -i: э-) pl. -sies •n. 1 the temperament or mental constitution peculiar to a person or group 2 any personal peculiarity, mannerism, etc. 3 an individual reaction to a drug, food, etc. that is different from the reaction of most people id'i·o·syn·crat´ic (-sin kræt´ik) •adj. id'i·o·syn·crat´i·cal·ly •adv. SYN.—idiosyncrasy refers to any personal mannerism or peculiarity and connotes strong individuality [the idiosyncrasies of a writer's style]; eccentricity implies considerable deviation from what is normal or customary and connotes whimsicality or even mental aberration [his eccentricity of wearing overshoes in the summer] [Gr idiosynkrasia < idio-, one's own, peculiar (see IDIO-) + synkrasis, a mixing together, tempering < synkerannynai, to mix together < syn-, together + kerannynai, to mix < IE *ere-, to mix > RARE³, Ger rühren, to stir]

idiot (id´i: эt) •n. 1 [Obs.] a retarded person mentally equal or inferior to a child two years old: see MENTAL RETARDATION 2 a very foolish or stupid person [ME idiote < OFr < L idiota, ignorant and common person < Gr idiōtēs, layman, ignorant person < idios, one's own, peculiar: see IDIO-]

idiot board (or card) [Slang] a board, placard, etc. bearing the lines to be spoken by a television performer, used in prompting

idiot box [Slang] television or a television set

idiot savant (i:'di: ou' sæ väñ´, -vänt´; Fr i: dyou så väñ´) pl. i'di·ot' sa·vants´ (-väñ´, -vänts´) or Fr. i·diots sa·vants (i: dyou så väñ´) a mentally retarded person who possesses some remarkable special aptitude, as for memorization or rapid mental calculation [Fr, lit., wise idiot]

idiotic (id'i: ät´ik) •adj. of, having the nature of, or characteristic of an idiot; very foolish or stupid id'i·ot´i·cal·ly •adv. [L idioticus, uneducated, ignorant < Gr idiōtikos, private, peculiar, rude]

idiotism (id´i: эt iz'эm) •n. 1 [Archaic] IDIOCY 2 [Obs.] IDIOM [Fr idiotisme: see IDIOT & -ISM]

idle (aid´ªl) i´dler, i´dlest •adj. 1 a) having no value, use, or significance; worthless; useless {idle talk} b) vain; futile; pointless {an idle wish} 2 baseless; unfounded {idle rumors} 3 a) unemployed; not busy b) inactive; not in use {idle machines} c) not filled with activity {idle hours} 4 not inclined to work; lazy 5 designating certain parts of a fuel system that set an engine's idling speed •vi. i´dled, i´dling [< the adj.: parallel with OE idlian, to come to nothing, be useless] 1 to move slowly or aimlessly; loaf 2 to spend time unprofitably; be unemployed or inactive 3 to operate without transmitting power; esp., to operate a motor vehicle's engine while the vehicle is not moving •vt. 1 to waste; squander: usually with away {to idle away one's youth} 2 to cause (a motor, etc.) to idle 3 to cause to be inactive or unemployed •n. the state or act of idling {an engine at idle} SYN. LOITER, VAIN i´dle·ness •n. i´dly •adv. [ME idel < OE, empty, akin to Ger eitel, vain, empty < ? IE base *ai-dh, to burn, shine: basic sense, either only apparent, seeming or burned out]

idler (aid´lэr, aid´ªl эr) •n. 1 a person who wastes time and does no work; lazy person 2 a) a gear placed between two others to transfer motion from one to the other without changing their direction or speed (also idler gear (or wheel) or idle wheel) b) a pulley riding loosely on a shaft, pressing against a belt to guide it or take up the slack (also idler pulley)

idlesse (aid´les') •n. [Old Poet.] idleness; indolence [< IDLE + -ESS: a pseudo-archaic coinage]

Ido (i:´dou) •n. an invented language based on Esperanto, constructed around 1907 by Louis de Beaufront, a French logician, for proposed use as an international auxiliary language [an Esperanto affix used as a complete word, meaning offspring]

idocrase (ai´dou kreis', id´ou-) •n. VESUVIANITE [Fr < Gr eidos, form (see -OID) + krasis, mixture]

idol (aid´ªl) •n. 1 an image of a god, used as an object or instrument of worship 2 in monotheistic belief, any heathen deity 3 any object of ardent or excessive devotion or admiration 4 a false notion or idea that causes errors in thinking or reasoning 5 [Archaic] anything that has no substance but can be seen, as an image in a mirror 6 [Obs.] a) any image or effigy b) an impostor [ME idole < OFr < L idolum, an image, form, specter, apparition (in LL(Ec), idol) < Gr eidōlon, an image, phantom (in LGr(Ec), idol) < eidos, form: see -OID]

idolater (ai däl´э tэr) •n. 1 a person who worships an idol or idols 2 a devoted admirer; adorer i·dol´a·tress (-tris) •n.fem. [ME idolatre < OFr < LL(Ec) idololatres < LGr(Ec) eidōlolatrēs < Gr eidōlon (see IDOL) + latris, hired servant < latron, wages: see LARCENY]

idolatrize (ai däl´э traiz') -trized', -triz'ing •vt., vi. to worship as an idolater

idolatrous (ai däl´э trэs) •adj. 1 of, or having the nature of, idolatry 2 worshiping an idol or idols 3 having or showing excessive admiration or devotion i·dol´a·trous·ly •adv. i·dol´a·trous·ness •n.

idolatry (ai däl´э tri:) pl. -tries •n. 1 worship of idols 2 excessive devotion to or reverence for some person or thing [ME idolatrie < OFr < LL(Ec) idolatria < Gr(N.T.) eidōlolatreia: see IDOLATER]

idolism (aid´ªl iz'эm) •n. 1 IDOLATRY 2 [Archaic] a fallacious notion; false reasoning

idolize (aid´ªl aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to make an idol of 2 to love or admire excessively; adore •vi. to worship idols i'dol·i·za´tion •n.

Idomeneus (ai däm´i nu:s', -nyu:s') Gr. Legend a king of Crete and leader of his subjects against Troy in the Trojan War

Idumaea or Idumea (id'yu: mi:´э, i'ju:-; ai'dyu:-, ai'ju:-) Gr. name of EDOM Id'u·mae´an or Id'u·me´an •adj., n.

Idun (i:´du:n') Norse Myth. the goddess of spring, keeper of the golden apples of youth, and wife of Bragi Also I·du·na (i:´du: nä')

idyll or idyl (aid´ªl; Brit id´ªl) •n. 1 a short poem or prose work describing a simple, peaceful scene of rural or pastoral life 2 a scene or incident suitable for such a work 3 a narrative poem somewhat like a short epic {Tennyson's Idylls of the King} 4 Music a simple, pastoral composition [L idyllium < Gr eidyllion, dim. of eidos, a form, figure, image: see -OID]

idyllic (ai dil´ik) •adj. 1 of, or having the nature of, an idyll 2 pleasing and simple; pastoral or picturesque 3 romantic i·dyl´li·cal·ly •adv.

idyllist (aid´ªl ist) •n. a writer or composer of idylls

IE Indo-European

-ie (i:) suffix forming nouns 1 small or little (person or thing specified): often used to express affection {doggie, lassie} 2 a) one that is as specified {softie} b) one connected with {groupie, townie, roadie} [earlier form of -Y¹: revitalized in contr. MOVIE]

Ieper (i:´pэř) Fl. name of YPRES

-ier (i:´эr, yэr; ir, эr) suffix forming nouns a person concerned with (a specified action or thing) {furrier, bombardier, glazier} [< various sources: 1. ME < OFr < L -arius; 2. Fr < OFr as in 1, with the primary stress in Eng on the suffix; 3. ME var. of -ER; 4. ME < -I- ending of prec. stem + -er]

if (if) conj. 1 on condition that; in case that; supposing that {if I come, I'll see him; if I were you, I wouldn't do that} 2 allowing that; granting that {if she was there, I didn't see her} 3 whether: used to introduce an indirect question {ask him if he knows her} If is also used to introduce an exclamation expressing a wish [if I had only known!] or surprise, annoyance, etc. [well, if that isn't the limit!] •n. 1 a supposition or speculation 2 a condition or qualification {a clause filled with ifs} as if as the situation would be if; as though [ME < OE gif, akin to Ger ob (OHG oba, ibu, Goth ibai): ult. source uncert.] if abbrev. 1 Baseball infield 2 intermediate frequency

IFC International Finance Corporation

Ife (i:´fei') city in SW Nigeria, near Ibadan: pop. 176,000

IFF Identification, Friend or Foe: an electronic system for recognition of friendly aircraft, ships, etc.

iffy (if´i:) •adj. [Colloq.] not definite; containing doubtful elements; dependent upon varying conditions {an iffy situation} [see IF & -Y³]

Ifni (i:f´ni:) former Spanish province in NW Africa, ceded to Morocco in 1969: 580 sq. mi. (1,500 sq. km)

IFR Instrument Flight Rules

IG 1 imperial gallon 2 Inspector General

Igbo (ig´bou') •n. IBO

Igdrasil (ig´drэ sil') YGDRASIL

igloo (ig´lu:') pl. -loos' •n. 1 an Eskimo house or hut, usually dome-shaped and built of blocks of packed snow 2 any dome-shaped building, esp. one used for storage [Esk igdlu, snow house]

ign 1 ignition 2 unknown [L ignotus, pp. of ignoscere < i- (for in-), not + gnoscere, KNOW]

Ignatius (ig nei´shэs) 1 a masculine name [L] 2 Saint (c. A.D. 50-c. 110); Christian martyr & bishop of Antioch: his day is Oct. 17

Ignatius (of) Loyola , Saint (born Iñigo López de Recalde) 1491-1556; Sp. priest: founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuit order): his day is July 31

igneous (ig´ni: эs) •adj. 1 of, containing, or having the nature of, fire; fiery 2 produced by the action of fire; specif., formed by volcanic action or intense heat, as rocks solidified from molten magma at or below the surface of the earth [L igneus < ignis, a fire < IE base *egnis > Sans agníh, fire, Lith ugnìs]

ignescent (ig nes´эnt) •adj. 1 bursting into flame 2 giving off sparks when struck with steel •n. an ignescent substance [L ignescens, prp. of ignescere, to take fire, burn < ignis: see IGNEOUS]

ignis fatuus (ig´nis fæch´u: эs) pl. ig·nes fat·u·i (ig´ni:z fæch´u: ai') 1 JACK-O'-LANTERN (sense 1) 2 a deceptive hope, goal, or influence; delusion [ML < L ignis, a fire + fatuus, foolish]

ignite (ig nait´) -nit´ed, -nit´ing •vt. 1 to set fire to; cause to burn 2 to heat to a great degree; make glow with heat 3 to arouse the feelings of; excite •vi. to catch on fire; start burning ig·nit´a·ble or ig·nit´i·ble •adj. ig·nit´er or ig·ni´tor •n. [< L ignitus, pp. of ignire, to set on fire < ignis: see IGNEOUS]

ignition (ig nish´эn) •n. 1 a setting on fire or catching on fire 2 the means by which a thing is ignited 3 in an internal-combustion engine, a) the igniting of the explosive mixture in the cylinder b) the device or system for doing this; esp. the key-operated switch 4 Chem. the heating of a compound or mixture to the point of complete combustion, complete chemical change, or complete removal of volatile material •adj. designating certain parts of an engine causing ignition [ModL (Paracelsus) ignitio < L ignitus: see IGNITE]

ignitron (ig nai´trän') •n. a type of mercury-arc rectifier tube having a mercury-pool cathode and a single graphite anode: when a current is passed through an igniter rod into the pool, the mercury vapor is ionized and an arc starts between the cathode and anode: used in resistance welders, the control equipment for much high-energy research apparatus, etc. [IGNI(TE) + (ELEC)TRON]

ignoble (ig nou´bэl) •adj. 1 not noble in birth or position; of the common people 2 not noble in character or quality; dishonorable; base; mean SYN. BASE² ig·no´ble·ness •n. ig·no´bly •adv. [MFr < L ignobilis, unknown, obscure < IN-², not + nobilis (OL gnobilis), known: see NOBLE]

ignominious (ig'nэ min´i: эs) •adj. 1 characterized by or bringing on ignominy; shameful; dishonorable; disgraceful 2 contemptible; despicable 3 degrading; humiliating ig'no·min´i·ous·ly •adv. ig'no·min´i·ous·ness •n. [Fr ignominieux < L ignominiosus]

ignominy (ig´nэ min'i:) pl. -min'ies •n. 1 loss of one's reputation; shame and dishonor; infamy 2 disgraceful, shameful, or contemptible quality, behavior, or act [Fr ignominie < L ignominia < in-, no, not + nomen, NAME]

ignoramus (ig'nэ rei´mэs, -ræm´эs; ig´nэ rei'mэs, -ræm'эs) pl. -mus·es •n. an ignorant and stupid person [< the name of a lawyer in Geo. Ruggle's play Ignoramus (1615); L, lit., we take no notice (a legal term formerly written on a bill of indictment by a grand jury that finds it to be not a true bill)]

ignorance (ig´nэ rэns) •n. 1 the condition or quality of being ignorant; lack of knowledge, education, etc. 2 unawareness (of) [OFr < L ignorantia]

ignorant (ig´nэ rэnt) •adj. 1 a) having little knowledge, education, or experience; uneducated; inexperienced b) lacking knowledge (in a particular area or matter) 2 caused by or showing lack of knowledge or education 3 unaware (of) ig´no·rant·ly •adv. SYN.—ignorant implies a lack of knowledge, either generally [an ignorant man] or on some particular subject [ignorant of the reason for their quarrel]; illiterate implies a failure to conform to some standard of knowledge, esp. an inability to read or write; unlettered, sometimes a milder term for illiterate, often implies unfamiliarity with fine literature [although a graduate engineer, he is relatively unlettered]; uneducated and untutored imply a lack of formal or systematic education, as of that acquired in schools [his brilliant, though uneducated mind]; unlearned suggests a lack of learning, either generally or in some specific subject [unlearned in science] —ANT. educated, learned [OFr < L ignorans, prp. of ignorare: see IGNORE]

ignoratio elenchi (ig'nou rä´ti: ou' ei len´ki:') Logic a fallacious argument in which the conclusion reached or proposition proved is irrelevant to the matter at hand [L, ignorance of the refutation]

ignore (ig nör´) -nored´, -nor´ing •vt. 1 to disregard deliberately; pay no attention to; refuse to consider 2 Law to reject (a bill of indictment) for lack of evidence SYN. NEGLECT ig·nor´er •n. [Fr ignorer < L ignorare, to have no knowledge of, ignore < in-, not + base of gnarus, knowing < IE base *Gnā-, *gnō-, KNOW]

Igorot (i:'gou rout´, ig'э-) •n. 1 pl. -rots´ or -rot´ a member of any of several indigenous peoples of the highlands of N Luzon, in the Philippines 2 any of the Western Austronesian languages of these people [Sp Igorrote, prob. < Igolot, name used in certain older records: of Tagalog orig.]

Igraine (i: grein´) Arthurian Legend the mother of King Arthur [akin ? to OFr Iguerne < ? Celt]

Iguaçú (i:'gwä su:´) river in S Brazil, flowing into the Paraná River on the border of NE Argentina: c. 800 mi. (1,290 km): contains Iguaçú Falls, c. 2.5 mi. (3.5 km) wide, composed of more than 200 cataracts averaging 200 ft. (61 m) in height: also sp. I'gua·zú´ or I'guas·sú´

iguana (i gwä´nэ, i:-) •n. any of a large family (Iguanidae) of mostly American tree, ground, or marine lizards; esp., any of a genus (Iguana) of harmless, large, tropical American lizards that feed on insects or vegetation and have a row of spines from neck to tail [Sp < native SAm (Arawak) iuana]

iguanodon (i gwæn´э dän', i:-) •n. any of a genus (Iguanodon) of very large, vegetarian, two-footed ornithopod dinosaurs Also i·guan´o·dont' (-dänt') [ModL < prec. + -ODON(T)]

IGY International Geophysical Year (July 1, 1957- December 31, 1958)

IH Indo-Hittite

ihp indicated horsepower

ihram (i: räm´) •n. 1 a costume worn by Muslim pilgrims to Mecca, consisting of one piece of white cotton around the waist and hips and another over the shoulder 2 the restrictions and rules that must be observed by a pilgrim so dressed [Ar ihrām, a prohibiting < harama, to forbid]

IHS a contraction derived from the Greek word ΙΗΣ ΟΨΣ, Jesus, used as a symbol or monogram: later misunderstood as a Latin abbreviation I.H.S. and expanded variously as Iesus Hominum Salvator, Jesus, Savior of Men; In Hoc Signo (Vinces), in this sign (thou shalt conquer); In Hac (Cruce) Salus, in this (cross) salvation [< L miscopying of ΙΗΣ, for which the proper L form would be IES]

IJssel (ai´sэl) river in the E Netherlands, flowing from the Rhine north into the IJsselmeer: 72 mi. (115 km): also sp. Ijs´sel or Ij´sel

IJsselmeer (-meř´) shallow freshwater lake in N & central Netherlands: formerly part of the Zuider Zee, until cut off by a dam (1932): also sp. Ijs´sel·meer' or Ij´sel·meer'

ikebana (i:'ke bä´nä) •n. the Japanese art of arranging cut flowers in rhythmic, decorative designs [Jpn]

Ikhnaton (ik nät´ªn) died c. 1362 B.C.; king of Egypt (as Amenhotep IV, c. 1376-c. 1362) & religious reformer

ikon (ai´kän'; also ai´kэn) •n. alt. sp. of ICON

IL Illinois

-il (il) suffix -ILE {civil, fossil}

il- (il) prefix 1 IN-¹ {illuminate} 2 IN-² {illiterate} Used before l

ILA International Longshoremen's Association

ilang-ilang (i:´läŋ'i:´läŋ') •n. alt. sp. of YLANG-YLANG

-ile (il, эl, ªl, ail) suffix forming adjectives of, having to do with, that can be, like, suitable for {docile, missile} [< Fr or L: Fr -il, ile < L -ilis]

Île du Diable (i:l dü dyå´blª) Fr. name of DEVIL'S ISLAND

ileac (il´i: æk') •adj. of or having to do with the ileum Also il´e·al (-эl)

Île-de-France (i:l dэ fřäñs´) 1 historical region of NC France, surrounding Paris 2 metropolitan region of modern France, in the same general area; 4,637 sq. mi. (12,012 sq. km); pop. 10,147,000; chief city, Paris

ileitis (il'i: ait´is) •n. inflammation of the ileum

ileo- (il´i: ou', -э) combining form 1 ileum {ileostomy} 2 ileum and Also, before a vowel, il·e-

ileostomy (il'i: äs´tэ mi:) •n. the surgical operation of making an opening in the ileum

ileum (il´i: эm) pl. il´e·a (-э) •n. the lowest part of the small intestine, opening into the large intestine: see INTESTINE, illus. [ModL < L, flank, groin (var. of ilium, ile): form prob. infl. by ileus (see ILEUS) < ?]

ileus (il´i: эs) •n. an abnormal condition caused by paralysis or obstruction of the intestines and resulting in the failure of intestinal contents to pass through properly [ModL < L ileus, ileos < Gr eileos, colic, altered (infl. by eilein, to twist) < eilyos < eilyein, to envelop, creep along < IE *wel-, to turn, roll > WALK]

ilex (ai´leks') •n. 1 HOLLY 2 HOLM OAK [L, holm oak]

ILGWU International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union

iliac (il´i: æk') •adj. of or near the ilium [LL iliacus, relating to colic < L ileus (see ILEUS), but with meaning as if < L ileum]

Iliad (il´i: эd) •n. a long Greek epic poem, ascribed to Homer, dealing with events near the end of the Trojan War [L Ilias (gen. Iliadis < Gr Ilias (poiēsis), (poem) concerning Troy < Ilios, Ilium, Troy]

Iliamna (il'i: æm´nэ) lake in SW Alas., at the base of the Alaska Peninsula: 1,000 sq. mi. (2,589 sq. km) [< Eskimo: named for a mythical great fish of the lake]

ilio- (il´i: ou, -э) combining form 1 ilium 2 iliac and

-ility (il´i ti:, il´э-) suffix forming nouns the quality of being (as specified) {civility} Corresponds to -ILE, -IL

ilium (il´i: эm) pl. il´i·a (-э) •n. the flat, uppermost portion of the three sections of the innominate bone [ModL: see ILEUM] Ilium (il´i: эm) Latin name for TROY [see ILIAD]

ilk¹ (ilk) •adj. [Obs.] same; like •n. kind; sort; class: only in of that (or his, her, etc.) ilk, of the same sort or class: from a misunderstanding of the phrase of that ilk as used in Scotland to mean of the same name (as the place he owns or from which he comes) [MacDonald of that ilk (i.e., MacDonald of MacDonald)] and often used disparagingly [Scot dial. < ME ilke < OE ilca, same; prob. < *ī-līca < ī-, lit., the + -lica, like: see LIKE¹]

ilk² (ilk) •adj. [Chiefly Scot.] each; every Also il·ka (il´kэ) [ME, Northern & Midlands var. of ilch, ælch < OE ælc: see EACH]

Ill Illinois ill (il) worse, worst •adj. 1 characterized by, causing, or tending to cause harm or evil; specif., a) morally bad or wrong; evil {ill repute} b) causing pain, hardship, etc.; adverse {ill fortune} c) not kind or friendly; harsh; cruel {ill will} d) promising trouble; unfavorable; unfortunate; unpropitious {an ill omen} 2 not healthy, normal, or well; having a disease; sick; indisposed 3 not according to rule, custom, desirability, etc.; faulty; imperfect {ill breeding} •n. anything causing harm, trouble, wrong, pain, unhappiness, etc.; specif., a) an evil or misfortune b) a disease •adv. worse, worst 1 in an ill manner; specif., a) badly; wrongly; improperly; imperfectly {ill-gotten gains} b) harshly; cruelly; unkindly {ill-spoken} 2 with difficulty; scarcely {they can ill afford to refuse} SYN. BAD¹, SICK¹ go ill with to be unfortunate for or unfavorable to ill at ease uneasy; uncomfortable take ill to be annoyed or offended at [ME < ON illr (replacing OE yfel, evil, in many senses): prob. < Gmc *ilhila < IE base *elk-, hungry, bad > OIr elc, bad] ill abbrev. 1 illustrated 2 illustration 3 illustrator

I'll (ail; unstressed, äl, эl) 1 I shall 2 I will

ill fame bad reputation house of ill fame a house of prostitution; brothel

ill humor a disagreeable, cross, or sullen mood or state of mind ill´-hu´mored •adj. ill´-hu´mored·ly •adv.

ill nature an unpleasant, disagreeable, or mean disposition ill-na·tured (il´nei´chэrd) •adj. ill´-na´tured·ly •adv.

ill will unfriendly feeling; hostility; hate; dislike

ill-advised (il´эd vaizd´) •adj. showing or resulting from a lack of sound advice or careful consideration; unwise ill´-ad·vis´ed·ly (-vai´zid li:) •adv.

Illampu (i: yäm´pu:') mountain of the Andes, in WC Bolivia: highest peak c. 21,500 ft. (6,553 m)

illation (il lei´shэn, i lei´-) •n. 1 the act of drawing a conclusion or making an inference 2 the conclusion drawn; inference [LL illatio < L illatis < illatus (used as pp. of inferre, to bring in) < in-, in + latus (used as pp. of ferre, to bring) < earlier *tlatus < IE *tltós < base *tel-, to lift, bear > L tolerare (see TOLERATE), Gr tlēnai, to bear]

illative (il´э tiv; il leit´iv; i leit´-) •adj. 1 expressing or introducing an inference: said of such words as therefore 2 of, or having the nature of, an illation; inferential •n. 1 an illative word or phrase 2 an illation or inference il´la·tive·ly •adv. [L illativus: see ILLATION]

ill-being (il´bi:´iŋ) •n. an unhealthy, unhappy, or unprosperous condition

ill-boding (-boud´iŋ) •adj. boding evil; ominous

ill-bred (-bred´) •adj. badly brought up; lacking good manners; rude; impolite

ill-conceived (-kэn si:vd´) •adj. not properly conceived or thought out; poorly planned

ill-considered (-kэn´sid´эrd) •adj. not properly considered; not suitable or wise

ill-defined (-di: faind´) •adj. poorly defined; not clear or definite

ill-disposed (-di spouzd´) •adj. 1 having a bad disposition; malicious or malevolent 2 unfriendly, unkindly, or unfavorable (toward) or unreceptive (to)

illegal (il li:´gэl, i li:´-) •adj. prohibited by law; against the law; unlawful; illicit; also, not authorized or sanctioned, as by rules •n. an alien who has entered the U.S. illegally il·le·gal·i·ty (il li: gæl´i ti:), pl. -ties, •n. il·le´gal·ly •adv. [< Fr illégal or ML illegalis: see IN-² & LEGAL]

illegalize (-gэ laiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to make illegal or unlawful

illegible (il lej´э bэl, i lej´-) •adj. very difficult or impossible to read because badly written or printed, faded, etc. il·leg'i·bil´i·ty •n. il·leg´i·bly •adv. [< IN-² + LEGIBLE]

illegitimacy (il'lэ jit´э mэ si:) pl. -cies •n. the fact, condition, or quality of being illegitimate [< fol. + -CY]

illegitimate (il'lэ jit´э mэt) •adj. 1 born of parents not married to each other; bastard 2 incorrectly deduced: not logical {an illegitimate conclusion} 3 contrary to law or rules; illegal; unlawful 4 not in keeping with accepted usage: said of words or phrases il'le·git´i·mate·ly •adv. [< ML illegitimatus, pp. of illegitimare, to make illegitimate < L illegitimus, not lawful: see IN-² & LEGITIMATE]

ill-equipped (il´i: kwipt´) •adj. not properly equipped; poorly prepared

ill-fated (il´feit´id) •adj. 1 having or certain to have an evil fate or unlucky end 2 causing misfortune; unlucky

ill-favored (-fei´vэrd) •adj. 1 of unpleasant or evil appearance; ugly 2 unpleasant; offensive

ill-founded (-faun´did) •adj. not supported by facts or sound reasons

ill-gotten (-gät´ªn) •adj. obtained by evil, unlawful, or dishonest means {ill-gotten gains}

illiberal (il lib´эr эl) •adj. 1 [Archaic] lacking a liberal education; without culture; unrefined 2 intolerant; bigoted; narrow-minded 3 not generous; stingy il·lib'er·al´i·ty (-эr æl´i ti:) •n. il·lib´er·al·ly •adv. [Fr illibéral < L illiberalis: see IN-² & LIBERAL]

illicit (il lis´it, i lis´-) •adj. not allowed by law, custom, rule, etc.; unlawful; improper; prohibited; unauthorized il·lic´it·ly •adv. il·lic´it·ness •n. [Fr illicite < L illicitus, not allowed: see IN-² & LICIT]

Illimani (i:'yi: mä´ni:) mountain of the Andes, in WC Bolivia: c. 21,200 ft. (6,461 m)

illimitable (il lim´i tэ bэl, i lim´-) •adj. without limit or bounds; immeasurable il·lim'it·a·bil´i·ty or il·lim´it·a·ble·ness •n. il·lim´it·a·bly •adv. [< IN-² + LIMITABLE]

illinium (il lin´i: эm, i lin´-) •n. early term for PROMETHIUM [ModL: so named (1926) by J. A. Harris & B. S. Hopkins, U.S. chemists, after the University of Illinois (where early research on it was done) + -IUM]

Illinois (il'э noi´; occas., -noiz´) 1 Middle Western State of the U.S.: admitted 1818; 56,400 sq. mi. (146,640 sq. km); pop. 11,431,000; cap. Springfield: abbrev. IL or Ill 2 river in Ill., flowing from southwest of Chicago into the Mississippi, near St. Louis: c. 273 mi. (437 km) •n. 1 pl. Il'li·nois´ a member of a confederacy of North American Indian peoples who lived in N Illinois, S Wisconsin, and parts of Iowa and Missouri 2 their Algonquian language Il'li·nois´an (-noi´эn; occas., -noi´zэn) •adj., n. [Fr, earlier also Ilinoués < name in an unidentified Algonquian language: perhaps orig. meaning ordinary speaker]

illiquid (il lik´wid) •adj. 1 not readily convertible into cash 2 characterized by an insufficiency of cash il·li·quid·i·ty (il'li kwid´i ti:) •n. [< IN-² + LIQUID]

illite (il´ait') •n. any of a group of clay minerals usually consisting of interlayered mica and montmorillonite [< ILL(INOIS) + -ITE¹]

illiteracy (il lit´эr э si:, i lit´-) •n. 1 the state or quality of being illiterate; lack of education or culture; esp., an inability to read or write 2 pl. -cies a mistake (in writing or speaking) suggesting poor or inadequate education

illiterate (il lit´эr it, i lit´-) •adj. 1 ignorant; uneducated; esp., not knowing how to read or write 2 having or showing limited knowledge, experience, or culture, esp. in some particular field {musically illiterate} 3 violating accepted usage in language {an illiterate sentence} •n. an illiterate person; esp., one not knowing how to read or write SYN. IGNORANT il·lit´er·ate·ly •adv. [L illiteratus, unlettered: see IN-² & LITERATE]

ill-looking (il´luk´iŋ) •adj. 1 unattractive; ugly 2 of evil or sinister appearance

ill-mannered (-mæn´эrd) •adj. having or showing bad manners; rude; impolite SYN. RUDE

illness (il´nis) •n. 1 the condition of being ill, or in poor health; sickness; disease 2 [Obs.] wickedness

illocutionary (il'э kyu´shэ ner'i:) •adj. of or having to do with that aspect of an utterance which relates to the speaker's intention as distinct from what is actually said or the effect on an auditor

illogic (il läj´ik, i läj´-) •n. the quality of being illogical

illogical (il läj´i kэl, i läj´-) •adj. not logical or reasonable; using, based on, or caused by faulty reasoning il·log'i·cal´i·ty (-i kæl´i ti:) or il·log´i·cal·ness •n. il·log´i·cal·ly •adv. [< IN-² + LOGICAL]

ill-omened (il´ou´mэnd) •adj. having bad omens; ill-fated; inauspicious

ill-prepared (-pri: pærd´) •adj. not properly prepared; poorly prepared

ill-sorted (-sört´id) •adj. badly matched {an ill-sorted pair}

ill-spent (-spent´) •adj. misspent; spent wastefully

ill-starred (-stärd´) •adj. unlucky or doomed to disaster [< astrological notion of being born or conceived under an evil star]

ill-suited (-su:t´id) •adj. not suited or appropriate

ill-tempered (-tem´pэrd) •adj. having or showing a bad temper; quarrelsome; sullen; irritable

ill-timed (-taimd´) •adj. coming or done at the wrong time; inopportune {an ill-timed remark}

ill-treat (-tri:t´) •vt. to treat unkindly, cruelly, or unfairly; harm; abuse; maltreat ill´-treat´ment •n.

illume (i lu:m´) -lumed´, -lum´ing •vt. [Old Poet.] to illuminate

illuminance (i lu:´mэ nэns) •n. ILLUMINATION (sense 2)

illuminant (i lu:´mэ nэnt) •adj. giving light; illuminating •n. something that illuminates, or gives light [L illuminans, prp. of illuminare]

illuminate (i lu:´mэ neit') -nat'ed, -nat'ing •vt. 1 a) to give light to; light up b) to brighten; animate 2 a) to make clear; explain; elucidate b) to inform; instruct; enlighten 3 to make illustrious, glorious, or famous 4 to decorate with lights 5 a) to decorate (an initial letter or word) with designs, tracings, etc. of gold, silver, or bright colors b) to decorate (a manuscript, page border, etc.) with such initial letters, miniature pictures, etc. •adj. 1 make bright with light 2 enlightened in mind or spirit •n. [Archaic] a person who has or claims to have special knowledge il·lu´mi·na·ble •adj. [< L illuminatus, pp. of illuminare, to light up < in-, in + luminare, to light < lumen (gen. luminis), a light < IE *leuksmen < base *leuk-: see ILLUSTRATE]

illuminati (i lu:'mэ nei´tai', -nä´ti:) sing. -to' (-tou') •n.pl. 1 people who have or profess to have special intellectual or spiritual enlightenment 2 [I-] any of various societies, groups, sects, etc. usually secret, composed of such people [It (or ModL) < L, pl. of illuminatus: see ILLUMINATE]

illumination (i lu:'mэ nei´shэn) •n. 1 an illuminating or being illuminated, as a) a lighting up; supplying of light b) clarification; explanation c) enlightenment; instruction d) decoration with lights e) decoration of manuscripts with designs, colors, etc. 2 the intensity of light per unit of area 3 the designs, tracings, etc. used in decorating manuscripts 4 the lights used in decorating a city, etc. [ME illumynacyon < OFr illumination < LL illuminatio]

illuminative (i lu:´mэ neit'iv, -nэ tiv) •adj. illuminating or tending to illuminate [ML illuminativus]

illuminator (i lu:´mэ neit'эr) •n. a person or thing that illuminates; specif., a) any apparatus or device for giving, concentrating, or reflecting light b) one who decorates manuscripts, etc. [LL(Ec), an enlightener]

illumine (i lu:´mэn) -mined, -min·ing •vt. to illuminate; light up [ME illuminen < OFr illuminer < L illuminare]

illuminism (i lu:´mэ niz'эm) •n. the doctrines or claims of any of the Illuminati il·lu´min·ist •n.

illus 1 illustrated 2 illustration 3 illustrator

ill-usage (il´yu:´sij) •n. unfair, unkind, or cruel treatment; abuse: also ill usage

ill-use (il´yu:z´; for n., -yu:s´) -used´, -us´ing •vt. to treat unfairly, unkindly, or cruelly; use badly; abuse •n. ILL-USAGE

illusion (i lu:´zhэn) •n. 1 a false idea or conception; belief or opinion not in accord with the facts 2 an unreal, deceptive, or misleading appearance or image {a large mirror giving the illusion of space in a small room} 3 a) a false perception, conception, or interpretation of what one sees, where one is, etc. b) the misleading image resulting in such a false impression 4 HALLUCINATION 5 a delicate, gauzy silk tulle used for veils, etc. SYN. DELUSION il·lu´sion·al or il·lu´sion·ar'y •adj. [ME illusioun < OFr illusion < L illusio, a mocking (in LL(Ec), deceit, illusion) < illusus, pp. of illudere, to mock, play with < in-, on + ludere, to play: see LUDICROUS]

illusionism (-iz'эm) •n. the use of illusions in art il·lu'sion·is´tic •adj.

illusionist (i lu:´zhэn ist) •n. 1 a person subject to illusions, or false impressions; visionary 2 an entertainer, as a magician or conjurer who performs sleight-of-hand tricks or other kinds of illusion 3 an artist who employs illusionism

illusive (i lu:´siv) •adj. illusory; unreal il·lu´sive·ly •adv. il·lu´sive·ness •n.

illusory (i lu:´sэ ri:, -zэ-) •adj. producing, based on, or having the nature of, illusion; deceptive; unreal; illusive il·lu´so·ri·ly •adv. il·lu´so·ri·ness •n.

illustrate (il´эs treit'; also i lûs´treit') -trat'ed, -trat'ing •vt. 1 a) to make clear; explain b) to make clear or easily understood by examples, comparisons, etc.; exemplify 2 a) to furnish (books, etc.) with explanatory or decorative drawings, designs, or pictures b) to explain or decorate (said of pictures, etc.) 3 [Obs.] a) to make luminous; illuminate b) to enlighten c) to make bright; adorn d) to make illustrious •vi. to offer an example for clarification [< L illustratus, pp. of illustrare, to light up, illuminate < in-, in + lustrare, to illuminate < lustrum: see LUSTRUM]

illustration (il'эs trei´shэn) •n. 1 an illustrating or being illustrated 2 an example, story, analogy, etc. used to help explain or make something clear 3 a picture, design, diagram, etc. used to decorate or explain something SYN. INSTANCE il'lus·tra´tion·al •adj. [ME illustracione < OFr illustration < L illustratio]

illustrative (i lûs´trэ tiv, il´эs treit'iv) •adj. serving as an illustration or example il·lus´tra·tive·ly •adv. [ML(Ec) illustrativus]

illustrator (il´эs treit'эr; also i lûs´treit'эr) •n. a person or thing that illustrates; esp., an artist who makes illustrations for books, magazines, etc. [LL(Ec), an enlightener]

illustrious (i lûs´tri: эs) •adj. 1 orig., a) lustrous; shining; bright b) very clear; evident 2 very distinguished; famous; eminent; outstanding SYN. FAMOUS il·lus´tri·ous·ly •adv. il·lus´tri·ous·ness •n. [< L illustris, clear, conspicuous, distinguished (back-form. < illustrare: see ILLUSTRATE) + -OUS]

illuvial (i lu:´vi: эl) •adj. of or relating to illuvium or illuviation

illuviate (i lu:´vi: eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vi. to be subjected to illuviation

illuviation (i lu:'vi: ei´shэn) •n. the accumulation in an underlying soil layer of materials, as colloids, soluble salts, etc., that have been leached out of an upper layer [see ILLUVIUM & -ATION]

illuvium (i lu:´vi: эm) pl. -vi·ums or -vi·a (-э) •n. soil materials which have been leached from an upper layer of soil and deposited in a lower layer [ModL < IL- + (AL)LUVIUM]

ill-wisher (il´wish´эr) •n. a person who wishes evil or misfortune to another

illy (il´li:) •adv. [Now Dial.] badly; ill

Illyria (i lir´i: э) ancient region along the E coast of the Adriatic: see GREECE, map Il·lyr´ic (-lir´ik) •adj.

Illyrian (i lir´i: эn) •adj. of Illyria, its people, or culture •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of Illyria 2 the extinct language of the Illyrians, generally regarded as a distinct branch of the Indo-European family

Illyricum (-i kэm) Roman province including Illyria; later, Roman prefecture including much of the Balkan Peninsula & some of the area north of the Adriatic

ilmenite (il´mэn ait') •n. a lustrous black mineral, FeTiO3, an oxide of iron and titanium [Ger ilmenit, after the Ilmen Mts. in the southern Urals + -it, -ITE¹]

ILO International Labor Organization

Ilocano (i:'lou kä´nou') pl. -nos' or -no' •n. 1 a member of a people of N Luzon 2 their Indonesian language

Iloilo (i:'lou i:´lou) seaport on S Panay, in the Philippines: pop. 245,000

ILS instrument landing system

I'm (aim; unstressed, äm, эm) I am

im- (im) prefix 1 IN-¹ {imbibe} 2 IN-² {immaterial} Used before b, m, or p

image (im´ij) •n. 1 a) an imitation or representation of a person or thing, drawn, painted, photographed, etc.; esp., a statue b) a sculptured figure used as an idol 2 the visual impression of something produced by reflection from a mirror, refraction through a lens, etc. 3 a person or thing very much like another; copy; counterpart; likeness 4 a) a mental picture of something; conception; idea; impression Æ b) the concept of a person, product, institution, etc. held by the general public, often one deliberately created or modified by publicity, advertising, propaganda, etc. 5 a type; typical example; symbol; embodiment {the very image of laziness} 6 a vivid representation; graphic description {a drama that is the image of life} 7 a figure of speech, esp. a metaphor or simile 8 Psychoanalysis a picture or likeness of a person, as of a parent, usually idealized, constructed in the unconscious and remaining there; imago •vt. -aged, -ag·ing [< the n.; also < Fr imager < the n.] 1 to make a representation or imitation of; portray; delineate 2 to reflect; mirror 3 to picture in the mind; imagine 4 to be a symbol or type of 5 to describe graphically, vividly, or with figures of speech [OFr < imagene < L imaginem, acc. of imago, imitation, copy, image, akin to aemulus: see EMULATE]

image converter Electronics a device in which a primary optical image is converted to an electron image which is focused in turn by an electron lens on a secondary screen or plate

image dissector Electronics a television pickup tube of low sensitivity but long life in which the primary electron image is scanned past a small photocathode

image orthicon Electronics a television camera tube of high sensitivity that combines an image converter, an orthicon, and an electron-multiplier amplifier

imagery (im´ij ri:, -эr i:) pl. -ries •n. 1 [Now Rare] images generally; esp., statues 2 mental images, as produced by memory or imagination 3 descriptions and figures of speech [ME imagerie < OFr]

imaginable (i mæj´i nэ bэl) •adj. that can be imagined i·mag´i·na·bly •adv. [ME ymaginable < LL imaginabilis]

imaginal¹ (i mæj´i nэl) •adj. of or having to do with the imagination or mental images

imaginal² (i mæj´i nэl) Zool. of, or pertaining to, an IMAGO (sense 1) •adj.

imaginary (i mæj´i ner'i:) •adj. 1 existing only in the imagination; fanciful; unreal 2 Math. designating or of the square root of a negative quantity, or of a complex number that is not real i·mag´i·nar'i·ly •adv. i·mag´i·nar'i·ness •n. [L imaginarius]

imaginary number a complex number in the form a + bi where b is not zero: when a is zero, it is a pure imaginary number

imaginary part the coefficient of the square root of minus one in a complex number as 5 in (3 + 5i): formerly, this coefficient multiplied by i was considered the imaginary part

imaginary unit the square root of minus one; √-1: symbol i

imagination (i mæj'i nei´shэn) •n. 1 a) the act or power of forming mental images of what is not actually present b) the act or power of creating mental images of what has never been actually experienced, or of creating new images or ideas by combining previous experiences; creative power 2 anything imagined; mental image; creation of the mind; fancy 3 a foolish notion; empty fancy 4 the ability to understand and appreciate imaginative creations of others, esp. works of art and literature 5 resourcefulness in dealing with new or unusual experiences 6 [Obs.] an evil plan or scheme [ME ymaginacioun < OFr imagination < L imaginatio < pp. of imaginari: see IMAGINE]

imaginative (i mæj´i nэ tiv, -neit'iv) •adj. 1 having, using, or showing imagination; having great creative powers 2 given to imagining 3 of or resulting from imagination {imaginative literature} i·mag´i·na·tive·ly •adv. i·mag´i·na·tive·ness •n. [ME imaginatif < OFr < ML imaginativus]

imagine (i mæj´in) -ined, -in·ing •vt. 1 to make a mental image of; form an idea or notion of; conceive in the mind; create by the imagination 2 to suppose; guess; think •vi. 1 to use the imagination 2 to suppose; guess; think •interj. an exclamation of surprise, expostulation, etc. [ME imaginen < OFr imaginer < L imaginari < imago, a likeness, IMAGE]

imagism (im´э jiz'эm) •n. a movement in modern poetry (c. 1909-1917), characterized by the use of precise, concrete images, free verse, and suggestion rather than complete statement im´ag·ist •n., adj. im'ag·is´tic •adj. [after Des Imagistes, title of the first anthology of imagist poetry (1913)]

imago (i mei´gou') pl. -goes', -gos', or i·mag·i·nes (i mæj´i ni:z') •n. 1 an insect in its final, adult, reproductive stage, generally having wings 2 Psychoanalysis IMAGE [ModL, special use (by LINNAEUS) of L, an IMAGE, likeness]

imam (i mäm´) •n. 1 the leader of prayer in a Muslim mosque 2 [often I-] any of various Muslim leaders and rulers: often used as a title [Ar imām, a guide, leader < amma, to walk before, precede]

imamate (-eit') •n. 1 the territory ruled by an imam 2 the office or function of an imam [see -ATE²]

imaret (i mä´ret') •n. in Turkey, an inn or hospice [Turk imārat < Ar imārah, building]

imbalance (im bæl´эns) •n. lack of balance, as in proportion, force, functioning, etc.

imbecile (im´bэ sil, -sэl; Brit, -si:l', -sail') •n. 1 [Obs.] a retarded person mentally equal to a child between three and eight years old: see MENTAL RETARDATION 2 a very foolish or stupid person •adj. very foolish or stupid: also im'be·cil´ic [Fr imbécile < L imbecilis, imbecillus, feeble, weak, prob. < in-, without + baculus, staff (see BACILLUS): hence without support]

imbecility (im'bэ sil´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the state of being an imbecile 2 behavior like that of an imbecile; great foolishness or stupidity 3 an imbecile act or remark [Fr imbécillité < L imbecillitas]

imbed (im bed´) •vt. EMBED

imbibe (im baib´) -bibed´, -bib´ing •vt. 1 a) to drink (esp. alcoholic liquor) b) to take in with the senses; drink in 2 a) to absorb (moisture) b) to inhale 3 to take into the mind and keep, as ideas, principles, etc. •vi. to drink, esp. alcoholic liquor im·bib´er •n. [ME enbiben < L imbibere < in-, in + bibere, to drink < *pibere < IE *pi-, *pō-, to drink > Sans pati, (he) drinks, L potare]

imbibition (im'bi bish´эn) •n. the absorption or adsorption of water by certain colloids, as in seeds, with resultant swelling of the tissues [LME: see IMBIBE & -ITION]

imbitter (im bit´эr) •vt. EMBITTER

imbosom (im buz´эm) •vt. EMBOSOM

imbower (im bau´эr) •vt., vi. EMBOWER

imbricate (im´bri kit; also, and for v. always, -keit') •adj. 1 overlapping evenly, as tiles or fish scales 2 ornamented with overlapping scales or a pattern like this •vt. -cat'ed, -cat'ing to place (tiles, shingles, etc.) in overlapping order •vi. to overlap im´bri·cate·ly •adv. [LL imbricatus, pp. of L imbricare, to cover with gutter tiles < imbrax, gutter tile < imber, rain < IE base *##bh-, var. of *nebh-, moist, water > Gr nephos, cloud, Ger nebel, fog]

imbrication (im'bri kei´shэn) •n. 1 an overlapping, as of tiles or scales 2 an ornamental pattern like this [see IMBRICATE]

imbroglio (im broul´you) pl. -glios •n. 1 [Rare] a confused heap 2 an involved and confusing situation; state of confusion and complication 3 a confused misunderstanding or disagreement [It < imbrogliare, to embroil < or akin to MFr embrouiller: see EN-¹ & BROIL²]

imbrown (im braun´) •vt. EMBROWN

imbrue (im bru:´) -brued´, -bru´ing •vt. to wet, soak, or stain, esp. with blood [ME enbrewen < OFr embreuver, to moisten < VL *imbiberare, for L imbibere: see IMBIBE]

imbrute (im bru:t´) -brut´ed, -brut´ing •vt., vi. to make or become brutal [IM- + BRUTE]

imbue (im byu:´) -bued´, -bu´ing •vt. 1 [Rare] to fill with moisture; saturate 2 to fill with color; dye; tinge 3 to permeate or inspire (with principles, ideas, emotions, etc.) [L imbuere, to wet, soak]

IMF International Monetary Fund

imidazole (im'id æz´oul', -э zoul´) •n. a colorless, heterocyclic, crystalline base, C3H4N2 [fol. + AZOLE]

imide (im´aid', -id) •n. an organic compound having the divalent radical NH combined with two acid radicals [arbitrary alteration of AMIDE]

imido (im´i dou', i mi:´dou') •adj. of an imide or imides

imido- (i mi:´dou, -dэ; im´i dou', -dэ) combining form of or containing the divalent radical NH combined with two acid radicals Also, before a vowel, i·mid- [< IMIDE]

imine (i mi:n´; im´i:n', -in) •n. a compound containing the divalent radical NH united to alkyl or other nonacid radicals [arbitrary alteration of AMINE]

imino (i mi:´nou, im´i no') •adj. of an imine or imines

imino- (i mi:´nou, -nэ; im´i nou', -nэ) combining form of or containing the divalent radical NH united to alkyl or other nonacidic radicals Also, before a vowel, imin- [< IMINE]

imipramine (i mi´prэ mi:n') •n. a white, crystalline powder, C19H24N2, used as an antidepressant [IMI(DE) + PR(OPYL) + AMINE]

imit. 1 imitation 2 imitative

imitate (im´i teit') -tat'ed, -tat'ing •vt. 1 to seek to follow the example of; take as one's model or pattern 2 to act the same as; impersonate; mimic 3 to reproduce in form, color, etc.; make a duplicate or copy of 4 to be or become like in appearance; resemble {glass made to imitate diamonds} im´i·ta·ble (-tэ bэl) •adj. im´i·ta'tor •n. SYN.—imitate implies the following of something as an example or model but does not necessarily connote exact correspondence with the original [the child imitates the father's mannerisms]; copy implies as nearly exact imitation or reproduction as is possible [to copy a painting]; mimic suggests close imitation, often in fun or ridicule [to mimic the speech peculiarities of another]; mock implies imitation with the intent to deride or affront [I can't, she echoed mockingly]; ape implies close imitation either in mimicry or in servile emulation [she aped the fashions of the court ladies] [< L imitatus, pp. of imitari, to imitate, akin to aemulus: see EMULATE]

imitation (im'i tei´shэn) •n. 1 a) the result or product of imitating; artificial likeness; copy b) a counterfeit 3 Biol. MIMICRY (sense 2) 4 Music the repetition in close succession of a theme or theme fragment in a different voice: used often as a technique of counterpoint 5 Philos. a) in Platonism, the process wherein sensible objects imperfectly embody unchanging, immaterial models or archetypes b) in Aristotelianism, artistic portrayal not as literal copying but as representation of the essential nature of something •adj. made to resemble something specified, usually something superior or genuine; not real; sham; bogus {imitation leather} [L imitatio]

imitative (im´i teit'iv; also, -i tэ tiv') •adj. 1 formed from a model; reproducing the qualities of an original or another 2 given to imitating; inclined to imitate others 3 not genuine or real; imitation 4 approximating in sound the thing or action signified; echoic: said of such words as hiss, ripple, clang im´i·ta'tive·ly •adv. im´i·ta'tive·ness •n. [LL imitativus]

immaculate (im mæk´yu: lit, i mæk´-; -yэ-) •adj. 1 perfectly clean; without a spot or stain; unsoiled 2 perfectly correct; without a flaw, fault, or error 3 pure; innocent; without sin 4 Biol. of a solid color, without marks or spots im·mac´u·late·ly •adv. im·mac´u·late·ness or im·mac´u·la·cy (-lэ si:) •n. [ME < L immaculatus < in-, not + maculatus, pp. of maculare, to spot, soil < macula, a spot, prob. < IE base *smē-, to smear > SMITE]

Immaculate Conception R.C.Ch. the doctrine that the Virgin Mary, though conceived naturally, was from the moment of conception free from any original sin: sometimes confused with Virgin Birth

immane (i mein´) •adj. [Archaic] 1 huge; immense 2 cruel or brutal [L immanis < in-, not + manus, good < IE base *ma-, good > OIr maith, good]

immanent (im´э nэnt) •adj. 1 living, remaining, or operating within; inherent 2 Theol. present throughout the universe: said of God: distinguished from TRANSCENDENT im´ma·nence or im´ma·nen·cy •n. im´ma·nent·ly •adv. [LL immanens, prp. of immanere, to remain in or near < in-, in + manere, to remain: see MANOR]

immanentism (-iz'эm) •n. Theol. the theory that God pervades the universe

Immanuel (i mæn´yu: el', -эl) 1 a masculine name: var. Emmanuel, Manuel 2 a name given by Isaiah to the Messiah of his prophecy (Isa. 7:14), often applied to Jesus (Matt. 1:23) [Heb immānūēl < im, with + ānū, us + ēl, God, hence, lit., God with us]

immaterial (im'mэ tir´i: эl, im'э-) •adj. 1 not consisting of matter; incorporeal; spiritual 2 that does not matter; not pertinent; unimportant im'ma·te'ri·al´i·ty (-æl´i ti:), pl. -ties, •n. im'ma·te´ri·al·ly •adv. [ME immateriel < LL immaterialis: see IN-² & MATERIAL]

immaterialism (-iz'эm) •n. the theory or doctrine that material things exist only as mental perceptions or ideas im'ma·te´ri·al·ist •n.

immaterialize (im'mэ tir´i: э laiz', im'э-) -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to make immaterial

immature (im'mэ tur´, im'э-; -tyur´; often, -chur´) •adj. 1 not mature or ripe; not completely grown or developed 2 not finished or perfected; incomplete 3 lacking the emotional maturity, sense of responsibility, etc. characteristic of an adult 4 Geol. worn down only slightly by erosion, as a land surface having steeply entrenched stream valleys that lack well-developed flood plains im'ma·ture´ly •adv. im'ma·tu´ri·ty or im'ma·ture´ness •n. [L immaturus]

immeasurable (im mezh´эr э bэl, i mezh´-) •adj. that cannot be measured; boundless; vast im·meas'ur·a·bil´i·ty or im·meas´ur·a·ble·ness •n. im·meas´ur·a·bly •adv.

immediacy (i mi:´di: э si:, im mi:´-) •n. the quality or condition of being immediate; esp., direct pertinence or relevance to the present time, place, purpose, etc.

immediate (i mi:´di: it, im mi:´-) •adj. 1 having nothing coming between; with no intermediary; specif., a) not separated in space; in direct contact; closest; nearest b) close by; near {immediate neighbors} c) not separated in time; acting or happening at once; without delay; instant 2 of the present time 3 next in order, succession, etc.; next in line 4 directly or closely related {one's immediate family} 5 directly affecting; direct; firsthand {an immediate cause} 6 understood or perceived directly or intuitively {an immediate inference} im·me´di·ate·ness •n. [LL immediatus: see IN-² & MEDIATE]

immediate constituent any of the meaningful hierarchical components into which a complex linguistic structure may be directly divided and which may in turn be subdivided

immediately (i mi:´di: it li:, im mi:´-) •adv. in an immediate manner; specif., a) without intervening agency or cause; directly b) without delay; at once; instantly conj. [Chiefly Brit.] at the very moment that; as soon as {return immediately you are done}

immedicable (im med´i kэ bэl) •adj. that cannot be healed; incurable [L immedicabilis: see IN-² & MEDICABLE]

Immelmann (turn) (im´эl mэn; also, -män') a maneuver in which an airplane is half looped to an upside-down position and then half rolled back to normal, upright flight: used to gain altitude while reversing direction [after M. Immelmann (1890-1916), Ger ace]

immemorial (im'me mör´i: эl, im'mэ-; im'э-) •adj. extending back beyond memory or record; ancient im'me·mo´ri·al·ly •adv. [ML immemorialis: see IN-² & MEMORIAL]

immense (im mens´, i mens´) •adj. 1 orig., unmeasured; limitless; infinite 2 very large; vast; huge 3 [Old Slang] very good; excellent SYN. ENORMOUS im·mense´ly •adv. im·mense´ness •n. [Fr < L immensus < in-, not + mensus, pp. of metiri, to MEASURE]