inharmonic (in'här män´ik) •adj. not harmonic; out of harmony; discordant

inharmonious (in'här mou´ni: эs) •adj. not harmonious; discordant, in conflict, etc. in'har·mo´ni·ous·ly •adv. in'har·mo´ni·ous·ness •n.

inharmony (in här´mэ ni:) •n. lack of harmony; discord; conflict

inhaul (in´höl') •n. Naut. a rope used to haul in something, specif. the corner of a sail

inhere (in hir´) -hered´, -her´ing •vi. to be inherent; exist as a quality, characteristic, or right (in); be innate [L inhaerere, to stick in, adhere to < in-, in + haerere, to stick]

inherence (in hir´эns; also, -her´-) •n. 1 the fact or state of inhering or being inherent 2 Philos. the relation of an attribute to its subject [ME inhaerentia]

inherency (-эn si:) •n. 1 INHERENCE 2 pl. -cies something inherent

inherent (in hir´эnt; also, -her´-) •adj. existing in someone or something as a natural and inseparable quality, characteristic, or right; innate; basic; inborn in·her´ent·ly •adv. [L inhaerens, prp. of inhaerere: see INHERE]

inherit (in her´it) •vt. 1 orig., to transfer property to (an heir) 2 a) to receive (an ancestor's property, title, etc.) by the laws of inheritance upon the ancestor's death b) to receive (property) by bequest 3 to receive as if by inheritance from a predecessor 4 to have (certain characteristics) by heredity •vi. to receive an inheritance; become an heir in·her´i·tor •n. in·her´i·tress (-i tris) or in·her´i·trix (-i triks) •n.fem. [ME enheriten < OFr enheriter < LL inhereditare, to appoint as heir, inherit < L in, in + heres, HEIR]

inheritable (in her´it э bэl) •adj. 1 capable of inheriting; having the rights of an heir 2 capable of being inherited in·her'it·a·bil´i·ty or in·her´it·a·ble·ness •n. [ME enheritable < Anglo-Fr < OFr]

inheritance (in her´i tэns) •n. 1 the action of inheriting 2 something inherited or to be inherited; legacy; bequest 3 ownership by virtue of birthright; right to inherit 4 anything received as if by inheritance from a predecessor 5 any characteristic passed on by heredity SYN. HERITAGE [ME inheritauns < Anglo-Fr & OFr enheritance]

inheritance tax a tax levied by the state upon the right of a beneficiary to receive the property of a deceased person

inhesion (in hi:´zhэn) •n. [Rare] INHERENCE [LL inhaesio < pp. of L inhaerere: see INHERE]

inhibit (in hib´it) •vt. 1 to hold back or keep from some action, feeling, etc.; check or repress 2 [Rare] to prohibit; forbid SYN. RESTRAIN in·hib´i·tive or in·hib´i·to'ry (-i tör'i:) •adj. [< L inhibitus, pp. of inhibere, to hold back, restrain, curb < in-, in, on + habere, to have, hold: see HABIT]

inhibition (in'hi bish´эn, in'i-) •n. 1 an inhibiting or being inhibited 2 anything that inhibits, esp., a mental or psychological process that restrains or suppresses an action, emotion, or thought [ME inhibicion < OFr < L inhibitio]

inhibitor (in hib´it эr) •n. a person or thing that inhibits; esp., any substance that slows or prevents a chemical or organic reaction Also in·hib´it·er

inhomogeneous (in'hou'mou ji:´ni: эs, -mэ-) •adj. not homogeneous

inhospitable (in häs´pit э bэl; often in'häs pit´-) •adj. 1 not hospitable; not offering hospitality 2 not offering protection, shelter, etc.; barren; forbidding {an inhospitable climate} in·hos´pi·ta·ble·ness •n. in·hos´pi·ta·bly •adv. [ML inhospitabilis]

inhospitality (in'häs pi tæl´э ti:) •n. lack of hospitality; inhospitable treatment

in-house (in´haus') •adj. originating within an organization, company, etc., rather than brought in from outside

inhuman (in hyu:´mэn) •adj. not human; esp., not having the qualities considered normal to or for human beings; unfeeling, heartless, cruel, barbarous, etc. SYN. CRUEL in·hu´man·ly •adv. [LME inhumayn < MFr inhumain < L inhumanus]

inhumane (in'hyu: mein´) •adj. not humane; unmoved by the suffering of others; cruel, brutal, unkind, etc. in'hu·mane´ly •adv. [IN-² + HUMANE]

inhumanity (in'hyu: mæn´э ti:) •n. 1 the quality or condition of being inhuman or inhumane 2 pl. -ties an inhuman or inhumane act or remark [LME inhumanite < MFr < L inhumanitas]

inhume (in hyu:m´) -humed´, -hum´ing •vt. to bury (a dead body); inter in'hu·ma´tion •n. [Fr inhumer < L inhumare < in-, in + humus, earth: see HUMUS]

inimical (i nim´i kэl) •adj. 1 like an enemy; hostile; unfriendly 2 in opposition; adverse; unfavorable {laws inimical to freedom} in·im´i·cal·ly •adv. [LL inimicalis < L inimicus, hostile, ENEMY]

inimitable (in im´i tэ bэl) •adj. that cannot be imitated or matched; too good to be equaled or copied in·im'i·ta·bil´i·ty or in·im´i·ta·ble·ness •n. in·im´i·ta·bly •adv. [L inimitabilis: see IN-² & IMITABLE]

inion (in´i: эn, -än') •n. the bulging part at the rear of the human skull [ModL < Gr, the back of the head < is (gen. inos), sinew, muscle, lit., strength, akin to L vis, strength < IE *wīs- < base *wei-, to strive forward, > L via]

iniquitous (i nik´wi tэs) •adj. showing iniquity; wicked; unjust in·iq´ui·tous·ly •adv. in·iq´ui·tous·ness •n.

iniquity (i nik´wi ti:) •n. 1 lack of righteousness or justice; wickedness 2 pl. -ties a wicked, unjust, or unrighteous act [ME iniquite < OFr iniquité < L iniquitas < iniquus, unequal < in-, not + aequus, EQUAL]

init initial

initial (i nish´эl) •adj. having to do with, indicating, or occurring at the beginning {the initial stage of a disease, the initial letter of a word} •n. 1 a capital, or uppercase, letter; specif., a) an extra-large capital letter at the start of a printed paragraph, chapter, etc. b) the first letter of a name 2 Biol. a primordial cell that determines the basic pattern of derived tissues; specif., a meristematic cell •vt. -tialed or -tialled, -tial·ing or -tial·ling to mark or sign with an initial or initials [< Fr or L: Fr < L initialis < initium, a beginning < inire, to go into, enter upon, begin < in-, into, in + ire, to go < IE base *ei- > Goth iddja]

Initial Teaching Alphabet an alphabet of 44 characters, with a single sound for each character, devised by Sir James Pitman (1901-85) of England for teaching beginners to read English: orig. called Augmented Roman

initially (i nish´эl i:) •adv. at the beginning; at first

initiate (for v. i nish´i: eit'; for adj. & n. i nish´it; also, -i: ait, -i: eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. 1 to bring into practice or use; introduce by first doing or using; start {to initiate a new course of studies} 2 to teach the fundamentals of some subject to; help to begin doing something {to initiate someone into the game of chess} 3 to admit as a member into a fraternity, club, etc., esp. with a special or secret ceremony •adj. 1 initiated 2 [Archaic] just begun •n. a person who has recently been, or is about to be, initiated SYN. BEGIN in·i´ti·a'tor •n. [< L initiatus, pp. of initiare, to enter upon, initiate < initium: see INITIAL]

initiation (i nish'i: ei´shэn) •n. 1 an initiating or being initiated 2 the ceremony by which a person is initiated into a fraternity, club, etc. [L initiatio]

initiative (i nish´э tiv, -i: э tiv) •adj. of, or having the nature of, initiation; introductory; initial •n. 1 the action of taking the first step or move; responsibility for beginning or originating 2 the characteristic of originating new ideas or methods; ability to think and act without being urged; enterprise 3 a) the right of a legislature to introduce new legislation on some specified matter b) the right of a group of citizens to introduce a matter for legislation either to the legislature or directly to the voters c) the procedure by which such matters are introduced, usually by a petition signed by a specified percentage of the voters [ML initiativus]

initiatory (i nish´i: э tör i:, i nish´э-) •adj. 1 beginning; introductory; initial 2 of or used in an initiation

inject (in jekt´) •vt. 1 to force or drive (a fluid) into some passage, cavity, or chamber; esp., to introduce or force (a liquid) into some part of the body by means of a syringe, hypodermic needle, etc. 2 to fill by, or subject to, injection 3 to introduce (a missing feature, quality, etc.) {to inject a note of humor into a story} 4 to interject (a remark, opinion, etc.) as into a discussion in·ject´a·ble •adj. [< L injectus, pp. of injicere, to throw, cast, or put in < in-, in + jacere, to throw: see JET¹]

injection (in jek´shэn) •n. 1 an act or instance of injecting 2 something injected; esp., a) a liquid injected into the body b) a fuel under pressure forced into a combustion chamber [L injectio]

injection molding a method of shaping certain materials, as thermoplastic substances, by forcing the heated, syrupy resin into water-chilled molds for cooling and setting in·jec´tion-mold´ed •adj.

injector (in jek´tэr) •n. a person or thing that injects, as a device for injecting pressurized fuel into a combustion chamber or for injecting water into a steam boiler

injudicious (in'ju: dish´эs) •adj. showing poor judgment; not discreet or wise in'ju·di´cious·ly •adv. in'ju·di´cious·ness •n. [IN-² + JUDICIOUS]

injunction (in jûŋk´shэn) •n. 1 an enjoining; bidding; command 2 something enjoined; command; order 3 a writ or order from a court prohibiting a person or group from carrying out a given action, or ordering a given action to be done in·junc´tive •adj. [LL injunctio < pp. of L injungere, to ENJOIN]

injure (in´jэr) -jured, -jur·ing •vt. 1 to do physical harm or damage to; hurt 2 to offend (one's feelings, pride, etc.); wound 3 to weaken or otherwise cause a loss in value to (a business, reputation, etc.) 4 to be unjust to; wrong in´jur·er •n. SYN.—injure implies the marring of the appearance, health, soundness, etc. of a person or thing [injured pride]; harm more strongly suggests the pain or distress caused [he wouldn't harm a fly]; damage stresses the loss, as in value, usefulness, etc., resulting from an injury [damaged goods]; hurt implies a wounding physically or emotionally or a causing of any kind of harm or damage [the rumors hurt his business]; to impair something is to cause it to deteriorate in quality or to lessen in value, strength, etc. [impaired hearing]; spoil implies such serious impairment of a thing as to destroy its value, usefulness, etc. [the canned food was spoiled] [altered < earlier injury, to harm < LME injurien < MFr injurier < L injuriari < injuria: see INJURY]

injurious (in jur´i: эs) •adj. 1 injuring or likely to cause injury; harmful 2 offensive or abusive; slanderous or libelous in·ju´ri·ous·ly •adv. in·ju´ri·ous·ness •n. [LME iniuryous < MFr injurieux < L injuriosus]

injury (in´jэ ri:) pl. -ries •n. 1 physical harm or damage to a person, property, etc. 2 an injurious act; specif., a) an offense against a person's feelings, dignity, etc. b) loss in value inflicted on a business, reputation, etc. c) a violation of rights; wrong 3 [Obs.] an insult [ME iniurie < L injuria < injurius, wrongful, unjust < in-, not + jus (gen. juris), right, justice: see JUST¹]

injustice (in jûs´tis) •n. 1 the quality of being unjust or unfair; lack of justice; wrong 2 an unjust act; injury; wrong [OFr < L injustitia]

ink (iŋk) •n. 1 a colored liquid used for writing, drawing, etc. 2 a sticky, colored paste used in printing; printer's ink 3 [Slang] publicity, esp. in newspapers 4 a dark, liquid secretion ejected by cuttlefish, octopuses, and squid to confuse or inhibit a predator •vt. 1 to cover with ink; spread ink on 2 to draw, mark, or color with ink: often with in 3 [Slang] to sign one's name to [ME enke < OFr enque < LL encaustum < Gr enkauston, purple or red ink < enkaustos, burned in < enkaiein, to burn in < en-, in + kaiein, to burn < IE base *kai- > HEAT]

inkberry (iŋk´ber'i:) pl. -ries •n. 1 an evergreen holly (Ilex glabra) with shiny, leathery leaves, native to E North America 2 its dark-purple fruit 3 POKEWEED

inkblot (iŋk´blät') •n. any of a group of irregular patterns made by blots of ink and used in psychological testing: see RORSCHACH TEST

inker (iŋk´эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that inks 2 Printing a roller for spreading ink on type

inkhorn (iŋk´hörn') •n. a small container made of horn or other material, formerly used to hold ink

inkjet (iŋk´jet´) •adj. designating or of a high-speed printing process in which jets of ink are broken up into electrostatically charged drops, which are guided by a computer program into positions that form printed characters on paper

inkle (iŋ´kэl) •n. [Now Rare] 1 a kind of braided linen tape 2 the thread or yarn from which this is made [< ? obs. Du inckel (Du enkel), single (with reference to the narrow width)]

inkling (iŋk´liŋ') •n. 1 an indirect suggestion; slight indication; hint 2 a vague idea or notion; suspicion [ME ingkiling < inclen, to give an inkling of]

inkstand (iŋk´stænd') •n. 1 a small stand holding an inkwell, pens, etc. 2 INKWELL

inkwell (iŋk´wel') •n. a container for holding ink, usually set in the top of a desk, inkstand, etc.

inkwood (-wud') •n. a tropical tree (Exothea paniculata) of the soapberry family found in Florida and the West Indies, having dark, hard wood used for pilings, fence posts, etc.

inky (iŋk´i:) ink´i·er, ink´i·est •adj. 1 like ink in color; dark; black 2 colored, marked, stained, or covered with ink ink´i·ness •n.

inky cap any of several mushrooms (genus Coprinus) whose cap liquefies and forms an inky material

inlace (in leis´) -laced´, -lac´ing •vt. var. of ENLACE

inlaid (in´leid', in leid´) •adj. 1 set in pieces into a surface of another material so as to form a smooth surface {a pine table with an inlaid walnut design} 2 decorated with a surface made in this way {an inlaid floor}

inland (for adj. in´lэnd; for n. & adv., -lænd', -lэnd) •adj. 1 of, located in, or confined to the interior of a country or region; away from the coast or border 2 [Brit.] carried on or operating within a country; domestic •n. the interior of a country or region; inland areas [ME < OE in-lande] •adv. into or toward the interior; away from the coast or border [IN-¹ + LAND]

Inland Passage INSIDE PASSAGE

Inland Sea arm of the Pacific surrounded by the Japanese islands of Honshu, Shikoku, & Kyushu

inlander (in´lэn dэr; also, -læn´dэr) •n. a person living inland

in-law (in´lö') •n. [Colloq.] a relative by marriage [< mother- (or father-, etc.) in-law]

inlay (for v. in´lei', in lei´; for n. in´lei') -laid', -lay'ing •vt. 1 a) to set (pieces of wood, metal, etc.) into a surface to make a design that is usually level with the surface b) to decorate with such pieces 2 to fit or insert (an illustration) into a mat 3 to add extra silver to (silver-plated objects) •n. pl. -lays' 1 inlaid decoration or material 2 a filling for a tooth made from a mold of the prepared cavity and then cemented into place in´lay'er •n. [IN-¹ & LAY¹]

inlet (for v. in´let', in let´; for n. in´let'; also, -lэt) -let´, -let´ting •vt. to inlay or insert •n. [ME inlate < the v.] 1 a) a narrow strip of water extending into a body of land from a river, lake, ocean, etc.; small bay or creek b) a narrow strip of water between islands c) a stream, river, etc. that flows into a larger body of water, as a lake or pond 2 the act of letting something in 3 an entrance, opening, or passage 4 something inlaid or inserted [ME inletan: see IN-¹ & LET¹]

inlier (in´lai'эr) •n. an outcrop area of older rocks entirely surrounded by younger rocks [< IN-¹ + LIE¹ + -ER]

inly (in´li:) •adv. [Old Poet.] 1 inwardly 2 intimately [ME inliche < OE inlice: see IN-¹ & -LY²]

inmate (in´meit') •n. a person living with others in the same building, now esp. one confined with others in a prison or mental institution [IN-¹ + MATE¹]

inmesh (in mэsh´) •vt. var. of ENMESH

in-migrant (in´-mai'grэnt) •adj. coming in from another region of the same country {in-migrant workers} •n. an in-migrant person or animal in´-mi´grate (-greit), -grat·ed, -grat·ing, •vi. in´-mi··gra´tion •n.

inmost (in´moust', -mэst) •adj. 1 located farthest within 2 most intimate or secret; innermost {inmost thoughts} [ME innemest < OE: see IN-¹ & -MOST]

Inn (in) river flowing from E Switzerland, across W Austria & SE Bavaria, into the Danube: c. 320 mi. (512 km) inn (in) •n. 1 orig., any dwelling or lodging 2 a) an establishment or building providing lodging and, usually, food and drink for travelers; hotel or motel, esp. one in the country or along a highway b) a restaurant or tavern (now usually only in the names of such places) 3 [Brit. Historical] any of various houses in London providing lodging for students: see INNS OF COURT •vt., vi. [Archaic] to lodge at an inn [ME yn < OE inn (akin to ON inni) < adv. inn, inne, within: see IN]

innards (in´эrdz) •n.pl. [Colloq. or Dial.] 1 the internal organs of the body; viscera; entrails 2 the inner parts of anything [altered < INWARDS]

innate (in´neit', in´eit'; in neit´, i neit´) •adj. 1 a) existing naturally rather than acquired; that seems to have been in one from birth {innate talent} b) existing as an inherent attribute {the innate humor of a situation} 2 Bot. borne at the apex of the support, as an anther in´nate'ly •adv. in´nate'ness •n. SYN.—innate and inborn are often interchangeable, but innate has more extensive connotations, describing that which belongs to something as part of its nature or constitution, and inborn, the simpler term, more specifically suggesting qualities so much a part of one's nature as to seem to have been born in or with one [inborn modesty]; inbred refers to qualities that are deeply ingrained by breeding [an inbred love of learning]; congenital implies existence at or from one's birth, specifically as a result of prenatal environment [congenital blindness]; hereditary implies acquirement of characteristics by transmission genetically from parents or ancestors [hereditary blondness] [L innatus, pp. of innasci, to be born in, originate in < in-, in + nasci, to be born: see NATURE]

inner (in´эr) •adj. 1 located farther within; interior; internal {inner organs} 2 of the mind or spirit {inner peace} 3 more intimate, central, or secret {inner emotions} [ME < OE innerra, compar. of inne, within, IN]

inner circle a small, exclusive group of people who control or influence customs, thought, etc.

inner city the sections of a large city in or near its center, esp. when crowded or blighted

inner ear the part of the ear in the temporal bone consisting of the semicircular canal, vestibule, and cochlea See EAR¹, illus.

Inner Hebrides see HEBRIDES

Inner Light in Quaker doctrine, a guiding influence resulting from the presence of God in the soul

inner man 1 one's spiritual being; mind or soul 2 humorously, one's stomach or palate

Inner Mongolia region in NE China, south & southeast of the Mongolian People's Republic, comprising mainly the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, 456,757 sq. mi. (1,183,000 sq. km); pop. 19,274,000; cap. Hohhot

inner space any space deep within, as contrasted with outer space; specif., a) the spiritual world within a person b) the sea or depths of the sea

Inner Temple see INNS OF COURT

inner tube a rubber tube used, esp. formerly, in a pneumatic tire: see TIRE²

inner-directed (in´эr di rek´tid) •adj. guided by or concerned with goals or ideals determined by oneself rather than by others; nonconformist

innermost (in´эr moust'; also, -mэst) •adj. 1 located farthest within 2 most intimate or secret [< INMOST, infl. by INNER]

innersole (in´эr soul') •n. INSOLE

innerspring mattress (in´эr spriŋ´) a mattress with built-in coil springs

innervate (in nør´veit', i nør´-; in´эr veit') -vat'ed, -vat'ing •vt. Med. 1 to supply (a part of the body) with nerves 2 to stimulate (a nerve, muscle, etc.) to movement or action in'ner·va´tion •n. [< IN-¹ + NERVE + -ATE¹]

innerve (in nørv´, i nørv´) -nerved´, -nerv´ing •vt. 1 INNERVATE 2 to give strength or courage to

Inness (in´is), George 1825-94; U.S. painter

inning (in´iŋ) •n. 1 [Now Rare] a) an enclosing or reclaiming, as of wasteland b) [pl.] lands reclaimed, as from the sea 2 [pl. for Cricket] Baseball, Cricket a) the period of play in which a team has a turn at bat, completed in baseball by three outs and in cricket ten outs b) a numbered round of play in which both teams have a turn at bat: a baseball game normally consists of nine innings, and a cricket game of two innings [IN + -ING] 3 [often pl.] [Colloq.] the period of or opportunity for action, expression, exercise of authority, etc. {the election gave him his innings} [ME inninge < OE innung, ger. of innian, to get in, put in]

innkeeper (in´ki:´pэr) •n. the proprietor or manager of an inn

innocence (in´э sэns) •n. 1 the quality or state of being innocent; specif., a) freedom from sin or moral wrong b) freedom from legal guilt c) freedom from guile or cunning; simplicity d) lack of sophistication; naiveté e) harmlessness f) ignorance 2 [Archaic] an innocent person Æ 3 BLUET [OFr < L innocentia]

innocency (in´э sэn si:) •n. [Archaic] 1 INNOCENCE (senses 1 & 2) 2 pl. -cies an instance of this

innocent (in´э sэnt) •adj. 1 free from sin, evil, or guilt; specif., a) doing or thinking nothing morally wrong; pure b) not guilty of a specific crime or offense; guiltless c) free from harmful effect or cause; that does not harm, injure, or corrupt d) not malignant; benign {an innocent tumor} 2 a) knowing no evil b) without guile or cunning; artless; simple c) naive d) ignorant 3 totally lacking: with of {innocent of adornment} •n. 1 a person knowing no evil or sin, such as a child 2 a very naive or simple-minded person in´no·cent·ly •adv. [OFr < L innocens < in-, not + nocens, prp. of nocere, to do wrong to: see NECRO-] Innocent (in´э sэnt) 1 a masculine name, adopted chiefly by several popes 2 Innocent I, Saint (died A.D. 417); pope (401-417): his day is July 28 3 Innocent II (born Gregorio Papareschi) died 1143; pope (1130-43) 4 Innocent III (born Lotario de' Conti de' Segni) c. 1161-1216; pope (1198-1216) 5 Innocent IV (born Sinibaldo de' Fieschi) died 1254; pope (1243-54) 6 Innocent XI (born Benedetto Odeschalchi) 1611-89; pope (1676-89)

innocuous (in näk´yu: эs, in näk´-) •adj. 1 that does not injure or harm; harmless {an innocuous insect} 2 not controversial, offensive, or stimulating; dull and uninspiring {an innocuous speech} in·noc´u·ous·ly •adv. in·noc´u·ous·ness •n. [L innocuus < in-, not + nocuus, harmful < nocere, to harm, injure: see NECRO-]

innominate (in näm´э nit, i näm´-) •adj. 1 not named; anonymous 2 having no specific name [LL innominatus: see IN-² & NOMINATE]

innominate bone either of the two large, irregular bones that, together with the sacrum and coccyx, make up the pelvis: it is formed of three bones, the ilium, ischium, and pubis, which become fused in the adult

innovate (in´э veit') -vat'ed, -vat'ing •vi. to introduce new methods, devices, etc. •vt. to bring in as an innovation in´no·va'tive •adj. in´no·va'tor •n. [< L innovatus, pp. of innovare, to renew < in-, in + novare, to renew, alter < novus, NEW]

innovation (in'э vei´shэn) •n. 1 the act or process of innovating 2 something newly introduced; new method, custom, device, etc.; change in the way of doing things in'no·va´tion·al •adj. [LL innovatio]

innoxious (in näk´shэs, ai näk´-) •adj. not noxious; harmless; innocuous [L innoxius]

Inns of Court 1 the four legal societies in London having the exclusive right to admit persons to practice at the bar 2 the four groups of buildings (Gray's Inn, Lincoln's Inn, Inner Temple, and Middle Temple) belonging to these societies [see INN, 3]

Innsbruck (inz´bruk'; Ger ins´břuk) city in the Tyrol region, W Austria, on the Inn River: pop. 117,000

innuendo (in'yu: en´dou') pl. -does or -dos •n. 1 Law explanatory material set forth in the complaint in an action for libel or slander which explains the expressions alleged to be libelous or slanderous 2 an indirect remark, gesture, or reference, usually implying something derogatory; insinuation [L, by nodding to, abl. of ger. of innuere, to nod to, hint < in-, in + -nuere, to nod < IE base *neu-, to jerk, beckon, nod > Sans návatē, (he) turns, L numen, a nod]

innumerable (in nu:´mer э bэl, i nu:´-; -nyu:´-) •adj. too numerous to be counted; very many; countless Also [Old Poet.] in·nu´mer·ous in·nu'mer·a·bil´i·ty or in·nu´mer·a·ble·ness •n. in·nu´mer·a·bly •adv. [ME < L innumerabilis: see IN-² & NUMERABLE]

innumerate (-mэr it) •adj. [Chiefly Brit.] not numerate; lacking the knowledge needed to deal with scientific, esp. mathematical, concepts in·nu´mer·a·cy (-mэr э si:) •n.

innutrition (in'nu: trish´эn, -nyu:-) •n. lack of nutrition

inobservance (in'эb zør´vэns) •n. 1 lack of attention; disregard 2 failure to observe a custom, rule, etc. in'ob·serv´ant •adj.

inoculable (i näk´yu: lэ bэl, -yэ-) •adj. 1 that can be communicated by inoculation 2 that can be infected with a disease by inoculation 3 that may be used in inoculation in·oc'u·la·bil´i·ty •n. [fol. + -ABLE]

inoculate (i näk´yu: leit', -yэ-) -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vt. 1 a) to inject a serum, vaccine, etc. into (a living organism), esp. in order to create immunity b) to communicate (a disease) in this way 2 to put or implant microorganisms into (soil, a culture medium, etc.) to develop a culture, stimulate growth, fix nitrogen, etc. 3 to introduce ideas, etc. into the mind of; imbue; infect in·oc´u·la'tive (-leit'iv; -lэ tiv) •adj. in·oc´u·la'tor •n. [ME enoculaten < L inoculatus, pp. of inoculare, to engraft a bud in another plant < in-, in + oculus, a bud, EYE]

inoculation (i näk'yu: lei´shэn, -yэ-) •n. the act or process of inoculating; esp., a) the injection of a disease agent into an animal or plant, usually to cause a mild form of the disease and build up immunity to it b) the putting of bacteria, serum, etc. into soil, a culture medium, etc. [L inoculatio]

inoculum (i näk´yu: lэm, -yэ-) •n. material used in an inoculation, as bacteria Also in·oc´u·lant [ModL]

inodorous (in ou´dэr эs) •adj. not odorous; odorless

inoffensive (in'э fen´siv) •adj. not offensive; not objectionable; causing no harm, discomfort, or annoyance in'of·fen´sive·ly •adv. in'of·fen´sive·ness •n.

inofficious (in'э fish´эs) •adj. Law showing neglect of moral duty: said esp. of a will that unreasonably deprives an heir of a just inheritance [L inofficiosus, undutiful: see IN-² & OFFICIOUS]

Inönü (i: nö nü´), Is·met (is met´) 1884-1973; Turk. statesman: president of Turkey (1938-50): prime minister (1923-24; 1925-37; 1961-65)

inoperable (in äp´эr э bэl) •adj. not operable; specif., a) not practicable b) that will not practicably allow of surgical operation {an inoperable cancer} c) inoperative

inoperative (in äp´эr э tiv, -эr eit'iv) •adj. not operative; not working; not functioning; without effect

inoperculate (in'ou pør´kyu: lit) •adj. lacking a definite, separable lid, as some spore cases [IN-² + OPERCULATE]

inopportune (in äp'эr tu:n´, -tyu:n) •adj. not opportune; coming or happening at a poor time; not appropriate in·op'por·tune´ly •adv. in·op'por·tune´ness •n. [L inopportunus]

inordinate (in ör´dэ nit, -örd´ªn it) •adj. 1 disordered; not regulated 2 lacking restraint or moderation; too great or too many; immoderate SYN. EXCESSIVE in·or´di·nate·ly •adv. in·or´di·nate·ness •n. [ME inordinat < L inordinatus: see IN-² & ORDINATE]

inorganic (in'ör gæn´ik) •adj. not organic; specif., a) designating or composed of matter that is not animal or vegetable; not having the organized structure of living things b) not like an organism in structure; without design, relation, and coordination of parts c) designating or of any chemical compound not classified as organic: most inorganic compounds do not contain carbon and are derived from mineral sources d) designating or of the branch of chemistry dealing with these compounds in'or·gan´i·cal·ly •adv.

inosculate (in äs´kyu: leit') -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vt., vi. 1 a) to join together by openings at the ends (said of arteries, ducts, etc.) b) to intertwine (said of vines, etc.) 2 to join, blend, or unite intimately in·os'cu·la´tion •n. [IN-¹ + OSCULATE]

inositol (in ou´sэ töl', -toul', -täl'; -sэ töl') •n. a sweet crystalline alcohol, C6H6(OH)6, existing in nine isomeric forms and found in both plant and animal tissues, esp. the form found in the vitamin B complex that may have some effect on cholesterol metabolism Also in·o·site (in´ou sait') [< Gr is (gen. inos), muscle, fiber, strength (see INION) + -IT(E)¹ + -OL¹]

inpatient (in´pei´shэnt) •n. a patient who is lodged and fed in a hospital, clinic, etc. while receiving treatment

inphase (in´feiz') •adj. Elec. being of the same phase

input (in´put') •n. 1 the act of putting in 2 what is put in; specif., a) the amount of money, material, effort, etc. put into a project or process; investment b) electric current, voltage, or power put into a circuit, machine, etc. c) data or programs entered or to be entered into a computer for processing d) any offered information, as an opinion or advice 3 a terminal connection for receiving electric power or signals •vt. -put', -put'ting to feed (information) into a computer •adj. of or relating to computer input

inquest (in´kwest') •n. 1 a judicial inquiry, as a coroner's investigation of a death 2 the jury or group holding such an inquiry 3 the verdict of such an inquiry [ME enqueste < OFr < VL *inquaesita, fem. pp. of *inquaerere: see INQUIRE]

inquietude (in kwai´э tud', -tyu:d') •n. restlessness; uneasiness [ME < MFr inquiétude < LL inquietudo < L inquietus, restless: see IN-² & QUIET]

inquiline (in´kwэ lain', -lin) •n. an animal, usually an insect, that lives in the nest or abode of another, with or without harm to the host: cf. COMMENSAL in´qui·lin·ism' (-lin iz'эm) •n. [L inquilinus, inhabitant < in-, in + stem of colere, to till, dwell: see CULT]

inquire (in kwair´) -quired´, -quir´ing •vi. 1 to seek information; ask a question or questions 2 to carry out an examination or investigation: usually with into •vt. to seek information about {to inquire the way} SYN. ASK inquire after to pay respects by asking about the health of inquire for 1 to ask to see (someone) 2 to try to get by asking in·quir´er •n. in·quir´ing·ly •adv. [ME enqueren < OFr enquerre < VL *inquaerere, for L inquirere < in-, into + quaerere, to seek]

inquiry (in´kwэ ri:, -kwэr i:; in kwair´i:, -kwai´ri:; also in´kwir'i:; -kwair'i:, -kwai'ri:) pl. -quir·ies •n. 1 the act of inquiring 2 an investigation or examination 3 a question; query [earlier enquery < ME enquere]

inquisition (in'kwэ zish´эn) •n. 1 the act of inquiring; investigation 2 [I-] R.C.Ch. a) the general tribunal established in the 13th cent. for the discovery and suppression of heresy and the punishment of heretics b) the activities of this tribunal 3 a) any harsh or arbitrary suppression or punishment of dissidents or nonconformists b) any severe or intensive questioning 4 Law a) an inquest or any judicial inquiry b) the written finding of such an inquiry in'qui·si´tion·al •adj. [ME inquicisioun < OFr inquisition < L inquisitio < inquisitus, pp. of inquirere]

inquisitionist (-ist) •n. INQUISITOR

inquisitive (in kwiz´э tiv) •adj. 1 inclined to ask many questions or seek information; eager to learn 2 asking more questions than is necessary or proper; prying SYN. CURIOUS in·quis´i·tive·ly •adv. in·quis´i·tive·ness •n. [ME enquesitif < OFr inquisitif < LL inquisitivus < L inquisitus, pp. of inquirere: see INQUIRE]

inquisitor (in kwiz´э tэr) •n. 1 an official whose work is examining, or making an inquisition 2 any harsh or prying questioner 3 [I-] an official of the Inquisition [OFr inquisiteur < L inquisitor < inquisitus, pp.: see INQUIRE]

inquisitorial (in kwiz'э tör´i: эl) •adj. 1 of or like an inquisitor or inquisition 2 inquisitive; prying in·quis'i·to´ri·al·ly •adv. [< ML inquisitorius]

-in-residence combining form appointed to work at, and usually residing at, a given institution, as a college, for a certain period {the English Department's poet-in-residence taught three courses}

INRI Bible Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews: the inscription placed over Christ's head during the crucifixion Cf. Luke 23:38 [L Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum]

inroad (in´roud') •n. 1 a sudden invasion or raid 2 [usually pl.] any advance; esp., an intrusion or encroachment {inroads on the domestic markets} [IN-¹ + ROAD (in obs. sense of riding)]

inrush (in´rûsh') •n. a rushing in; inflow; influx

ins 1 inches 2 insulated 3 insurance

insalivate (in sæl´э veit') -vat'ed, -vat'ing •vt. to mix (food) with saliva in chewing [IN-¹ + SALIVATE]

insalubrious (in'sэ lu:´bri: эs) •adj. not salubrious; not healthful; unwholesome in'sa·lu´bri·ty (-brэ ti:) •n. [< L insalubris + -OUS]

insane (in sein´) •adj. 1 not sane; mentally ill or deranged; demented; mad: not a technical term: see INSANITY Æ 2 of or for insane people {an insane asylum} 3 very foolish, impractical, extravagant, etc.; senseless in·sane´ly •adv. [L insanus]

insanitary (in sæn´э ter'i:) •adj. not sanitary; unhealthful; likely to cause disease

insanity (in sæn´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the state of being insane; mental illness or derangement, usually excluding amentia: not a technical term 2 Law any form or degree of mental derangement or unsoundness of mind, permanent or temporary, that makes a person incapable of what is regarded legally as normal, rational conduct or judgment: it usually implies a need for hospitalization 3 great folly; extreme senselessness SYN.—insanity, current in popular and legal language but not used technically in medicine (see definition above), implies mental derangement in one who formerly had mental health; lunacy specifically suggests periodic spells of insanity, but is now most commonly used in its extended sense of extreme folly; dementia is the general term for an acquired mental disorder, now generally one of organic origin, as distinguished from amentia (congenital mental deficiency); psychosis is the psychiatric term for any of various specialized mental disorders, functional or organic, in which the personality is seriously disorganized —ANT. sanity [L insanitas < insanus]

insatiable (in sei´shэ bэl, -shi: э-) •adj. constantly wanting more; that cannot be satisfied or appeased; very greedy in·sa'ti·a·bil´i·ty •n. in·sa´ti·a·bly •adv. [see IN-² & SATIATE]

insatiate (in sei´shэt; -shi: эt, -eit') •adj. not satiated; never satisfied; insatiable in·sa´ti·ate·ly •adv. in·sa´ti·ate·ness •n. [L insatiatus]

inscape (in´skeip') •n. the essential quality of a thing, place, person, etc., especially as expressed in an artistic work

inscribe (in skraib´) -scribed´, -scrib´ing •vt. 1 a) to write, mark, or engrave (words, symbols, etc.) on some surface b) to write on, mark, or engrave (a surface) 2 to add the name of (someone) to a list; enroll 3 a) to dedicate (a book, song, etc.) briefly and informally b) to write a short, signed message in (a book, etc. one is presenting as a gift) 4 to fix or impress deeply or lastingly in the mind, memory, etc. 5 Geom. to draw (a figure) inside another figure so that their boundaries touch at as many points as possible in·scrib´er •n. [L inscribere: see IN-¹ & SCRIBE]

inscription (in skrip´shэn) •n. 1 the act of inscribing 2 something inscribed or engraved, as on a coin or monument 3 a) a brief or informal dedication in a book, etc. b) a short, signed message written in a book, etc. one is presenting as a gift in·scrip´tive or in·scrip´tion·al •adj. [ME inscripcioun < L inscriptio < inscriptus, pp. of inscribere]

inscrutable (in skru:t´э bэl) •adj. that cannot be easily understood; completely obscure or mysterious; unfathomable; enigmatic SYN. MYSTERIOUS in·scru'ta·bil´i·ty •n. in·scru´ta·bly •adv. [ME < LL(Ec) inscrutabilis < L in-, not + scrutari, to search carefully, examine: see SCRUTINY]

inseam (in´si:m') •n. an inner seam; specif., the seam from the crotch to the bottom of a trouser leg

insect (in´sekt') •n. 1 any of a large class (Insecta) of small arthropod animals characterized, in the adult state, by division of the body into head, thorax, and abdomen, three pairs of legs on the thorax, and, usually, two pairs of membranous wings, including beetles, bees, flies, wasps, and mosquitoes 2 popularly, any small arthropod, usually wingless, including spiders, centipedes, pill bugs, and mites 3 an unimportant or contemptible person [< L insectum (animale), lit., notched (animal), neut. of pp. of insecare, to cut into < in-, in + secare, to cut (see SAW²): from the segmented bodies: cf. ENTOMO-]

insectarium (in'sek ter´i: эm) pl. -i·a (-э) a place where insects are raised, esp. for study: also in·sec·ta·ry (in sek´tэ ri:, in´sek'-; in´sek ter'i:), pl. -ta·ries •n. [ModL]

insecticide (in sek´tэ said') •n. any substance used to kill insects in·sec'ti·ci´dal •adj. [< INSECT + -CIDE]

insectifuge (in sek´tэ fyu:j') •n. any substance used to repel or drive away insects

insectile (in sek´tэl) •adj. 1 of or like an insect: also in·sec·ti·val (in'sek tai´vэl) 2 consisting of insects

insectivore (in sek´tэ vör') •n. 1 any of an order (Insectivora) of generally small, primitive mammals that are active mainly at night and that feed principally on insects, as moles, shrews, or hedgehogs 2 any animal or plant that feeds on insects [Fr < ModL insectivorus: see INSECTIVOROUS]

insectivorous (in'sek tiv´э rэs) •adj. feeding chiefly on insects [ModL insectivorus: see INSECT & -VOROUS]

insecure (in'si kyur´) •adj. not secure; specif., a) not safe from danger b) not confident; filled with anxieties; apprehensive c) not firm or dependable; unreliable in'se·cure´ly •adv. in'se·cu´ri·ty, pl. -ties, •n. [ML insecurus]

inselberg (in´sэl børg', -zэl-) pl. -bergs •n.or -berge a monadnock of an arid or semiarid region

inseminate (in sem´э neit') -nat'ed, -nat'ing •vt. 1 to sow seeds in; esp., to impregnate by sexual intercourse or by artificially injecting semen 2 to implant (ideas, etc.) in (the mind, etc.) in·sem'i·na´tion •n. [< L inseminatus, pp. of inseminare, to sow in < in-, in + seminare, to sow < semen, seed: see SEMEN]

insensate (in sen´seit', -sit) •adj. 1 lacking sensation; not feeling, or not capable of feeling, sensation; inanimate 2 without sense or reason; foolish; stupid 3 lacking sensibility; without regard or feeling for others; cold; insensitive in·sen´sate'ly •adv. in·sen´sate'ness •n. [LL(Ec) insensatus, irrational < L in-, IN-² + sensatus, gifted with sense < sensus, SENSE]

insensible (in sen´sэ bэl) •adj. 1 lacking sensation; not having the power to perceive with the senses 2 having lost sensation; unconscious 3 not recognizing or realizing; unaware; indifferent 4 not responsive emotionally; without feeling 5 so small, slight, or gradual as to be virtually imperceptible 6 not intelligible; without meaning: now chiefly in legal use 7 [Obs.] senseless; stupid in·sen'si·bil´i·ty •n. in·sen´si·bly •adv. [OFr < L insensibilis: see IN-² & SENSIBLE]

insensitive (in sen´sэ tiv) •adj. not sensitive; esp., incapable of being impressed, influenced, or affected; having little or no reaction (to) in·sen´si·tive·ly •adv. in·sen'si·tiv´i·ty or in·sen´si·tive·ness •n.

insentient (in sen´shэnt, -shi: эnt) •adj. not sentient; without life, consciousness, or perception in·sen´ti·ence •n.

inseparable (in sep´э rэ bэl) •adj. not separable; that cannot be separated or parted {inseparable friends} •n. inseparable persons or things in·sep'a·ra·bil´i·ty or in·sep´a·ra·ble·ness •n. in·sep´a·ra·bly •adv.

insert (for v. in sørt'; for n. in´sørt') •vt. to put or fit (something) into something else; put in; introduce •n. anything inserted or for insertion; esp., an extra leaf or section inserted, as in a publication [< L insertus, pp. of inserere < in-, in + serere, to join]

inserted (in sørt´id) •adj. Biol. joined by natural growth

insertion (in sør´shэn) •n. 1 an inserting or being inserted 2 something inserted; specif., a) a piece of lace or embroidery that can be set into a piece of cloth for ornamentation b) a single placement of an advertisement, as in a newspaper 3 Anat. the point of attachment of a muscle to the part that it moves [L insertio]

in-service (in´sør´vis) •adj. designating or of training, as in special courses, workshops, etc., given to employees in connection with their work to help them develop skills, etc.

insessorial (in'se sör´i: эl) •adj. adapted for perching, as a bird's foot or claw: also said of birds that frequently perch [< ModL Insessores, pl., perching birds < L insessor, occupant, lit., one who sits in or on < insidere (see INSIDIOUS) + -IAL]

inset (for v. in set´, in´set'; for n. in´set') -set´, -set´ting •vt. to set into something; insert •n. something set in; insert; specif., a) a smaller picture or map set within the border of a larger one b) a piece of material set into a garment [ME insetten < OE insettan, to set in, appoint < in-, in + settan, to SET]

inshallah (in shäl´ä) •interj. Allah, or God, willing; please God [Ar]

inshore (in´shör', in shör´) •adv., adj. 1 in toward the shore 2 near the shore inshore of nearer than (something else) to the shore

inside (in´said', in´said´, in said´) •n. 1 the part lying within; inner side, surface, or part; interior 2 the part closest to something specified or implied, as the part of a sidewalk closest to the buildings 3 [pl.] [Colloq.] the internal organs of the body, as the stomach and intestines •adj. 1 on or in the inside; internal 2 of or suited for the inside 3 working or used indoors; indoor Æ 4 known only to insiders; secret or private {the inside story} 5 Baseball passing between home plate and the batter •adv. 1 on or to the inside; within 2 indoors •prep. inside of; in; within Æ inside of in less than (a specified time or distance); within the space of inside out 1 with the inside where the outside should be; reversed 2 [Colloq.] thoroughly; completely on the inside Æ 1 in a position allowing access to secret information, special advantage or favor, etc. 2 in one's inner thoughts or feelings

inside job [Colloq.] a crime committed by, or with the aid of, a person employed or trusted by the victim

Inside Passage protected sea route along the W coast of North America, from Seattle, Wash., to the N part of the Alas. panhandle: the route uses channels and straits between islands and the mainland: c. 950 mi. (1,530 km) long

inside track 1 the inner, shorter way around a racetrack 2 a favorable position or advantage

insider (in´said'эr, in'said´-) •n. 1 a person inside a given place or group 2 a person having or likely to have secret or confidential information

insider trading the buying or selling of a company's stock by one who has access to information not made public: trading based on such information may be illegal

insidious (in sid´i: эs) •adj. 1 characterized by treachery or slyness; crafty; wily 2 operating in a slow or not easily apparent manner; more dangerous than seems evident {an insidious disease} in·sid´i·ous·ly •adv. in·sid´i·ous·ness •n. [L insidiosus < insidiae, an ambush, plot < insidere, to sit in or on, lie in wait for < in-, in + sedere, to SIT]

insight (in´sait') •n. 1 the ability to see and understand clearly the inner nature of things, esp. by intuition 2 a clear understanding of the inner nature of some specific thing 3 a) Psychol. awareness of one's own mental attitudes and behavior b) Psychiatry recognition of one's own mental disorder [ME insiht: see IN-¹ & SIGHT]

insightful (in sait´fэl; in´sait'-) •adj. having or showing insight in·sight´ful·ly •adv.

insignia (in sig´ni: э) sing. in·sig´ne (-ni:) •n.pl. badges, emblems, or other distinguishing marks, as of rank, membership, etc. •n.sing. pl. in·sig´ni·as such a badge, emblem, etc. [L, pl. of insigne, neut. of insignis, distinguished by a mark < in-, in + signum, a mark, SIGN]

insignificant (in'sig nif´i kэnt) •adj. 1 having little or no meaning 2 having little or no importance; trivial 3 small; unimposing 4 low in position, character, etc.; mean in'sig·nif´i·cance or in'sig·nif´i·can·cy •n. in'sig·nif´i·cant·ly •adv. [IN-² + SIGNIFICANT]

insincere (in'sin sir´) •adj. not sincere; deceptive or hypocritical; not to be trusted in'sin·cere´ly •adv. [L insincerus]

insincerity (in'sin ser´э ti:) •n. 1 the quality of being insincere 2 pl. -ties an insincere act, remark, etc.

insinuate (in sin´yu: eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. 1 to introduce or work into gradually, indirectly, and artfully {to insinuate oneself into another's favor} 2 to hint or suggest indirectly; imply •vi. to make insinuations SYN. SUGGEST in·sin´u·at'ing·ly •adv. in·sin´u·a'tive •adj. in·sin´u·a'tor •n. [< L insinuatus, pp. of insinuare, to introduce by windings and turnings, insinuate < in-, in + sinus, curved surface]

insinuation (in sin'yu: ei´shэn) •n. 1 the act of insinuating 2 something insinuated; specif., a) a sly hint or suggestion, esp. against someone b) action or remark intended to win favor; ingratiation [L insinuatio]

insipid (in sip´id) •adj. 1 without flavor; tasteless 2 not exciting or interesting; dull; lifeless in'si·pid´i·ty, pl. -ties, •n. in·sip´id·ly •adv. SYN.—insipid implies a lack of taste or flavor and is, hence, figuratively applied to anything that is lifeless, dull, etc. [insipid table talk]; vapid and flat apply to that which once had, but has since lost, freshness, sharpness, tang, zest, etc. [the vapid, or flat, epigrams that had once so delighted him]; banal is used of that which is so trite or hackneyed as to seem highly vapid or flat [her banal compliments] —ANT. zestful, spicy, pungent [< Fr & LL: Fr insipide < LL insipidus < L in-, not + sapidus, savory < sapere, to taste: see SAPIENT]

insipience (in sip´i: эns) •n. [Archaic] lack of wisdom or intelligence; stupidity in·sip´i·ent •adj. [ME < OFr < L insipientia < insipiens, unwise, foolish < in- + sapiens, wise: see IN-² & SAPIENT]

insist (in sist´) •vi. to take and maintain a stand or make a firm demand: often with on or upon •vt. 1 to demand strongly 2 to declare firmly or persistently in·sist´er •n. in·sist´ing·ly •adv. [MFr insister < L insistere, to stand on, pursue diligently, persist < in-, in, on + sistere, to stand, redupl. of stare, STAND]

insistence (in sis´tэns) •n. 1 the quality of being insistent 2 the act or an instance of insisting Also in·sist´en·cy, pl. -cies

insistent (-tэnt) •adj. 1 insisting or demanding; persistent in demands or assertions 2 compelling the attention {an insistent rhythm} in·sist´ent·ly •adv. [L insistens]

insnare (in sner´) -snared´, -snar´ing •vt. var. of ENSNARE

insobriety (in'sou brai´э ti:, -sэ-) •n. lack of sobriety; intemperance, esp. in drinking

insofar (in'sou fär´) •adv. to such a degree or extent: usually with as {insofar as one can tell}

insolate (in´sou leit') -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vt. to expose to the rays of the sun so as to dry, bleach, etc. [< L insolatus, pp. of insolare, to expose to the sun < in-, in + sol, the SUN¹]

insolation (in'sou lei´shэn) •n. 1 the act or an instance of insolating 2 the treatment of disease by exposure to the sun's rays 3 SUNSTROKE 4 Meteorol. a) the radiation from the sun received by a surface, esp. the earth's surface b) the rate of such radiation per unit of surface [L insolatio]

insole (in´soul') •n. 1 the inside sole of a shoe 2 an extra, removable inside sole put in for comfort

insolent (in´sэ lэnt) •adj. 1 boldly disrespectful in speech or behavior; impertinent; impudent 2 [Now Rare] arrogantly contemptuous; overbearing SYN. IMPERTINENT, PROUD in´so·lence •n. in'so·lent·ly •adv. [ME < L insolens < in-, IN-² + solens, prp. of solere, to be accustomed]

insoluble (in säl´yu: bэl) •adj. 1 that cannot be solved; unsolvable 2 that cannot be dissolved; not soluble in·sol'u·bil´i·ty or in·sol´u·ble·ness •n. in·sol´u·bly •adv. [ME insolible < L insolubilis]

insolvable (in säl´vэ bэl) •adj. that cannot be solved

insolvency (in säl´vэn si:) pl. -cies •n. the fact or condition of being insolvent; bankruptcy

insolvent (in säl´vэnt) •adj. 1 not solvent; unable to pay debts as they become due; bankrupt 2 not enough to pay all debts {an insolvent inheritance} 3 of insolvents or insolvency •n. an insolvent person

insomnia (in säm´ni: э) •n. abnormally prolonged inability to sleep, esp. when chronic in·som´ni·ac' (-æk') •n., adj. [L < insomnis, sleepless < in-, IN-² + somnus, sleep: see SOMNOLENT]

insomuch (in'sou mûch´) •adv. 1 to such a degree or extent; so: with that 2 inasmuch (as)

insouciant (in su:´si: эnt; also, -shэnt) •adj. calm and untroubled; carefree; indifferent in·sou´ci·ance (-эns) •n. in·sou´ci·ant·ly •adv. [Fr < in-, not + souciant, prp. of soucier, to regard, care < L sollicitare: see SOLICIT]

insoul (in soul´) •vt. var. of ENSOUL

insp inspector

inspan (in spæn´) -spanned´, -span´ning •vt., vi. in South Africa, to harness or yoke (animals) to a wagon, etc. [Afrik < Du inspannen: see IN-¹ & SPAN¹]

inspect (in spekt´) •vt. 1 to look at carefully; examine critically, esp. in order to detect flaws, errors, etc. 2 to examine or review (troops, etc.) officially SYN. SCRUTINIZE in·spec´tive •n. [L inspectare, freq. < inspectus, pp. of inspicere, to look into, examine < in-, in, at + specere, to look at: see SPY]

inspection (in spek´shэn) •n. 1 critical examination 2 official examination or review, as of troops [OFr < L inspectio < inspectus: see INSPECT]

inspector (in spek´tэr) •n. 1 a person who inspects; official examiner; overseer 2 an officer on a police force, ranking next below a superintendent or police chief 3 a fire department officer in charge of prevention of fires, as in public buildings in·spec´to·ral or in'spec·to´ri·al (-tör´i: эl) •adj. in·spec´tor·ship' •n.

inspector general pl. inspectors general an official, as of a government department, whose responsibility is to investigate and report on that department

inspectorate (-it, -eit') •n. 1 the position or duties of an inspector 2 inspectors collectively 3 the district supervised by an inspector

insphere (in sfir´) -sphered´, -spher´ing •vt. var. of ENSPHERE

inspiration (in'spэ rei´shэn) •n. 1 a breathing in, as of air into the lungs; inhaling 2 an inspiring or being inspired mentally or emotionally 3 a) an inspiring influence; any stimulus to creative thought or action b) an inspired idea, action, etc. 4 a prompting of something to be written or said 5 Theol. a divine influence upon human beings, as that resulting in the writing of the Scriptures [ME inspiracioun < OFr inspiration < LL inspiratio]

inspirational (-shэ nэªl) •adj. 1 of or giving inspiration; inspiring 2 produced, influenced, or stimulated by inspiration; inspired in'spi·ra´tion·al·ly •adv.

inspiratory (in spair´э tör'i:) •adj. of, for, or characterized by inspiration, or inhalation [< L inspiratus, pp. of inspirare (see INSPIRE) + -ORY]

inspire (in spair´) -spired´, -spir´ing •vt. 1 orig., a) to breathe or blow upon or into b) to infuse (life, etc. into) by breathing 2 to draw (air) into the lungs; inhale 3 to have an animating effect upon; influence or impel; esp., to stimulate or impel to some creative or effective effort 4 to cause, guide, communicate, or motivate as by divine or supernatural influence 5 to arouse or produce (a thought or feeling) {kindness inspires love} 6 to affect with a specified feeling or thought {to inspire someone with fear} 7 to occasion, cause, or produce 8 to prompt, or cause to be written or said, by influence {to inspire a rumor} •vi. 1 to inhale 2 to give inspiration in·spir´a·ble •adj. in·spir´er •n. [ME inspiren < OFr inspirer < L inspirare < in-, in, on + spirare, to breathe: see SPIRIT]

inspirit (in spir´it) •vt. to put spirit into; give life or courage to; cheer; exhilarate

inspissate (in spis´eit') -sat'ed, -sat'ing •vt., vi. to thicken, as by evaporation; condense in'spis·sa´tion •n. in´spis·sa'tor •n. [< LL inspissatus, thick < L in-, in + spissatus, pp. of spissare, to thicken < spissus, thick < IE base *spei-, to flourish, grow fat > SPEED, Ger speck, bacon]

inst 1 INSTANT (sense adv.2) 2 institute 3 institution 4 instrumental

instability (in'stэ bil´э ti:) •n. 1 lack of stability; unstableness; specif., a) lack of firmness or steadiness b) lack of determination; irresolution 2 tendency to behave or react violently or erratically {the instability of a chemical compound, emotional instability}

instable (in stei´bэl) •adj. var. of UNSTABLE [L instabilis]

install or instal (in stöl´) -stalled´, -stall´ing •vt. 1 to place in an office, rank, etc., with formality or ceremony 2 to establish in a place or condition; settle {to install oneself in a deck chair} 3 to fix in position for use {to install new fixtures} in·stall´er •n. [ML(Ec) installare < in-, in + stallum < OHG stal, a place, seat, STALL¹]

installation (in'stэ lei´shэn) •n. 1 an installing or being installed 2 a complete mechanical apparatus fixed in position for use {a heating installation} 3 any military post, camp, base, etc. [ML(Ec) installatio]

installment plan a credit system by which debts, as for purchased articles, are paid in installments

installment¹ (in stöl´mэnt) •n. 1 any of the parts of a debt or other sum of money to be paid at regular times over a specified period 2 any of several parts, as of a serial story, appearing at intervals [altered (infl. by INSTALL) < estallment < estall, to arrange payments for < OFr estaler, to stop, fix < estal, a halt, place < OHG stal: see STALL¹]

installment² (in stöl´mэnt) •n. an installing or being installed; installation [INSTALL + -MENT]

instalment (in stöl´mэnt) •n. 1 INSTALLMENT¹ 2 INSTALLMENT²

instance (in´stэns) •n. 1 orig., an urgent plea; persistent solicitation 2 an example; case; illustration 3 a step in proceeding; occasion or case {in the first instance} 4 [Obs.] a motive; cause 5 [Obs.] a token or sign 6 a detail or circumstance 7 Law a process or proceeding in a court; suit •vt. -stanced, -stanc·ing 1 to show by means of an instance; exemplify 2 to use as an example; cite at the instance of at the suggestion or instigation of for instance as an example; by way of illustration SYN.—instance refers to a person, thing, or event that is adduced to prove or support a general statement [here is an instance of his sincerity]; case is applied to any happening or condition that demonstrates the general existence or occurrence of something [a case of mistaken identity]; example is applied to something that is cited as typical of the members of its group [his novel is an example of romantic literature]; illustration is used of an instance or example that helps to explain or clarify something [this sentence is an illustration of the use of a word] [ME instaunce < OFr instance < L instantia, a standing upon or near, being present < instans: see INSTANT]

instancy (in´stэn si:) •n. the quality or condition of being instant; specif., a) urgency; insistence b) [Rare] immediacy [L instantia]

instant (in´stэnt) •adj. 1 urgent; pressing 2 soon to happen; imminent 3 without delay; immediate {to demand instant obedience} 4 designating a food or beverage in readily soluble, concentrated, or precooked form, that can be prepared quickly, as by adding water 5 [Archaic] present; current •adv. 1 [Old Poet.] at once; instantly 2 (in the) present (month): an old-fashioned usage {yours of the 13th (day) instant received}: cf. PROXIMO, ULTIMO •n. 1 a point or very short space of time; moment 2 a particular moment on the instant without delay the instant as soon as [LME < MFr < L instans, prp. of instare, to stand upon or near, press < in-, in, upon + stare, to STAND]

instant replay the reshowing of an action, as of a play in a sports contest, often in slow motion, immediately after it has been recorded on videotape

instantaneous (in'stэn tei´ni: эs) •adj. 1 done, made, or happening in an instant 2 done or made without delay; immediate {an instantaneous reply} 3 existing at a particular instant in'stan·ta´ne·ous·ly •adv. in'stan·ta´ne·ous·ness •n. [ML instantaneus]

instanter (in stæn´tэr) •adv. Law without delay; immediately [L, earnestly, pressingly < instans: see INSTANT]

instantiate (in stæn´shi: eit') -ated, -ating •vt. to represent by a concrete example; instance

instantly (in´stэnt li:) •adv. 1 in an instant; without delay; immediately 2 [Archaic] urgently; pressingly conj. as soon as; the instant that {I came instantly I saw the need}

instar¹ (in´stär') •n. any of the various stages of an insect or other arthropod between molts [ModL < L, a shape, form < instare: see INSTANT]

instar² (in stär´) -starred´, -star´ring •vt. [Archaic] 1 to stud or adorn as with stars 2 to place as a star

instate (in steit´) -stat'ed, -stat´ing •vt. 1 to put in a particular status, position, or rank; install 2 [Obs.] to endow; invest (with) [IN-¹ + STATE]

instauration (in'stö rei´shэn) •n. 1 the act of restoring; repair; renewal 2 [Obs.] the act of instituting or founding [L instauratio < instauratus, pp. of instaurare, to renew, repeat: see STORE]

instead (in sted´) •adv. in place of the person or thing mentioned: as an alternative or substitute {to feel like crying and laugh instead} instead of in place of [IN + STEAD]

instep (in´step') •n. 1 the upper part of the arch of the foot, between the ankle and the toes 2 the part of a shoe or stocking that covers this 3 the front part of the hind leg of a horse, between the hock and the pastern joint [prob. IN-¹ + STEP]

instigate (in´stэ geit') -gat'ed, -gat'ing •vt. 1 to urge on, spur on, or incite to some action, esp. to some evil {to instigate others to strife} 2 to cause by inciting; foment {to instigate a rebellion} SYN. INCITE in'sti·ga´tion •n. in´sti·ga'tive •adj. in´sti·ga'tor •n. [< L instigatus, pp. of instigare, to stimulate, incite < in-, IN-¹ + -stigare, to prick: for IE base see STICK]

instill or instil (in stil´) -stilled´, -still´ing •vt. 1 to put in drop by drop 2 to put (an idea, principle, feeling, etc.) in or into little by little; impart gradually in'stil·la´tion •n. in·still´er •n. in·still´ment or in·stil´ment •n. [MFr instiller < L instillare < in-, in + stillare, to drop < stilla, a drop]

instinct (for n. in´stiŋkt'; for adj. in stiŋkt´, in´stiŋkt') •n. 1 (an) inborn tendency to behave in a way characteristic of a species; natural, unlearned, predictable response to stimuli {suckling is an instinct in mammals} 2 a natural or acquired tendency, aptitude, or talent; bent; knack; gift {an instinct for doing the right thing} 3 Psychoanalysis a primal psychic force or drive, as fear, love, or anger; specif., in Freudian analysis, either the life instinct (Eros) or the death instinct (Thanatos) •adj. filled or charged (with) {a look instinct with pity} in·stinc·tu·al (in stiŋk´chu: эl) •adj. [< L instinctus, pp. of instinguere, to impel, instigate < in-, in + *stinguere, to prick: for IE base see STICK]

instinctive (in stiŋk´tiv) •adj. 1 of, or having the nature of, instinct 2 prompted or done by instinct SYN. SPONTANEOUS in·stinc´tive·ly •adv.

institute (in´stэ tu:t', -tyu:t') -tut'ed, -tut'ing •vt. 1 to set up; establish; found; introduce 2 to start; initiate {to institute a search} 3 to install in office, esp. as a minister in a church or parish •n. something instituted; [L institutum, arrangement, plan < the v.] specif., a) an established principle, law, custom, or usage b) [pl.] a summary or digest of established principles, esp. in law c) an organization for the promotion of art, science, education, etc. d) a school specializing in art, music, etc. Æ e) a college or university specializing in technical subjects f) an institution for advanced study, research, and instruction in a restricted field Æ g) a short teaching program established for a group concerned with some special field of work h) INSTITUTION (sense 3)in´sti·tut'er or in´sti·tu'tor •n. [< L institutus, pp. of instituere, to set up, erect, construct < in-, in, on + statuere, to cause to stand, set up, place: see STATUTE]

institution (in'stэ tu:´shэn, -tyu:´-) •n. 1 an instituting or being instituted; establishment 2 an established law, custom, practice, system, etc. 3 a) an organization, society, or corporation, having a public character, as a school, church, bank, hospital, reformatory, etc. b) the building housing such an organization 4 a person or thing long established in a place [ME institucion < OFr < L institutio]

institutional (-shэ nэl) •adj. 1 of, characteristic of, or having the nature of, an institution 2 of or to institutions, rather than individuals {institutional sales} 3 designating advertising that is intended primarily to gain prestige and goodwill rather than immediate sales in'sti·tu´tion·al·ly •adv.

institutionalism (-iz'эm) •n. 1 a belief in the usefulness or sanctity of established institutions 2 the care of the poor, homeless, or others needing assistance by or in public institutions 3 the nature of such care, regarded as impersonal, standardized, etc.

institutionalize (-aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to make into or consider as an institution 2 to place in an institution, as for treatment or detention in'sti·tu'tion·al·i·za´tion •n.

institutionary (in'stэ tu:´shэ ner'i:, -tyu:´-) •adj. 1 of legal institutes 2 of institutions; institutional

institutive (in´stэ tu:t'iv, -tyu:t'-) •adj. instituting or tending to institute: of institution

instr 1 instructor 2 instrument 3 instrumental

instruct (in strûkt´) •vt. 1 to communicate knowledge to; teach; educate 2 to give facts or information to on a particular matter; inform or guide {the judge instructs the jury} 3 to order or direct {to instruct a sentry to shoot} SYN. COMMAND, TEACH [ME instructen < L instructus, pp. of instruere, to pile upon, put in order, erect < in-, in, upon + struere, to pile up, arrange, build: see STREW]

instruction (in strûk´shэn) •n. 1 the act of instructing; education 2 a) knowledge, information, etc. given or taught b) any teaching, lesson, rule, or precept 3 a) a command or order b) [pl.] details on procedure; directions c) a sequence of bits specifying an operation to be performed by a computer in·struc´tion·al •adj. [ME instruccioun < OFr instruccion < L instructio]

instructive (in strûk´tiv) •adj. serving to instruct; giving knowledge or information in·struc´tive·ly •adv. in·struc´tive·ness •n. [ML instructivus]

instructor (in strûk´tэr) •n. 1 a person who instructs; teacher Æ 2 a college teacher ranking below an assistant professor in·struc´tor·ship' •n. in·struc´tress (-tris) •n.fem. [Now Rare] [ME instructour < Anglo-Fr < L instructor, a preparer (in ML, teacher)]

instrument (in´strэ mэnt) •n. 1 a) a thing by means of which something is done; means b) a person used by another to bring something about 2 a tool or implement, esp. one used for delicate work or for scientific or artistic purposes 3 any of various devices for indicating or measuring conditions, performance, position, direction, etc. or sometimes, for controlling operations, esp. in aircraft or rocket flight 4 any of various devices producing musical sound, as a piano, drum, violin, oboe, etc. 5 Law a formal document, as a deed, contract, etc. 6 Finance a written order or promise to pay a sum of money {a negotiable instrument} •vt. 1 to provide with instruments 2 Music to arrange (a composition) for instruments; orchestrate SYN. IMPLEMENT [OFr < L instrumentum, a tool or tools, stock, furniture, dress < instruere: see INSTRUCT]

instrument flying the flying of an aircraft by the use of instruments only: distinguished from CONTACT FLYING

instrument landing a landing made using only the instruments of the aircraft and electronic or radio signals from the ground

instrument panel a panel or board with instruments, gauges, etc. mounted on it, as in an automobile or airplane

instrumental (in'strэ mэnt´ªl) •adj. 1 serving as a means; helpful (in bringing something about) 2 of or performed with an instrument or tool 3 of, performed on, or written for a musical instrument or instruments 4 of or in keeping with instrumentalism 5 Gram. designating of, or in the case of nouns, pronouns, or adjectives expressing means or agency •n. 1 a composition for a musical instrument or instruments 2 Gram. a) the instrumental case: this case is expressed by inflection in Old English, Sanskrit, Russian, etc., and in English with the prepositions by or with (Ex.: OE ð## spere, by the spear, with the spear) b) a word or phrase in this case in'stru·men´tal·ly •adv. [ME < MFr < ML instrumentalis]

instrumentalism (-iz'эm) •n. Philos. the pragmatic doctrine that ideas are plans for action serving as instruments for adjustment to the environment and that their validity is tested by their effectiveness

instrumentalist (-ist) •n. 1 a person who performs on a musical instrument 2 a person who believes in instrumentalism •adj. of or in keeping with instrumentalism

instrumentality (in'strэ men'tæl´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the condition, quality, or fact of being instrumental, or serving as a means 2 a means or agency

instrumentation (-tei´shэn) •n. 1 the composition or arrangement of music for instruments; orchestration 2 the act of developing, using, or equipping with, instruments, esp. scientific instruments 3 the instruments used, as in a mechanical apparatus or in a particular musical score, band, etc. 4 INSTRUMENTALITY (sense 2)

insubordinate (in'sэ börd´ªn it, -bör´dэ nit) •adj. not submitting to authority; disobedient •n. an insubordinate person in'sub·or´di·nate·ly •adv. in'sub·or'di·na´tion •n. [IN-² + SUBORDINATE]

insubstantial (in'sэb stæn´shэl) •adj. not substantial; specif., a) not real; imaginary b) not solid or firm; weak or flimsy in'sub·stan'ti·al´i·ty (-shi: æl´э ti:) •n. [ML insubstantialis]

insufferable (in sûf´эr э bэl) •adj. not sufferable; intolerable; unbearable in·suf´fer·a·bly •adv.

insufficiency (in'sэ fish´эn si:) pl. -cies •n. 1 lack of sufficiency; deficiency; inadequacy: also [Rare] in'suf·fi´cience (-эns) 2 inability or failure of an organ or tissue to perform its normal function: said esp. of a heart valve or heart muscle [LL insufficientia]

insufficient (in'sэ fish´эnt) •adj. not sufficient; not enough; inadequate in'suf·fi´cient·ly •adv. [LL insufficiens]

insufflate (in sûf´fleit', -sûf´leit'; in´sэ fleit') -flat'ed, -flat'ing •vt. 1 to blow or breathe into or on 2 Med. to blow (a powder, vapor, air, etc.) into a cavity of the body in'suf·fla´tion •n. in´suf·fla'tor •n. [< L insufflatus, pp. of insufflare, to blow or breathe into < in-, in + sufflare, to blow from below < sub-, under + flare, to BLOW¹]

insular (in´sэ lэr; -su-, -syu-) •adj. 1 of, or having the form of, an island 2 living or situated on an island 3 like an island; detached; isolated 4 of, like, or characteristic of islanders, esp. when regarded as narrow-minded, illiberal, or provincial 5 Med. a) characterized by isolated spots b) of the islets of Langerhans or other islands of tissue in'su·lar´i·ty (in´syu lær´э ti:) or in´su·lar·ism' •n. in´su·lar·ly •adv. [L insularis < insula, island: see ISLE]

insulate (in´sэ leit'; -su-, -syu-) -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vt. 1 to set apart; detach from the rest; isolate 2 to separate or cover with a nonconducting material in order to prevent the passage or leakage of electricity, heat, sound, radioactive particles, etc. [< L insulatus, made like an island < insula, ISLE]

insulation (in'sэ lei´shэn; -su-, -syu-) •n. 1 an insulating or being insulated 2 any material used to insulate

insulator (in´sэ leit'эr; -su-, -syu-) •n. anything that insulates; esp., a nonconductor, usually a device of glass or porcelain for insulating and supporting electric wires

insulin (in´se lin; -su-, -syu-) •n. 1 a protein hormone secreted by the islets of Langerhans, in the pancreas, which helps the body use sugar and other carbohydrates 2 a preparation extracted from the pancreas of sheep, oxen, etc. and used hypodermically in the treatment of diabetes mellitus [< L insula, island (see ISLE) + -IN¹: in allusion to the islets of Langerhans]

insulin shock the abnormal condition caused by an overdose or excess secretion of insulin, resulting in a sudden reduction in the sugar content of the blood: it is characterized by tremors, cold sweat, convulsions, and coma

insult (for v. in sûlt´; for n. in´sûlt') •vt. 1 to treat or speak to with scorn, insolence, or great disrespect; subject to treatment, a remark, etc. that hurts or is meant to hurt the feelings or pride 2 [Obs.] to attack; assail •vi. [Archaic] to behave arrogantly •n. 1 an insulting act, remark, etc.; affront; indignity 2 [Archaic] an attack; assault 3 Med. a) damage or injury to tissues or organs of the body b) anything that causes this SYN. OFFEND in·sult´er •n. in·sult´ing •adj. in·sult´ing·ly •adv. [MFr insulter < L insultare, to leap upon, scoff at, insult < in-, in, on + saltare, freq. of salire, to leap: see SALIENT]

insuperable (in su:´pэr э bэl, -syu:´-) •adj. not superable; that cannot be overcome or passed over; insurmountable in·su'per·a·bil´i·ty •n. in·su´per·a·bly •adv. [ME < L insuperabilis]

insupportable (in'sэ pört´э bэl) •adj. not supportable; specif., a) intolerable; unbearable; unendurable b) incapable of being upheld, proved, etc. {insupportable charges} in'sup·port´a·bly •adv. [LL(Ec) insupportabilis]

insuppressible (in'sэ pres´э bэl) •adj. not suppressible; that cannot be suppressed in'sup·press´i·bly •adv.

insurance (in shur´эns) •n. 1 an insuring or being insured against loss; a system of protection against loss in which a number of individuals agree to pay certain sums (premiums) periodically for a guarantee that they will be compensated under stipulated conditions for any specified loss by fire, accident, death, etc. 2 a) a contract guaranteeing such protection (usually called insurance policy: see POLICY², sense 1) b) the premium specified for such a contract 3 the amount for which life, property, etc. is insured 4 the business of insuring against loss [earlier ensurance < OFr enseurance: see ENSURE]

insure (in shur´) -sured´, -sur´ing •vt. 1 to contract to be paid or to pay money in the case of loss of (life, property, etc.); take out or issue insurance on (something or someone) 2 ENSURE •vi. to give or take out insurance in·sur'a·bil´i·ty •n. in·sur´a·ble •adj. [ME ensuren: see ENSURE]

insured (in shurd´) •n. a person whose life, property, etc. is insured against loss

insurer (in shur´эr) •n. a person or company that insures others against loss or damage; underwriter

insurgence (in sør´jэns) •n. a rising in revolt; uprising; insurrection

insurgency (in sør´jэn si:) •n. 1 the quality, state, or fact of being insurgent 2 INSURGENCE

insurgent (in sør´jэnt) •adj. rising up against established authority; rebellious; specif., a) designating or of a revolt or rebellion not well enough organized to be recognized in international law as belligerency b) designating or of a faction in revolt against the leadership of a political party •n. a person engaged in insurgent activity in·sur´gent·ly •adv. [L insurgens, prp. of insurgere, to rise up (against) < in-, in, upon + surgere, to rise: see SURGE]

insurmountable (in'sэr´maunt´э bэl) •adj. not surmountable; that cannot be passed over or overcome; insuperable in'sur·mount'a·bil´i·ty •n. in'sur·mount´a·bly •adv.

insurrection (in'sэ rek´shэn) •n. a rising up against established authority; rebellion; revolt in'sur·rec´tion·al •adj. in'sur·rec´tion·ar'y, pl. -ar'ies, •n., adj. in'sur·rec´tion·ist •n. [LME < MFr < LL insurrectio < pp. of L insurgere: see INSURGENT]

insusceptible (in'sэ sep´tэ bэl) •adj. not susceptible (to or of); not easily affected or influenced in'sus·cep'ti·bil´i·ty •n. in'sus·cep´ti·bly •adv.

int 1 interest 2 interim 3 interior 4 interjection 5 internal 6 international 7 intransitive

Int Rev Internal Revenue

intact (in tækt´) •adj. with nothing missing or injured; kept or left whole; sound; entire; unimpaired SYN. COMPLETE in·tact´ness •n. [ME intacte < L intactus < in-, not + tactus, pp. of tangere, to touch: see TACT]

intaglio (in tæl´you', -täl´-) pl. -glios' •n. 1 a design or figure carved, incised, or engraved into a hard material so that it is below the surface 2 something, as a gem or stone, ornamented with such a design or figure: opposed to CAMEO 3 the art or process of making such designs or figures 4 a method of printing from a plate on which incised lines, which carry the ink, leave a raised impression 5 a die cut to produce a design in relief •vt. -glioed', -glio·ing to engrave, carve, etc. in intaglio [It < intagliare, to cut in, engrave < in-, in + tagliare, to cut < LL taliare: see TAILOR]

intake (in´teik') •n. 1 the act or process of taking in 2 the amount or thing taken in 3 the place at which a fluid is taken into a pipe, channel, etc. {a sewer intake} 4 a narrowing; an abrupt lessening in breadth 5 Mech. the amount of energy taken in 6 Mining an air shaft

intangible (in tæn´jэ bэl) •adj. 1 that cannot be touched; incorporeal; impalpable 2 that represents value but has either no intrinsic value or no material being {goodwill is an intangible asset} 3 that cannot be easily defined, formulated, or grasped; vague •n. something intangible in·tan'gi·bil´i·ty, pl. -ties, •n. in·tan´gi·bly •adv. [ML intangibilis: see IN-² & TANGIBLE]

intarsia (in tär´si: э) •n. a style of decorative or pictorial inlay, esp. of the Italian Renaissance, involving a mosaic of wood pieces or, sometimes, ivory, metal, etc. [It intarsio < intarsiare, to inlay, incrust < in-, in + Ar tarsi, inlay work < rassaa, to inlay]

integer (in´tэ jэr) •n. 1 anything complete in itself; entity; whole 2 any positive (e.g., 5, 10) or negative (e.g., -5, -10) whole number or zero: distinguished from FRACTION [L, untouched, whole, entire < in-, not + base of tangere, to touch: see TACT]

integrable (in´tэ grэ bэl) •adj. that can be integrated

integral (in´tэ grэl; often, for adj. 1-3, in teg´rэl) •adj. 1 necessary for completeness; essential {an integral part} 2 whole or complete 3 made up of parts forming a whole 4 Math. a) of or having to do with an integer or integers; not fractional b) of or having to do with integrals or integration •n. 1 a whole 2 Math. a) the result of integrating a fraction (cf. DEFINITE INTEGRAL, INDEFINITE INTEGRAL) b) a solution of a differential equation in'te·gral´i·ty (-græl´э ti:) •n. in´te·gral·ly •adv. [LL integralis < L integer: see INTEGER]

integral calculus the branch of higher mathematics that deals with integration and its use in finding volumes, areas, equations of curves, solutions of differential equations, etc.

integrand (in´tэ grænd') •n. Math. the function or expression to be integrated [< L integrandus, ger. of integrare: see INTEGRATE]

integrant (-grэnt) •adj. integral •n. an integral part; constituent [L integrans, prp. of integrare: see INTEGRATE]

integrate (in´tэ greit') -grat'ed, -grat'ing •vt. 1 to make whole or complete by adding or bringing together parts 2 to put or bring (parts) together into a whole; unify 3 to give or indicate the whole, sum, or total of Æ 4 a) to remove the legal and social barriers imposing segregation upon (racial groups) so as to permit free and equal association b) to abolish segregation in; desegregate (a school, neighborhood, etc.) 5 Math. a) to calculate the integral or integrals of (a function, equation, etc.) b) to perform the process of integration upon 6 Psychol. to cause to undergo integration •vi. to become integrated in´te·gra'tive •adj. [< L integratus, pp. of integrare, to make whole, renew < integer: see INTEGER]

integrated circuit an electronic circuit containing many interconnected amplifying devices and circuit elements formed on a single body, or chip, of semiconductor material

integration (in'tэ grei´shэn) •n. 1 an integrating or being integrated Æ 2 the bringing of different racial or ethnic groups into free and equal association 3 Math. the process of finding the quantity or function of which a given quantity or function is the derivative or differential: opposed to DIFFERENTIATION 4 Psychol. the organization of various traits, feelings, attitudes, etc. into one harmonious personality in'te·gra´tion·al •adj. [L integratio]

integrationist (-ist) •n. a person who advocates integration, esp. of racial groups •adj. believing in or advocating integration

integrator (in´tэ greit'эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that integrates 2 a mechanical device for calculating integrals

integrity (in teg´rэ ti:) •n. 1 the quality or state of being complete; unbroken condition; wholeness; entirety 2 the quality or state of being unimpaired; perfect condition; soundness 3 the quality or state of being of sound moral principle; uprightness, honesty, and sincerity [LME integrite < L integritas < integer: see INTEGER]

integument (in teg´yu: mэnt, -yэ-) •n. a natural outer covering of the body or of a plant, including skin, shell, hide, husk, or rind in·teg'u·men´ta·ry (-men´tэr i:) •adj. [L integumentum, a covering < integere, to cover < in-, in, upon + tegere, to cover: see THATCH]

intellect (in´tэ lekt', int´ªl ekt') •n. 1 the ability to reason or understand or to perceive relationships, differences, etc.; power of thought; mind 2 great mental ability; high intelligence 3 a) a mind or intelligence, esp. a superior one b) a person of high intelligence c) minds or intelligent persons, collectively in'tel·lec´tive •adj. [ME < L intellectus, a perceiving, understanding < pp. of intellegere, intelligere, to perceive, understand < inter-, between, among + legere, to gather, pick, choose: see LOGIC]

intellection (in'tэ lek´shэn, int'ªl ek´-) •n. 1 the process of using the intellect; thinking; cognition 2 an act of the intellect; a thought or perception [ME intelleccioun < ML intellectio]

intellectual (in'tэ lek´chu: эl, int'ªl ek´-) •adj. 1 of or pertaining to the intellect 2 appealing to the intellect 3 a) requiring or involving the intellect b) inclined toward activities that involve the intellect 4 guided by the intellect rather than by feelings 5 having or showing a high degree of intellect; having superior reasoning powers •n. 1 a person with intellectual interests or tastes 2 a person engaged in intellectual work 3 a member of the intelligentsia SYN. INTELLIGENT in'tel·lec'tu·al´i·ty (-chu: æl´э ti:) •n. in'tel·lec´tu·al·ly •adv. [ME < LL intellectualis]

intellectual property something produced by the mind, of which the ownership or right to use may be legally protected by a copyright, patent, trademark, etc.

intellectualism (-iz'эm) •n. 1 the quality of being intellectual; devotion to intellectual pursuits 2 Philos. RATIONALISM (sense 2) in'tel·lec´tu·al·ist •n. in'tel·lec'tu·al·is´tic •adj.

intellectualize (-aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to make intellectual; give an intellectual quality to 2 to examine or interpret rationally, often without proper regard for emotional considerations •vi. to reason; think in'tel·lec'tu·al·i·za´tion •n.

intelligence (in tel´э jэns) •n. 1 a) the ability to learn or understand from experience; ability to acquire and retain knowledge; mental ability b) the ability to respond quickly and successfully to a new situation; use of the faculty of reason in solving problems, directing conduct, etc. effectively c) Psychol. measured success in using these abilities to perform certain tasks d) generally, any degree of keenness of mind, cleverness, shrewdness, etc. 2 news or information 3 a) the gathering of secret information, as for military or police purposes b) the persons or agency employed at this 4 an intelligent spirit or being in·tel'li·gen´tial (-jen´shэl) •adj. [OFr < L intelligentia, perception, discernment < intelligens, prp. of intelligere: see INTELLECT]

intelligence quotient a number intended to indicate a person's level of intelligence: it is the mental age (as shown by intelligence tests) multiplied by 100 and divided by the chronological age

intelligence test a standardized series of problems intended to test the relative intelligence of an individual

intelligencer (in tel´э jэn sэr) •n. [Now Rare] a person who supplies news or information; esp., a spy or secret agent

intelligent (in tel´э jэnt) •adj. 1 having or using intelligence; rational 2 having or showing an alert mind or high intelligence; bright, perceptive, informed, clever, wise, etc. 3 designating a terminal capable of performing certain functions with the data, independently of the computer 4 [Archaic] aware (of something) in·tel´li·gent·ly •adv. SYN.—intelligent implies the ability to learn or understand from experience or to respond successfully to a new experience; clever implies quickness in learning or understanding, but sometimes connotes a lack of thoroughness or depth; alert emphasizes quickness in sizing up a situation; bright and smart are somewhat informal, less precise equivalents for any of the preceding; brilliant implies an unusually high degree of intelligence; intellectual suggests keen intelligence coupled with interest and ability in the more advanced fields of knowledge —ANT. stupid, dull [L intelligens, prp. of intelligere: see INTELLECT]

intelligentsia (in tel´э jent´si: э; esp. formerly, -gent´-) •n.pl. [also with sing. v.] the people regarded as, or regarding themselves as, the educated and enlightened class; intellectuals collectively [Russ intelligentsiya < L intelligentia: see INTELLIGENCE]

intelligible (in tel´i jэ bэl) •adj. 1 that can be understood; clear; comprehensible 2 understandable by the intellect only, not by the senses in·tel'li·gi·bil´i·ty •n. in·tel´li·gi·bly •adv. [ME < L intelligibilis < intelligere: see INTELLECT]

Intelsat (in´tel sæt') an international organization for developing and launching communications satellites [In(ternational) Tel(ecommunications) Sat(ellite Consortium)]

intemperance (in tem´pэr эns) •n. 1 a lack of temperance or restraint; immoderation 2 excessive drinking of alcoholic liquor

intemperate (in tem´pэr it) •adj. 1 not temperate; specif., a) not moderate; lacking restraint; excessive; going to extremes b) severe or violent; inclement {an intemperate wind} 2 drinking too much alcoholic liquor in·tem´per·ate·ly •adv. [L intemperatus]

intend (in tend´) •vt. 1 to have in mind as a purpose; plan 2 to mean (something) to be or be used (for); design; destine {a cake intended for the party} 3 to mean or signify 4 [Archaic] to direct or turn (the mind, eyes, thoughts, etc.) 5 Law to construe or interpret legally •vi. to have a purpose or intention in·tend´er •n. SYN.—intend implies a having in mind of something to be done, said, etc. [I intended to write you]; mean, a more general word, does not connote so clearly a specific, deliberate purpose [he always means well]; design suggests careful planning in order to bring about a particular result [their delay was designed to forestall suspicion]; propose implies a clear declaration, openly or to oneself, of one's intention [I propose to speak for an hour]; purpose adds to propose a connotation of strong determination to effect one's intention [he purposes to become a doctor] [ME entenden < OFr entendre < L intendere, to stretch out for, aim at < in-, in, at + tendere, to stretch: see THIN]

intendance (in ten´dэns) •n. 1 superintendence; supervision 2 any of various administrative offices, as in France [Fr < intendant: see INTENDANT]

intendancy (-dэn si:) pl. -cies •n. 1 the position or duties of an intendant 2 intendants collectively 3 the district supervised by an intendant: also in·tend´en·cy

intendant (in ten´dэnt) •n. a director, manager of a public business, superintendent, etc.: term applied to certain foreign officials, as to the supervisors of any of certain districts in Spanish America [Fr intendant or Sp intendente, both < L intendens, prp. of intendere: see INTEND]

intended (in ten´did) •adj. 1 meant; planned 2 prospective; future {one's intended wife} •n. [Colloq.] the person whom one has agreed to marry; fiancé(e)

intending (-diŋ) •adj. prospective; future

intendment (in tend´mэnt) •n. 1 [Archaic] intention, purpose, or design 2 the true and correct meaning or intention, as of law [ME entendement < OFr: see INTEND]

intenerate (in ten´эr eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. [Rare] to make tender or soft in·ten'er·a´tion •n. [IN-¹ + L tener, TENDER¹ + -ATE¹]

intens intensive

intense (in tens´) •adj. 1 occurring or existing in a high degree; very strong; violent, extreme, sharp, vivid, etc. {an intense light} 2 strained to the utmost; strenuous; earnest; fervent; zealous {intense thought} 3 having or showing strong emotion, firm purpose, great seriousness, etc. {an intense person} 4 characterized by much action, emotion, etc. in·tense´ly •adv. in·tense´ness •n. [ME < MFr < L intensus, pp. of intendere: see INTEND]

intensifier (in ten´sэ fai'эr) •n. 1 something that intensifies 2 Gram. an intensive word, prefix, etc. 3 Photog. any of several solutions used to increase the printing density of a negative

intensify (in ten´sэ fai') -fied', -fy'ing •vt. 1 to make intense or more intense; increase; strengthen 2 Photog. to make (a film, etc.) more dense or opaque by treating with an intensifier •vi. to become intense or increase in intensity in·ten'si·fi·ca´tion •n. SYN.—intensify implies an increasing in the degree of force, vehemence, vividness, etc. [his absence only intensified her longing]; aggravate implies a making more serious, unbearable, etc. and connotes something that is unpleasant or troublesome in itself [your insolence only aggravates the offense]; to heighten is to make greater, stronger, more vivid, etc. so as to raise above the ordinary or commonplace [music served to heighten the effect]; enhance implies the addition of something so as to make more attractive or desirable [she used cosmetics to enhance her beauty] —ANT. diminish, mitigate

intension (in ten´shэn) •n. 1 intentness; determination 2 intensification 3 the quality of being intense; intensity or degree of intensity 4 Logic the properties possessed by all the objects in a term's extension; connotation: cf. EXTENSION (sense 9) in·ten´sion·al •adj. [L intensio < intensus, pp. of intendere: see INTEND]

intensity (in ten´sэ ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the quality of being intense; specif., a) extreme degree of anything b) great energy or vehemence of emotion, thought, or activity 2 degree or extent; relative strength, magnitude, vigor, etc. 3 SATURATION (sense 2) 4 Physics the amount of force or energy of heat, light, sound, electric current, etc. per unit area, volume, charge, etc. [ML intensitas]

intensive (in ten´siv) •adj. 1 increasing or causing to increase in degree or amount 2 of or characterized by intensity; thorough, profound, and intense; concentrated or exhaustive 3 designating care of an especially attentive nature given to hospital patients immediately following surgery, a heart attack, etc. 4 Agric. designating a system of farming which aims at the increase of yield per acre by using increased labor, capital, etc.: see EXTENSIVE (sense 4) 5 Gram. giving force or emphasis; emphasizing {very in the very same man is an intensive adverb} •n. 1 anything that intensifies 2 an intensive word, prefix, etc. in·ten´sive·ly •adv. in·ten´sive·ness •n. [ML intensious < L intensus: see INTENSE & -IVE]

-intensive (in ten´siv) combining form intensively using, requiring large amounts of, or concentrating within itself large amounts of (a specified thing) {energy-intensive}

intent (for adj. in tent´; for n. in tent´, in´tent') •adj. 1 firmly directed or fixed; earnest; intense {an intent look} 2 a) having the mind or attention firmly directed or fixed; engrossed {intent on his studies} b) strongly resolved {intent on going} •n. [ME entente, intente < OFr entente & ML intentus, both < L intentus, a stretching out < intendere: see INTEND] 1 an act or instance of intending 2 something intended; specif., a) a purpose; object; aim b) meaning or import 3 Law one's mental attitude, including purpose, will, determination, etc., at the time of doing an act SYN. INTENTION to all intents and purposes in almost every respect; practically; virtually in·tent´ly •adv. in·tent´ness •n. [L intentus, pp. of intendere: see INTEND]

intention (in ten´shэn) •n. 1 the act or fact of intending; determination to do a specified thing or act in a specified manner 2 a) anything intended or planned; aim, end, or purpose b) [pl.] purpose in regard to marriage 3 [Rare] meaning or import 4 Philos. a concept formed when the mind is directed toward an object 5 Surgery the manner or process by which a wound heals: the three degrees (first, second, and third intention) are distinguished by the relative amounts and types of granulation that occur SYN.—intention is the general word implying a having something in mind as a plan or design, or referring to the plan had in mind; intent, a somewhat formal term now largely in legal usage, connotes more deliberation [assault with intent to kill]; purpose connotes greater resolution or determination in the plan [I have a purpose in writing you]; aim refers to a specific intention and connotes a directing of all efforts toward this [his aim is to become a doctor]; goal suggests laborious effort in striving to attain something [the presidency was the goal of his ambition]; end emphasizes the final result one hopes to achieve as distinct from the process of achieving it [does a desirable end ever justify the use of immoral means?]; object is used of an end that is the direct result of a need or desire [the object of the discussion was to arouse controversy]; objective refers to a specific end that is capable of being reached [her immediate objective is to pass the course] [ME entencioun < OFr entencion < L intentio < pp. of intendere]

intentional (in ten´shэ nэl) •adj. 1 having to do with intention or purpose 2 done purposely; intended SYN. VOLUNTARY in·ten´tion·al·ly •adv. [ML intentionalis]

intentioned (in ten´shэnd) •adj. having (specified) intentions: often in hyphenated compounds {well-intentioned}

inter (in tør´) -terred´, -ter´ring •vt. to put (a dead body) into a grave or tomb; bury [ME enteren < OFr enterrer < VL *interrare, to put in the earth < L in, in + terra, earth: see THRUST]

inter- (in´tэr) prefix 1 between or among: the second element of the compound is singular in form {interstate} 2 with or on each other (or one another), together, mutual, reciprocal, mutually, reciprocally {interact} [L < inter, between, among < IE *enter, *nter (compar. of base *en, in) > OFr entre-, Sans antár, within, OE under, Ger unter, among, Gr enteron, intestine]

inter alia (in'tэr ä´li: э) among other things [L]

inter alios (ä´li: ous') among other persons [L]

inter nos (in'tэr nous´) between (or among) ourselves [L]

inter se (in'tэr sei´, -si:´) between (or among) themselves [L]

inter vivos (in'tэr vai´vous') from one living person to another or others {inter vivos gifts, trusts, etc.} [L, among the living]

interact (in'tэr ækt´) •vi. to act on one another; act reciprocally

interactant (-æk´tэnt) •n. any of the elements involved in an interaction; specif., any of the substances involved in a chemical reaction

interaction (-æk´shэn) •n. action on each other; reciprocal action or effect in'ter·ac´tion·al •adj.

interactive (-æk´tiv) •adj. 1 acting on one another; reciprocally active 2 designating or of programming electronic equipment, as for TV, videodiscs, etc., which allows viewers to participate, as by making a response, influencing the pace of the action, etc. 3 of or involving a mode of operation in which there is a continual exchange of information between the computer and the user at a video screen

interagency (in'tэr ei´jэn si:) •adj. of or having to do with two or more governmental agencies

inter-American (in'tэr э mer´i kэn) •adj. between or among nations of the Americas

interbrain (in´tэr brein') •n. DIENCEPHALON

interbreed (in'tэr bri:d´, in´tэr bri:d') -bred´, -breed´ing •vt., vi. HYBRIDIZE

intercalary (in tør´kэ ler'i:) •adj. 1 added to the calendar: said of a day, month, etc. inserted in a calendar year to make it correspond to the solar year 2 having such a day, month, etc. added: said of a year 3 interpolated or inserted [L intercalarius, intercalaris < intercalare: see INTERCALATE]

intercalate (in tør´kэ leit') -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vt. 1 to insert (a day, month, etc.) in the calendar 2 to interpolate or insert in·ter'ca·la´tion •n. [< L intercalatus, pp. of intercalare, to insert < inter-, between + calare, to call, proclaim: for IE base see CLAMOR]

intercede (in'tэr si:d´) -ced´ed, -ced´ing •vi. 1 to plead or make a request in behalf of another or others {to intercede with the authorities for the prisoner} 2 to intervene for the purpose of producing agreement; mediate [L intercedere < inter-, between + cedere, to go: see CEDE]

intercellular (in'tэr sel´yu: lэr) •adj. located between or among cells

intercept (for v. in'tэr sept´; for n. in´tэr sept') •vt. 1 to seize or stop on the way, before arrival at the intended place; stop or interrupt the course of; cut off {to intercept a forward pass} 2 [Now Rare] a) to stop, hinder, or prevent b) to cut off communication with, sight of, etc. 3 Math. to cut off, mark off, or bound between two points, lines, or planes •n. 1 Math. the part of a line, plane, etc. intercepted 2 Mil. the act of intercepting an enemy force, esp. enemy aircraft in'ter·cep´tion •n. in'ter·cep´tive •adj. [< L interceptus, pp. of intercipere, to take between, interrupt < inter-, between + capere, to take: see HAVE]

interceptor (in'tэr sep´tэr) •n. a person or thing that intercepts; esp., a fast-climbing fighter jet or a surface-to-air missile Also in'ter·cept´er

intercession (in'tэr sesh´эn) •n. the act of interceding; mediation, pleading, or prayer in behalf of another or others in'ter·ces´sion·al •adj. [L intercessio < intercessus, pp. of intercedere]

intercessor (in'tэr ses´эr, in´tэr ses'эr) •n. a person who intercedes in'ter·ces´so·ry •adj. [ME intercessour < L intercessor]

interchange (for v. in'tэr cheinj´; for n. in´tэr cheinj') -changed´, -chang´ing •vt. 1 to give and take mutually; exchange {to interchange ideas} 2 to put (each of two things) in the other's place 3 to alternate; cause to follow in succession {to interchange work with play} •vi. to change places with each other •n. 1 the act or an instance of interchanging 2 a junction which allows movement of traffic between highways on different levels, as a cloverleaf [ME entrechangen < OFr entrechangier: see INTER- & CHANGE]

interchangeable (in'tэr chein´jэ bэl) •adj. that can be interchanged; esp., that can be put or used in place of each other in'ter·change'a·bil´i·ty •n. in'ter·change´a·bly •adv. [OFr entrechangeable]

intercity (in'tэr si´ti:) •adj. between cities {intercity trains}

interclavicle (in'tэr klæv´i kэl) •n. a bone lying between the tips of the clavicles and on the sternum in certain vertebrates in'ter·cla·vic´u·lar (-klэ vik´yu: lэr) •adj.

intercollegiate (in'tэr kэ li:´jit) •adj. between or among colleges and universities

intercolumniation (-kэ lûm'nэ ei´shэn) •n. 1 the space between two columns, measured from their axes 2 the system of spacing a series of columns

intercom (in´tэr käm') •n. a radio or television intercommunication system, as between compartments of an airplane or ship, rooms of a building, etc.

intercommunicate (in'tэr kэ myu:´ni keit') -cat'ed, -cat'ing •vt., vi. to communicate with or to each other or one another in'ter·com·mu'ni·ca´tion •n.

intercommunion (-kэ myu:n´yэn) •n. mutual communion, as among religious groups

interconnect (in'tэr kэ nekt´) •vt., vi. to connect or be connected with one another in'ter·con·nec´tion •n.

intercontinental (in'tэr kän'tэ nent´ªl, -känt'ªn ent´ªl) •adj. 1 between or among continents 2 able to travel from one continent to another, as a plane, rocket-launched missile, etc.

intercostal (in'tэr käs´tэl, -kös´-) •adj. between the ribs •n. an intercostal muscle, etc. in'ter·cos´tal·ly •adv.

intercourse (in´tэr körs') •n. 1 communication or dealings between or among people, countries, etc.; interchange of products, services, ideas, feelings, etc. 2 the sexual joining of two individuals; coitus; copulation: in full, sexual intercourse [ME entercours < OFr entrecours < L intercursus: see INTER- & COURSE]

intercrop (for v. in'tэr kräp´, in´tэr kräp'; for n. in´tэr kräp') -cropped´, -crop´ping •vt., vi. to grow a crop with (another crop) in the same field, as in alternate rows •n. any such crop

intercross (for v. in'tэr krös´, in´tэr krös'; for n. in´tэr krös') •vt., vi. 1 [Now Rare] to cross (one another) 2 HYBRIDIZE •n. HYBRID (sense 1)

intercultural (in'tэr kûl´chэr эl) •adj. between or among people of different cultures

intercurrent (-kør´эnt) •adj. 1 running between; intervening 2 occurring during another disease and modifying it in'ter·cur´rent·ly •adv. [L intercurrens, prp. of intercurrere: see INTER- & CURRENT]

intercut (in'tэr kût´) -cut, -cut·ting •vt., vi. Film, TV to interrupt (a scene, sequence, etc.) by inserting (a shot, sequence, etc.), sometimes repeatedly

interdenominational (in'tэr di: näm'э nei´shэn эl, -di-) •adj. between, among, shared by, or involving different religious denominations

interdental (in'tэr dent´ªl) •adj. 1 situated between the teeth 2 Phonet. articulated with the tip of the tongue between the upper and lower teeth, as (θ) and (ð) •n. an interdental consonant

interdepartmental (-di:'pärt ment´ªl) •adj. between or among departments in'ter·de'part'men´tal·ly •adv.

interdependence (in'tэr di: pen´dэns, -di-) •n. dependence on each other or one another; mutual dependence Also in'ter·de·pend´en·cy in'ter·de·pend´ent •adj. in'ter·de·pend´ent·ly •adv.

interdict (for v. in'tэr dikt´; for n. in´tэr dikt') •vt. 1 to prohibit (an action) or prohibit the use of (a thing); forbid with authority 2 to restrain from doing or using something 3 to impede or hinder (the enemy) or isolate (an area, route, etc.) by firepower or bombing 4 R.C.Ch. to exclude (a person, parish, etc.) from certain acts, sacraments, or privileges •n. [altered (infl. by L) < ME entredit < OFr < L interdictum < pp. of interdicere, to forbid, prohibit, lit., to speak between < inter- (see INTER-) + dicere, to speak (see DICTION)] 1 an official prohibition or restraint 2 R.C.Ch. an interdicting of a person, parish, etc. SYN. FORBID in'ter·dic´tion •n. in'ter·dic´tor •n. in'ter·dic´to·ry or in'ter·dic´tive •adj. [altered (infl. by L interdictus) < ME entrediten < n. entredit: see n. below]

interdigitate (in'tэr dij´i teit') -tat'ed, -tat'ing •vi. to interlock like the fingers of folded hands

interdisciplinary (-dis´э pli ner'i:) •adj. involving, or joining, two or more disciplines, or branches of learning {an interdisciplinary approach to cultural history}

interest (in´trist, -trэst, -tэr ist; also, esp. for v., -tэr est', -trest') •n. 1 a right or claim to something 2 a) a share or participation in something b) a business, etc. in which one participates or has a share 3 [often pl.] advantage; welfare; benefit 4 [usually pl.] a group of people having a common concern or dominant power in some industry, occupation, cause, etc. {the steel interests} 5 personal influence 6 a) a feeling of intentness, concern, or curiosity about something {an interest in politics} b) the power of causing this feeling {books of interest to children} c) something causing this feeling {the academic interests of a scholar} 7 importance; consequence {a matter of little interest} 8 a) money paid for the use of money b) the rate of such payment, expressed as a percentage per unit of time 9 an increase over what is owed {to repay kindness with interest} •vt. [prob. < ME interessed < interesse + -ed] 1 to involve the interest, or concern, of; have an effect upon 2 to cause to have an interest or take part in {can I interest you in a game of golf?} 3 to excite the attention or curiosity of in the interest (or interests) of for the sake of [ME interesse < ML usury, compensation (in L, to be between, be different, interest < inter-, between + esse, to be: see IS): altered, infl. by OFr interest < L, it interests, concerns, 3d pers. sing., pres. indic., of interesse]

interested (-id) •adj. 1 having an interest or share; concerned 2 influenced by personal interest; biased or prejudiced 3 feeling or showing interest, or curiosity in´ter·est·ed·ly •adv. in´ter·est·ed·ness •n.

interesting (-iŋ) •adj. exciting curiosity or attention; of interest in´ter·est·ing·ly •adv.

interface (in´tэr feis') •n. 1 a plane forming the common boundary between two parts of matter or space 2 a point or means of interaction between two systems, disciplines, groups, etc. •vt., vi. -faced', -fac'ing 1 to sew material (interfacing) between the outer fabric and the facing of (a collar, lapel, etc.) so as to give body or prevent stretching 2 to interact with (another system, discipline, group, etc.)

interfacial (in'tэr fei´shэl) •adj. 1 of or having to do with an interface 2 designating the angle between any two faces of a crystal or a crystal form

interfaith (in´tэr feiθ') •adj. between or involving persons adhering to different religions

interfere (in'tэr fir´) -fered´, -fer´ing •vt. 1 to knock one foot or leg against the other: said of a horse 2 to come into collision or opposition; clash; conflict 3 a) to come in or between for some purpose; intervene b) to meddle 4 Sports to be guilty of interference 5 Patent Law to claim priority for an invention, as when two or more applications for its patent are pending 6 Physics to affect each other by interference: said of two waves or streams of vibration 7 Radio, TV to create interference in reception interfere with to hinder in'ter·fer´er •n. [OFr (s')entreferir, to strike (each other) < entre-, INTER- + férir < L ferire, to strike < IE base *bher- > BORE¹]

interference (in'tэr fir´эns) •n. 1 an act or instance of interfering 2 something that interferes Æ 3 a) Football the legal blocking of opposing players in order to clear the way for the ball carrier; also, the player or players who do such blocking b) Sports the illegal hindering of an opposing player in any of various ways, as when receiving a pass in football 4 Physics the mutual action of two waves of the same frequency, as of sound, light, etc., in reinforcing or neutralizing each other according to their relative phases on meeting 5 Radio, TV a) static, unwanted signals, etc., producing a distortion of sounds or images and preventing good reception b) such distorted reception Æ run interference (for) Football to accompany (the ball carrier) in order to block opposing players in'ter·fe·ren´tial (-fэ ren´shэl) •adj.

interferometer (in'tэr fir äm´эt эr) •n. an instrument for measuring wavelengths of light and very small distances and thicknesses, for determining indices of refraction, and for analyzing small parts of a spectrum by means of the interference phenomena of light in'ter·fer'o·met´ric (-fir'э me´trik) •adj. in'ter·fer·om´e·try •n. [< INTERFERE + -METER]

interferon (in'tэr fir´än') •n. a cellular protein produced in response to infection by a virus and acting to inhibit viral growth [INTERFER(E) + -on, arbitrary suffix]

interfertile (in'tэr ført´ªl) •adj. able to interbreed, or hybridize in'ter·fer·til´i·ty (-fэr til´э ti:) •n.

interfile (in'tэr fail´) •vt. to place (papers, etc.) in order in a file, or organized set, esp., to combine two or more such organized sets

interfold (in'tэr fould´, in´tэr fould') •vt., vi. to fold together or inside one another

interfuse (-fyu:z´) -fused´, -fus´ing •vt. 1 to combine by mixing, blending, or fusing together 2 to cause to pass into or through a substance; infuse 3 to spread itself through; pervade •vi. to fuse; blend in'ter·fu´sion •n. [< L interfusus, pp. of interfundere, to pour between: see INTER- & FOUND³]

intergalactic (in'tэr gэ læk´tik) •adj. existing or occurring between or among galaxies

intergenerational (-jen'э rei´shэnªl) •adj. of or involving persons of different generations, as parents and children

interglacial (-glei´shэl) •adj. formed or occurring between two glacial epochs

intergovernmental (-gûv'эrn men´tªl) •adj. 1 of, between, or involving different levels of government, as the federal level and the state level 2 of, between, or involving the governments of different nations {Interpol is an intergovernmental organization}

intergrade (for v. in'tэr greid´; for n. in´tэr greid') -grad´ed, -grad´ing •vi. to pass into another form or kind by a series of intermediate grades •n. an intermediate grade; transitional form in'ter·gra·da´tion (-grei dei´shэn, -grэ-) •n.

intergroup (in´tэr gru:p´) •adj. between, among, or involving different social, ethnic, or racial groups

interim (in´tэr im) •n. the period of time between; meantime •adj. for or during an interim; temporary; provisional {an interim council} [L, meanwhile < inter: see INTER-]

interior (in tir´i: эr) •adj. 1 situated within; on the inside; inner 2 away from the coast, border, or frontier; inland 3 of the internal, or domestic, affairs of a country 4 of the inner nature of a person or thing; private, secret, etc. •n. 1 the interior part of anything; specif., a) the inside of a room or building b) the inland part of a country or region c) the inner nature of a person or thing 2 a picture, view, etc. of the inside of a room or building 3 the internal, or domestic, affairs of a country {the U.S. Department of the Interior} in·te·ri·or·i·ty (in tir'i: ör´э ti:) •n. in·te´ri·or·ly •adv. [ME < MFr < L, compar. of inter, between: see INTER-]

interior angle 1 any of the four angles formed on the inside of two straight lines when crossed by a transversal: see ALTERNATE ANGLES, illus. 2 the angle formed inside a polygon by two adjacent sides

interior decoration the act, art, or business of decorating and furnishing the interiors of houses, rooms, offices, etc. interior decorator

interior design the act, art, or business of planning and carrying out the design for the interiors of houses, rooms, offices, etc., sometimes including interior decoration interior designer

interior monologue a narrative technique or passage which suggests a character's stream of consciousness

interiorize (in tir´i: эr aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to make (a concept, value, etc.) part of one's inner nature in·te'ri·or·i·za´tion •n.

interj interjection

interject (in'tэr jekt´) •vt. to throw in between; interrupt with; insert; interpose {to interject a question} in'ter·jec´tor •n. [< L interjectus, pp. of interjicere, to throw between < inter-, between + jacere, to throw: see JET¹]

interjection (in'tэr jek´shэn) •n. 1 the act of interjecting 2 something interjected, as a word or phrase 3 Gram. a) an exclamation inserted into an utterance without grammatical connection to it (Ex.: ah! I declare!) b) any of a class of words used in this way (Ex.: ouch! well!) [ME interjeccioun < MFr interjection < L interjectio]

interjectional (-jek´shэ nэl) •adj. 1 of, or having the nature of, an interjection 2 interjected 3 containing an interjection Also in'ter·jec´to·ry in'ter·jec´tion·al·ly •adv.

interknit (in'tэr nit´) -knit´ted or -knit´, -knit´ting •vt., vi. to knit together; intertwine

interlace (-leis´) -laced´, -lac´ing •vt., vi. 1 to unite by passing over and under each other; weave together 2 to connect intricately in'ter·lace´ment •n. [ME entrelacen < OFr entrelacier: see INTER- & LACE]

Interlaken (in´tэr lä'kэn) resort town in the Bernese Alps, central Switzerland, on the Aar River: pop. 13,000

interlaminate (in'tэr læm´э neit') -nat'ed, -nat'ing •vt. 1 to put between laminae 2 to place in alternate laminae in'ter·lam'i·na´tion •n.

interlard (-lärd´) •vt. 1 orig., to insert strips or pieces of fat, bacon, etc. in (meat to be cooked) 2 to intersperse; diversify {to interlard a lecture with quotations} 3 a) to mix together b) to be intermixed in (said of things) [MFr entrelarder: see INTER- & LARD]

interlay (in'tэr lei´) -laid´ (-leid´), -lay´ing to lay or put between or among •vt. in´ter·lay'er •n.

interleaf (in´tэr li:f') pl. -leaves' (-li:vz') •n. a leaf, usually blank, bound between the other leaves of a book, for notes, etc.

interleave (in'tэr li:v´) -leaved´, -leav´ing •vt. to put an interleaf or interleaves in

interleukin (in'tэr lu:´kin) •n. 1 any of a closely related family of polypeptides, derived from many cell types, that stimulate several components of the inflammatory response, including fever; lymphocyte activating factor: in full interleukin-1 2 a glycoprotein lymphocyte product that stimulates the growth of T cells and is used experimentally in cancer therapy; T cell growth factor: in full interleukin-2

interline¹ (in'tэr lain´, in´tэr lain') -lined´, -lin´ing •vt. 1 to write or print between the lines of (a text, document, etc.) 2 to insert between the lines {to interline notes on pages} Also in'ter·lin´e·ate' (-lin´i: eit'), -ated, -at·ing •adj. of, relating to, or using more than one transportation line or system in'ter·lin'e·a´tion •n. [ME enterlynen < ML interlineare: see INTER- & LINE²]

interline² (in'tэr lain´, in´tэr lain') -lined´, -lin´ing •vt. to put an inner lining between the outer material and the ordinary lining of (a garment) [INTER- + LINE²]

interlinear (in'tэr lin´i: эr) •adj. 1 written or printed between the lines {interlinear notes} Æ 2 having the same text in different languages printed in alternate lines {an interlinear Bible} Also in'ter·lin´e·al [ME interlineare < ML interlinearis]

Interlingua (in'tэr liŋ´gwэ) •n. an invented language based largely on languages derived from Latin and proposed for use as an international auxiliary language, esp. in the scientific community [It, coined (c. 1908) by Giuseppe Peano (1858-1932), It mathematician < L inter-, INTER- + lingua, LANGUAGE]

interlining (in´tэr lai´niŋ) •n. 1 an inner lining put between the outer material and the ordinary lining of a garment 2 any fabric used to make such an inner lining

interlink (in´tэr liŋk´) •vt. to link together

interlock (for v. in'tэr läk´, in´tэr läk'; for n. in´tэr läk') •vt., vi. 1 to lock together; join with one another 2 to connect or be connected so that neither part can be operated independently •n. 1 the condition of being interlocked 2 a device or arrangement by means of which the functioning of one part is controlled by the functioning of another, as for safety

interlocking directorates boards of directors having some members in common, so that the corporations concerned are more or less under the same control

interlocution (in'tэr lou kyu:´shэn) •n. talk between two or more people; interchange of speech; conversation; dialogue [L interlocutio < pp. of interloqui, to speak between < inter-, INTER- + loqui, to speak]

interlocutor (in'tэr läk´yu: tэr, -yэ-; for 2 often, -läk´эt эr) •n. 1 a person taking part in a conversation or dialogue Æ 2 an entertainer in a minstrel show who serves as master of ceremonies and as a foil for the end men [< pp. of L interloqui: see INTERLOCUTION]

interlocutory (in'tэr läk´yu: tör'i:, -yэ-) •adj. 1 of, having the nature of, or occurring in dialogue; conversational 2 interjected {interlocutory wit} 3 Law pronounced during the course of a suit, pending final decision; not final {an interlocutory divorce decree} [ML(Ec) interlocutorius: see INTERLOCUTION]

interlope (in'tэr loup´) -loped´, -lop´ing •vi. 1 orig., to intrude on another's trading rights or privileges 2 to intrude or meddle in others' affairs SYN. INTRUDE [prob. back-form. < fol.]

interloper (in´tэr lou'pэr) •n. 1 [Archaic] a) an unauthorized trading vessel in areas assigned to monopolies or chartered companies b) any unauthorized trader 2 a person who meddles in others' affairs [INTER- + -loper < landloper, a vagrant < Du < land, LAND + loper, a runner < lopen, to run: see LEAP]

interlude (in´tэr lu:d') •n. 1 a short, humorous play formerly presented between the parts of a miracle play or morality play 2 a short play of a sort popular in the Tudor period, either farcical or moralistic in tone and with a plot typically derived from French farce or the morality play 3 any performance between the acts of a play 4 instrumental music played between the parts of a song, liturgy, play, etc. 5 a) anything that fills time between two events b) intervening time or, rarely, space [ME enterlude < OFr entrelude < ML interludium < L inter, between + ludus, play: see LUDICROUS]

interlunar (in'tэr lu:´nэr) •adj. of the period of time each month when the moon cannot be seen because it is in or near conjunction with the sun [prob. < MFr interlunaire: see INTER- & LUNAR]

intermarriage (in'tэr mær´ij) •n. 1 marriage between persons of different clans, tribes, races, religions, castes, etc. 2 marriage between closely related persons

intermarry (in'tэr mær´i:) -ried, -ry·ing •vi. 1 to become connected by or unite in marriage: said of persons of different clans, tribes, races, religions, castes, etc. 2 to marry: said of closely related persons

intermeddle (in'tэr med´ªl) -dled, -dling •vi. to meddle in the affairs of others, esp. to do so officiously in'ter·med´dler •n. [ME entremedlen < Anglo-Fr entremedler: see INTER- & MEDDLE]

intermediary (in'tэr mi:´di: er'i:, -di: эr i:) •adj. 1 acting between two persons; acting as mediator 2 being or happening between; intermediate •n. pl. -ar'ies 1 a go-between; mediator 2 any medium, means, or agency 3 an intermediate form, phase, etc. [Fr intermédiaire < L intermedius: see INTERMEDIATE + -ARY]

intermediate (for adj.& n. in'tэr mi:´di: it; for v., -di: eit') •adj. 1 being or happening between two things, places, stages, etc.; in the middle 2 designating or of an automobile larger than a compact but smaller than the standard size •n. 1 anything intermediate 2 INTERMEDIARY 3 an intermediate automobile 4 Chem. a substance obtained as a necessary intermediate stage between the original material and the final product •vi. -at'ed, -at'ing to mediate in'ter·me´di·ate·ly •adv. in'ter·me´di·ate·ness or in'ter·me´di·a·cy (-э si:) •n. in'ter·me'di·a´tion •n. in'ter·me´di·a'tor •n. [ML intermediatus < L intermedius < inter-, between + medius, middle: see MID¹]

intermediate frequency Radio in superheterodyne reception, a frequency resulting from combining the incoming signal with a locally produced signal for amplification prior to detection

intermediate host the organism on or in which a parasite lives during an immature stage

intermedin (in'tэr mi:´din, -mi:d´ªn) •n. a hormone produced by the intermediate lobe of the pituitary gland in certain vertebrates that influences the activity of pigment cells [< L (pars) intermedia, intermediate (lobe) + -IN¹]

interment (in tør´mэnt) •n. the act of interring; burial

intermezzo (in'tэr met´sou', -med´zou') pl. -zos' or -zi' (-si:', -zi:') •n. 1 a short, light dramatic, musical, or ballet entertainment between the acts of a play or opera 2 Music a) a short movement connecting the main parts of a composition b) any of certain short instrumental pieces similar to this [It < L intermedius: see INTERMEDIATE]

interminable (in tør´mi nэ bэl) •adj. without, or apparently without, end; lasting, or seeming to last, forever; endless in·ter´mi·na·bly •adv. [OFr < LL interminabilis: see IN-² & TERMINABLE]

intermingle (in'tэr miŋ´gэl) -gled, -gling •vt., vi. to mix together; mingle; blend

intermission (in'tэr mish´эn) •n. 1 an intermitting or being intermitted; interruption 2 an interval of time between periods of activity; pause, as between acts of a play in'ter·mis´sive (-mis´iv) •adj. [L intermissio < intermissus, pp. of intermittere]

intermit (in'tэr mit´) -mit´ted, -mit´ting •vt., vi. to stop for a time; cease at intervals; make or be intermittent; discontinue in'ter·mit´ter •n. [L intermittere < inter- + mittere: see INTER- & MISSION]

intermittent (in'tэr mit´ªnt) •adj. stopping and starting at intervals; pausing from time to time; periodic in'ter·mit´tence •n. in'ter·mit´tent·ly •adv. SYN.—intermittent and recurrent both apply to something that stops and starts, or disappears and reappears, from time to time, but the former usually stresses the breaks or pauses, and the latter, the repetition or return [an intermittent fever, recurrent attacks of the hives]; periodic refers to something that recurs at more or less regular intervals [periodic economic crises]; alternate is usually used of two recurrent things that follow each other in regular order [a life of alternate sorrow and joy] —ANT. continued, continuous [L intermittens, prp. of intermittere: see INTERMIT]

intermittent current an electric current interrupted at intervals but always flowing in the same direction

intermittent fever a fever characterized by periodic intervals when the body temperature returns to normal

intermix (in'tэr miks´) •vt., vi. to mix together; blend

intermixture (-miks´chэr) •n. 1 an intermixing or being intermixed 2 a mixture 3 an added ingredient; admixture

intermolecular (in'tэr mou lek´yu: lэr, -mэ-) •adj. having activity between or among molecules: see INTRAMOLECULAR

intermontane (in'tэr män´tein', -män tein´) •adj. between or among mountains [< INTER + L montanus, of a mountain < mons (gen. montis), MOUNTAIN]

intern (for n.& vi. in´tørn'; for vt. in tørn´, in´tørn') Æ n. 1 a doctor serving an apprenticeship as an assistant resident in a hospital generally just after graduation from medical school: cf. EXTERN 2 an apprentice teacher, journalist, etc. Æ vi. to serve as an intern •vt. to detain or confine (foreign persons, ships, etc.), as during a war [Fr interne, resident within < L internus, inward: see INTERNAL]

internal (in tør´nэl, -tørn´ªl) •adj. 1 of or having to do with the inside; inner 2 to be taken inside the body {internal remedies} 3 having to do with the inner nature of a thing; intrinsic {internal evidence} 4 having to do with the inner being; subjective 5 having to do with the domestic affairs of a country {internal revenue} 6 a) Anat. situated toward the inside of the body or closer to its center b) existing or occurring inside the body or a body part •n. 1 [pl.] innards; entrails 2 an intrinsic quality or attribute in'ter·nal´i·ty (-næl´э ti:) •n. in·ter´nal·ly •adv. [ML internalis < L internus, inward, internal, akin to inter: see INTER-]

internal ear INNER EAR

internal exile the condition or a period of enforced removal from one's home or community to another place, usually remote, within the same country

internal medicine the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of diseases

internal respiration 1 the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood or lymph and the body cells 2 the metabolic consumption of oxygen and the production of carbon dioxide in the protoplasm of cells

internal revenue governmental income from taxes on income, profits, amusements, luxuries, etc.

internal rhyme rhyming of words, within a poem, of which at least one word does not fall at the end of a line

internal secretion a substance secreted directly into the blood, as by an endocrine gland; hormone

internal-combustion engine (-kэm bûs´chэn) an engine, as in an airplane, automobile, etc., that obtains its power from heat and pressure produced by the combustion of a fuel-and-air mixture inside a closed chamber or cylinder

internalize (in tør´nэl aiz', -tørn´ªl-) -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to make internal; interiorize; specif., to make (others', esp. the prevailing, attitudes, ideas, norms, etc.) a part of one's own patterns of thinking in·ter'nal·i·za´tion •n.

internat international

international (in'tэr næsh´э nэl; for n. 2 also, -næsh'э næl´, -näl´) •adj. 1 between or among nations {an international treaty} 2 concerned with the relations between nations {an international court} 3 for the use of all nations {international waters} 4 of, for, or by people in various nations •n. 1 a person associated with two different countries, as a resident alien, etc. 2 a) an international group b) [I-] any of several international socialist organizations existing variously from 1864 on in'ter·na'tion·al´i·ty •n. in'ter·na´tion·al·ly •adv.

international candle CANDLE (n. 3b)