in ['in, ən, ᵊn] -prep
- used as a function word to indicate inclusion, location, or position within limits
- into
- used as a function word to indicate means, medium, or instrumentality
- used as a function word to indicate limitation, qualification, or circumstance
- into
- used as a function word to indicate purpose
- used as a function word to indicate the larger member of a ratio
- to or toward the inside esp. of a house or other building
- to or toward some destination or particular place
- flew in on the first plane
- at close quarters : near
- so as to incorporate often used in combination
- to or at an appropriate place
- within a particular place
- within the customary place of residence or business
- in the position of participant, insider, or officeholder often used with on
- on good terms
- in a specified relation
- in a position of assured or definitive success
- in vogue or season
- in production
- in one's presence, possession, or control
- from a condition of indistinguishability to one of clarity
- that is located inside or within
- that is in position, operation, or power
- inside
- that is directed or bound inward : incoming
- extremely fashionable
- keenly aware of and responsive to what is new and fashionable
- one who is in office or power or on the inside
- a matter of in s versus outs
- influence, pull
- enjoyed some sort of in with the commandant -- Henriette Roosenburg
- inch
- inlet
In -symbol
- indium
IN -abbr
- Indiana
in- -prefix
- not : non-, un- usu. il- before l , im- before b, m, or p , ir- before r , and in- before other sounds
- in : within : into : toward : on usu. il- before l , im- before b, m, or p , ir- before r , and in- before other sounds
- en-
in·abil·i·ty [,i-nə-'bi-lə-tē] -n
- lack of sufficient power, resources, or capacity
in ab·sen·tia [,in-ab-'sen(t)-sh(ē-)ə] -adv
- in absence
- gave him the award in absentia
in·ac·ces·si·ble [,i-nik-'se-sə-bəl, (,)i-,nak-] -adj, n, adv
- not accessible
in·ac·cu·ra·cy [(,)i-'na-kyə-rə-sē, -k(ə-)rə-sē] -n
- the quality or state of being inaccurate
- mistake, error
in·ac·cu·rate [-'a-kyə-rət, -k(ə-)rət] -adj, adv
- not accurate : faulty
in·ac·tion [(,)i-'nak-shən] -n
- lack of action or activity : idleness
in·ac·ti·vate [(,)i-'nak-tə-,vāt] -vt, n
- to make inactive
- chemicals to inactivate viruses
in·ac·tive [(,)i-'nak-tiv] -adj, adv, n
- : not active: as
- sedentary
- indolent, sluggish
- being out of use
- relating to or being members of the armed forces who are not performing or available for military duties
- quiescent
- chemically inert
- optically neutral in polarized light
- biologically inert esp. because of the loss of some quality (as infectivity or antigenicity)
in·ad·e·qua·cy [(,)i-'na-di-kwə-sē] -n
- the quality or state of being inadequate
- insufficiency, deficiency
in·ad·e·quate [-kwət] -adj, adv, n
- not adequate : insufficient
- not capable
- was inadequate as a leader
in·ad·mis·si·ble [,i-nəd-'mi-sə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- not admissible
in·ad·ver·tence [,i-nəd-'vər-tᵊn(t)s] -n
- the fact or action of being inadvertent
- a result of inattention : oversight
in·ad·ver·ten·cy [-tᵊn(t)-sē] -n
- inadvertence
in·ad·ver·tent [-tᵊnt] -adj, adv
- not focusing the mind on a matter : inattentive
- unintentional
in·ad·vis·able [,i-nəd-'vī-zə-bəl] -adj, n
- not advisable : not wise or prudent
in·alien·able [(,)i-'nāl-yə-nə-bəl, -'nā-lē-ə-nə-] -adj, n, adv
- incapable of being alienated, surrendered, or transferred
in·al·ter·able [(,)i-'nȯl-t(ə-)rə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- not alterable : unalterable
in·amo·ra·ta [i-,na-mə-'rä-tə] -n
- a woman with whom one is in love or has intimate relations
inandin [,in-ən(d)-'in] -adv or adj
- in repeated generations of the same or closely related stock
- families...of one blood through mating or marrying inandin -- F. H. Giddings
inane [i-'nān] -adj, adv, n
- empty, insubstantial
- lacking significance, meaning, or point : silly
- void or empty space
- a voyage into the limitless inane -- V. G. Childe
in·an·i·mate [(,)i-'na-nə-mət] -adj, adv, n
- : not animate:
- not endowed with life or spirit
- lacking consciousness or power of motion
- not animated or lively : dull
in·a·ni·tion [,i-nə-'ni-shən] -n
- : the quality or state of being empty:
- the exhausted condition that results from lack of food and water
- the absence or loss of social, moral, or intellectual vitality or vigor
inan·i·ty [i-'na-nə-tē] -n
- : the quality or state of being inane: as
- lack of substance : emptiness
- vapid, pointless, or fatuous character : shallowness
- something that is inane
in·ap·par·ent [,i-nə-'per-ənt] -adj, adv
- not apparent
in·ap·peas·able [,i-nə-'pē-zə-bəl] -adj
- unappeasable
in·ap·pe·tence [(,)i-'na-pə-tən(t)s] -n
- loss or lack of appetite
in·ap·pli·ca·ble [(,)i-'na-pli-kə-bəl also ,i-nə-'pli-kə-] -adj, n, adv
- not applicable : irrelevant
in·ap·po·site [(,)i-'na-pə-zət] -adj, adv, n
- not apposite : not apt or pertinent
in·ap·pre·cia·ble [,i-nə-'prē-shə-bəl, -'pri-sh(ē-)ə-bəl] -adj, adv
- too small to be perceived
in·ap·pre·cia·tive [,i-nə-'prē-shə-tiv, -'pri- also -'prē-shē-,ā-] -adj, adv, n
- not appreciative
- inappreciative of their workers
in·ap·proach·able [,i-nə-'prō-chə-bəl] -adj
- not approachable : inaccessible
- her boss came across as inapproachable
in·ap·pro·pri·ate [,i-nə-'prō-prē-ət] -adj, adv, n
- not appropriate : unsuitable
in·apt [(,)i-'napt] -adj, adv, n
- : not apt:
- not suitable
- inept
in·ap·ti·tude [(,)i-'nap-tə-,tüd, -,tyüd] -n
- lack of aptitude
in·ar·gu·able [(,)i-'när-gyə-wə-bəl] -adj
- not arguable : not open to doubt or debate
- her impact was substantial and inarguable
in·ar·gu·ably [-blē] -adv
- it cannot be argued : unquestionably
- inarguably, December is the best month for retailers
in·ar·tic·u·la·cy [,i-(,)när-'ti-kyə-lə-sē] -n
- the quality or state of being inarticulate
in·ar·tic·u·late [-kyə-lət] -adj, adv, n
- uttered or formed without the definite articulations of intelligible speech
- incapable of speech esp. under stress of emotion : mute
- incapable of being expressed by speech
- not voiced or expressed : unspoken
- society functions on many inarticulate premises
- incapable of giving coherent, clear, or effective expression to one's ideas or feelings
- relating to, characteristic of, or being an inarticulate or its shell
inarticulate -n
- any of a class (Inarticulata) of brachiopods lacking a hinge connecting the two shell valves
in·ar·tis·tic [,i-när-'tis-tik] -adj, adv
- not conforming to the principles of art
- not appreciative of art
in·as·much as [,i-nəz-'mə-chəz, -'məch-,az] -conj
- in the degree that : insofar as
- in view of the fact that : since
in·at·ten·tion [,i-nə-'ten(t)-shən] -n
- failure to pay attention
in·at·ten·tive [-'ten-tiv] -adj, adv, n
- not attentive : not paying attention
in·au·di·ble [(,)i-'nȯ-də-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- not audible
in·au·gu·ral [i-'nȯ-gyə-rəl, -g(ə-)rəl] -adj
- of or relating to an inauguration
- marking a beginning : first in a projected series
inaugural -n
- an inaugural address
- inauguration
in·au·gu·rate [i-'nȯ-gyə-,rāt, -gə-,rāt] -vt, n
- to induct into an office with suitable ceremonies
- to dedicate ceremoniously : observe formally the beginning of
- to bring about the beginning of
in·au·gu·ra·tion [-,nȯ-gyə-'rā-shən, -gə-] -n
- an act of inaugurating
- a ceremonial induction into office
Inauguration Day -n
- January 20 following a presidential election on which the president of the U.S. is inaugurated
in·aus·pi·cious [,i-,nȯ-'spi-shəs] -adj, adv, n
- not auspicious
in·au·then·tic [,i-,nȯ-'then-tik] -adj, n
- not authentic
inbe·tween [,in-bi-'twēn] -adj or n
- intermediate
in between -adv or prep
- between
in·board ['in-,bȯrd] -adv
- inside the line of a ship's bulwarks or hull
- toward the center line of a vehicle or craft (as a ship or aircraft)
inboard -adj
- located inboard
- having an inboard engine
- a boat with an inboard motor
in·born ['in-'bȯrn] -adj
- present from or as if from birth
- hereditary, inherited
in·bound ['in-,bau̇nd] -adj
- inward bound
in·bounds ['in-'bau̇n(d)z] -adj
- involving putting a basketball in play by passing it onto the court from out of bounds
inbounds line -n
- either of two broken lines running the length of a football field at right angles to the yard lines
inbox ['in-,bäks] -n
- a box or tray (as on a desk) for holding incoming interoffice mail
- a computer folder devoted to incoming e-mail
in·breathe ['in-,brēth] -vt
- to breathe (something) in : inhale
in·bred ['in-'bred] -adj, n
- rooted and ingrained in one's nature as deeply as if implanted by heredity
- an inbred love of freedom
- subjected to or produced by inbreeding
in·breed ['in-'brēd] -vb
- to subject to inbreeding
- to engage in inbreeding
inbreeding -n
- the interbreeding of closely related individuals esp. to preserve and fix desirable characters of and to eliminate unfavorable characters from a stock
- confinement to a narrow range or a local or limited field of choice
in·built ['in-'bilt] -adj
- built-in
inc -abbr
- incomplete
- incorporated
- increase
In·ca ['iŋ-kə] -n, adj
- a member of the Quechuan peoples of Peru maintaining an empire until the Spanish conquest
- a king or noble of the Inca empire
- a member of any people under Inca influence
in·cal·cu·la·ble [(,)in-'kal-kyə-lə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- : not capable of being calculated: as
- very great
- not predictable : uncertain
in·ca·les·cence [,in-kə-'le-sᵊn(t)s, ,iŋ-] -n, adj
- a growing warm or ardent
in camera -adv
- in private : secretly
in·can·desce [,in-kən-'des also -(,)kan-] -vi
- to be or become incandescent
in·can·des·cence [,in-kən-'de-sᵊn(t)s also -(,)kan-] -n
- the quality or state of being incandescent
- emission by a hot body of radiation that makes it visible
in·can·des·cent [-sᵊnt] -adj, adv
- white, glowing, or luminous with intense heat
- strikingly bright, radiant, or clear
- marked by brilliance esp. of expression
- characterized by glowing zeal : ardent
- of, relating to, or being light produced by incandescence
- producing light by incandescence
incandescent -n
- lightbulb
incandescent lamp -n
- lightbulb
in·cant [in-'kant] -vi
- recite, utter
in·can·ta·tion [,in-,kan-'tā-shən] -n, adj
- a use of spells or verbal charms spoken or sung as a part of a ritual of magic
- a written or recited formula of words designed to produce a particular effect
in·ca·pa·ble [(,)in-'kā-pə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- : lacking capacity, ability, or qualification for the purpose or end in view: as
- not able to take in, hold, or keep
- not receptive
- not being in a state or of a kind to admit : insusceptible
- not able or fit for the doing or performance : incompetent
- lacking legal qualification or power (as by reason of mental incompetence) : disqualified
in·ca·pac·i·tate [,in-kə-'pa-sə-,tāt] -vt, n
- to make legally incapable or ineligible
- to deprive of capacity or natural power : disable
in·ca·pac·i·ty [,in-kə-'pa-sə-tē, -'pas-tē] -n
- the quality or state of being incapable
- lack of physical or intellectual power or of natural or legal qualifications
in·car·cer·ate [in-'kär-sə-,rāt] -vt, n
- to put in prison
- to subject to confinement
in·car·di·na·tion [(,)in-,kär-dᵊn-'ā-shən] -n
- the formal acceptance by a diocese of a clergyman from another diocese
in·car·na·dine [in-'kär-nə-,dīn, -,dēn, -dən] -adj
- having the pinkish color of flesh
- red
- bloodred
incarnadine -vt
- to make incarnadine : redden
in·car·nate [in-'kär-nət, -,nāt] -adj
- invested with bodily and esp. human nature and form
- made manifest or comprehensible : embodied
- incarnadine
- : to make incarnate: as
- to give bodily form and substance to
- incarnate s the devil as a serpent
- to give a concrete or actual form to : actualize
- to constitute an embodiment or type of
- no one culture incarnate s every important human value -- Denis Goulet
in·car·na·tion [,in-(,)kär-'nā-shən] -n, adj
- the embodiment of a deity or spirit in some earthly form
- the union of divinity with humanity in Jesus Christ
- a concrete or actual form of a quality or concept
- a person showing a trait or typical character to a marked degree
- she is the incarnation of goodness
- the act of incarnating : the state of being incarnate
- a particular physical form or state : version
- in another incarnation he might be a first vice-president -- Walter Teller
- TV and movie incarnation s of the story
in case -conj
- if
- in case we are surprised, keep by me -- Washington Irving
- as a precaution against the event that
- carries a gun in case he is attacked
in·cau·tion [(,)in-'kȯ-shən] -n
- lack of caution : heedlessness
in·cau·tious [-shəs] -adj, adv, n
- lacking in caution : careless
in·cen·di·a·rism [in-'sen-dē-ə-,ri-zəm] -n
- incendiary action or behavior
in·cen·di·ary [in-'sen-dē-,er-ē; -'sen-də-rē, -dyə-] -n
- a person who commits arson : arsonist
- an incendiary agent (as a bomb)
- a person who excites factions, quarrels, or sedition : agitator
incendiary -adj
- of, relating to, or involving arson : arsonous
- tending to excite or inflame : inflammatory
- igniting combustible materials spontaneously
- of, relating to, or being a weapon (as a bomb) designed to start fires
- extremely hot
in·cense ['in-,sen(t)s] -n
- material used to produce a fragrant odor when burned
- the perfume exhaled from some spices and gums when burned
- a pleasing scent
- pleasing attention : flattery
incense -vt
- to apply or offer incense to
- to perfume with incense
in·cense [in-'sen(t)s] -vt
- to cause (a passion or emotion) to become aroused
- to arouse the extreme anger or indignation of
incense cedar -n
- a tall tree ( Calocedrus decurrenssyn. Libocedrus decurrens) of the cypress family found growing from Oregon to Baja California that has reddish-brown bark, scalelike foliage, and light soft aromatic wood
- its wood
in·cent [in-'sent] -vt
- incentivize
in·cen·ter ['in-,sen-tər] -n
- the single point in which the three bisectors of the interior angles of a triangle intersect and which is the center of the inscribed circle
in·cen·tive [in-'sen-tiv] -n, adj
- something that incites or has a tendency to incite to determination or action
in·cen·tiv·ize [in-'sen-tə-,vīz] -vt
- to provide with an incentive
- would incentivize employees with stock options
in·cep·tion [in-'sep-shən] -n
- an act, process, or instance of beginning : commencement
in·cep·tive [in-'sep-tiv] -n
- an inchoative verb
inceptive -adj, adv
- inchoative
- of or relating to a beginning
in·cer·ti·tude [(,)in-'sər-tə-,tüd, -,tyüd] -n
- : uncertainty:
- absence of assurance or confidence : doubt
- the quality or state of being unstable or insecure
in·ces·san·cy [(,)in-'se-sᵊn(t)-sē] -n
- the quality or state of being incessant
in·ces·sant [(,)in-'se-sᵊnt] -adj, adv
- continuing or following without interruption : unceasing
in·cest ['in-,sest] -n
- sexual intercourse between persons so closely related that they are forbidden by law to marry
- the statutory crime of such a relationship
in·ces·tu·ous [in-'ses-chə-wəs, -'sesh-] -adj, adv, n
- constituting or involving incest
- guilty of incest
- excessively or improperly intimate or exclusive
- mainstream fashion magazines have an incestuous relationship with advertisers -- Guy Trebay
inch ['inch] -n
- a unit of length equal to yard
- a small amount, distance, or degree
- is like cutting a dog's tail off by inch es -- Milton Friedman
- stature, height
- a fall (as of rain or snow) sufficient to cover a surface or to fill a gauge to the depth of one inch
- a degree of atmospheric or other pressure sufficient to balance the weight of a column of liquid (as mercury) one inch high in a barometer or manometer
- a small advantage esp. from lenient or compassionate treatment usu. used in the phrase give an inch
- to move by small degrees : progress slowly
- the long line of people inch ing up the stairs
- to cause to move slowly
- sooner or later they begin inch ing prices back up -- Forbes
- island
inched ['incht] -adj
- measuring a specified number of inches
inch·meal ['inch-,mēl, -'mēl] -adv
- little by little, gradually
in·cho·ate [in-'kō-ət, 'in-kə-,wāt] -adj, adv, n
- being only partly in existence or operation : incipient
- imperfectly formed or formulated : formless, incoherent
- misty, inchoate suspicions that all is not well with the nation -- J. M. Perry
in·cho·a·tive [in-'kō-ə-tiv] -adj, n, adv
- initial, formative
- denoting the beginning of an action, state, or occurrence used of verbs
inch·worm ['inch-,wərm] -n
- looper
in·ci·dence ['in(t)-sə-dən(t)s, -,den(t)s] -n
- angle of incidence
- the arrival of something (as a projectile or a ray of light) at a surface
- an act or the fact or manner of falling upon or affecting : occurrence
- rate of occurrence or influence
- a high incidence of crime
in·ci·dent ['in(t)-sə-dənt, -,dent] -n
- something dependent on or subordinate to something else of greater or principal importance
- an occurrence of an action or situation that is a separate unit of experience : happening
- an accompanying minor occurrence or condition : concomitant
- an action likely to lead to grave consequences esp. in diplomatic matters
- a serious border incident
incident -adj
- occurring or likely to occur esp. as a minor consequence or accompaniment
- the confusion incident to moving day
- dependent on or relating to another thing in law
- falling or striking on something
in·ci·den·tal [,in(t)-sə-'den-tᵊl] -adj
- being likely to ensue as a chance or minor consequence
- social obligations incidental to the job
- minor
- occurring merely by chance or without intention or calculation
incidental -n
- minor items (as of expense) that are not particularized
- something that is incidental
in·ci·den·tal·ly [-'den-tᵊl-ē, esp for 2 -'dent-lē] -adv
- in an incidental manner : not intentionally
- the arrant nonsense of some of his statements is incidentally hilarious -- John Lahr
- by way of interjection or digression : by the way
- fortunate in having a good teacher...-still living, incidentally -- John Fischer
incidental music -n
- descriptive music played during a play to project a mood or to accompany stage action
in·cin·er·ate [in-'si-nə-,rāt] -vt, n
- to cause to burn to ashes
in·cin·er·a·tor [in-'si-nə-,rā-tər] -n
- one that incinerates
- a furnace or a container for incinerating waste materials
in·cip·i·ence [in-'si-pē-ən(t)s] -n
- incipiency
in·cip·i·en·cy [-ən(t)-sē] -n
- the state or fact of being incipient : beginning
in·cip·i·ent [-ənt] -adj, adv
- beginning to come into being or to become apparent
- an incipient solar system
- evidence of incipient racial tension
in·ci·pit ['in(t)-sə-pət, 'iŋ-kə-,pit; in-'si-pət, -'ki-] -n
- the first part : beginning
- the opening words of a text of a medieval manuscript or early printed book
in·ci·sal [in-'sī-zəl, -səl] -adj
- relating to, involving, or being the cutting edge or surface of a tooth (as an incisor)
in·cise [in-'sīz, -'sīs] -vt
- to cut into
- to carve figures, letters, or devices into : engrave
- to carve (as an inscription) into a surface
incised -adj
- cut in : engraved
- decorated with incised figures
- having a margin that is deeply and sharply notched
in·ci·sion [in-'si-zhən] -n
- cut, gash
- a wound made esp. in surgery by incising the body
- a marginal notch (as in a leaf)
- an act of incising something
- the quality or state of being incisive
in·ci·sive [in-'sī-siv] -adj, adv, n
- impressively direct and decisive (as in manner or presentation)
- an incisive unsentimental writer
in·ci·sor [in-'sī-zər] -n
- a front tooth typically adapted for cutting
- one of the cutting teeth in mammals located between the canines when canines are present
in·ci·ta·tion [,in-,sī-'tā-shən, ,in(t)-sə-] -n
- an act of inciting : stimulation
- something that incites to action : incentive
in·cite [in-'sīt] -vt, n
- to move to action : stir up : spur on : urge on
in·ci·vil·i·ty [,in(t)-sə-'vi-lə-tē] -n
- the quality or state of being uncivil
- a rude or discourteous act
incl -abbr
- include; included; including; inclusive
in·clem·en·cy [(,)in-'kle-mən(t)-sē] -n
- the quality or state of being inclement
in·clem·ent [(,)in-'kle-mənt, 'in-klə-] -adj, adv
- : lacking mildness: as
- severe in temper or action : unmerciful
- physically severe : stormy
in·clin·able [in-'klī-nə-bəl] -adj
- having a tendency or inclination
- disposed to favor or think well of
- capable of being inclined
- an inclinable steering column
in·cli·na·tion [,in-klə-'nā-shən, ,iŋ-] -n, adj
- natural disposition : character
- a particular disposition of mind or character : propensity
- liking
- had little inclination for housekeeping
- : an act or the action of bending or inclining: as
- bow, nod
- a tilting of something
- a deviation from the true vertical or horizontal : slant
- the degree of such deviation
- an inclined surface : slope
- the angle determined by two lines or planes
- the angle made by a line with the x-axis measured counterclockwise from the positive direction of that axis
- a tendency to a particular aspect, state, character, or action
- the clutch has an inclination to slip
in·cline [in-'klīn] -vb, n
- to bend the head or body forward : bow
- to lean, tend, or become drawn toward an opinion or course of conduct
- to deviate from a line, direction, or course
- to deviate from the vertical or horizontal
- to cause to stoop or bow : bend
- to have influence on : persuade
- his love of books inclined him toward a literary career
- to give a bend or slant to
- an inclined plane : grade, slope
in·clined [in-'klīnd, 2 also 'in-,] -adj
- having inclination, disposition, or tendency
- having a leaning or slope
- making an angle with a line or plane
inclined plane -n
- a plane surface that makes an oblique angle with the plane of the horizon
in·clin·ing [in-'klī-niŋ] -n
- inclination
- party, following
in·cli·nom·e·ter [,in-klə-'nä-mə-tər, ,iŋ-; ,in-,klī-] -n
- an instrument for indicating the inclination to the horizontal of an axis (as of an airplane)
in·clip [in-'klip] -vt
- clasp, enclose
inclose [in-'klōz, en-] -vt
(variant of enclose)
- to close in : surround
- enclose a porch with glass
- to fence off (common land) for individual use
- to hold in : confine
- to include along with something else in a parcel or envelope
- a check is enclosed herewith
in·clude [in-'klüd] -vt, adj
- to shut up : enclose
- to take in or comprise as a part of a whole or group
- to contain between or within
- two sides and the included angle
in·clu·sion [in-'klü-zhən] -n, adj
- the act of including : the state of being included
- : something that is included: as
- a gaseous, liquid, or solid foreign body enclosed in a mass (as of a mineral)
- a passive usu. temporary product of cell activity (as a starch grain) within the cytoplasm or nucleus
- a relation between two classes that exists when all members of the first are also members of the second
- the act or practice of including students with disabilities in regular school classes
inclusion body -n
- an inclusion, abnormal structure, or foreign cell within a cell (as the eosinophilic body formed by a cytomegalovirus or the abnormal filament characteristic of some myopathies)
in·clu·sive [in-'klü-siv, -ziv] -adj, adv, n
- comprehending stated limits or extremes
- from Monday to Friday inclusive
- broad in orientation or scope
- covering or intended to cover all items, costs, or services
inclusive disjunction -n
- a complex sentence in logic that is true when either or both of its constituent propositions are true
inclusive of -prep
- including or taking into account
- the cost of building inclusive of materials
in·clu·siv·i·ty [in-(,)klü-'si-və-tē, -'zi-] -n
- the quality or state of being inclusive : inclusiveness
in·co·erc·ible [,in-kō-'ər-sə-bəl] -adj
- incapable of being controlled, checked, or confined
incog -abbr
- incognito
in·cog·i·tant [in-'kä-jə-tənt] -adj
- thoughtless, inconsiderate
in·cog·ni·ta [,in-,käg-'nē-tə also in-'käg-nə-tə] -adv or adj, n
- incognito used only of a woman
in·cog·ni·to [,in-,käg-'nē-(,)tō also in-'käg-nə-,tō] -adv or adj
- with one's identity concealed
incognito -n
- one appearing or living incognito
- the state or assumed identity of one living or traveling incognito or incognita
in·cog·ni·zant [(,)in-'käg-nə-zənt] -adj, n
- lacking awareness or consciousness
- incognizant of the danger
in·co·her·ence [,in-kō-'hir-ən(t)s, -'her-] -n
- the quality or state of being incoherent
- something that is incoherent
in·co·her·ent [-ənt] -adj, adv
- : lacking coherence: as
- lacking cohesion : loose
- lacking orderly continuity, arrangement, or relevance : inconsistent
- lacking normal clarity or intelligibility in speech or thought
in·com·bus·ti·ble [,in-kəm-'bəs-tə-bəl] -adj, n
- not combustible : incapable of being burned
in·come ['in-,kəm also 'in-kəm or 'iŋ-kəm] -n
- a coming in : entrance, influx
- fluctuations in the nutrient income of a body of water
- a gain or recurrent benefit usu. measured in money that derives from capital or labor
- the amount of such gain received in a period of time
- has an income of 30,000 a year
income account -n
- a financial statement of a business showing the details of revenues, costs, expenses, losses, and profits for a given period called also income statement
income bond -n
- a bond that pays interest at a rate based on the issuer's earnings
in·com·er ['in-,kə-mər] -n
- one who comes in : immigrant, newcomer
income tax -n
- a tax on the net income of an individual or a business
in·com·ing ['in-,kə-miŋ] -n
- the act of coming in : arrival
- income usu. used in pl.
incoming -adj
- coming in : arriving
- taking a new place or position esp. as part of a succession
- just starting or beginning
in·com·men·su·ra·ble [,in-kə-'men(t)s-rə-bəl, -'men(t)sh-; -'men(t)-sə-, -shə-] -adj, n, adv
- not commensurable
- lacking a basis of comparison in respect to a quality normally subject to comparison
in·com·men·su·rate [-'men(t)s-rət, -'men(t)sh-; -'men(t)-sə-, -shə-] -adj
- : not commensurate: as
- incommensurable
- inadequate
- disproportionate
- a confidence incommensurate with their ability
in·com·mode [,in-kə-'mōd] -vt
- to give inconvenience or distress to : disturb
in·com·mo·di·ous [,in-kə-'mō-dē-əs] -adj, adv, n
- not commodious : inconvenient
- could sleep in the most incommodious places
in·com·mod·i·ty [-'mä-də-tē] -n
- a source of inconvenience : disadvantage
- the incommodities of a single life -- Samuel Johnson
in·com·mu·ni·ca·ble [,in-kə-'myü-ni-kə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- : not communicable: as
- uncommunicative
- incapable of being communicated or imparted
in·com·mu·ni·ca·do [-,myü-nə-'kä-(,)dō] -adv or adj
- without means of communication
- in a situation or state not allowing communication
- a prisoner held incommunicado
- remained incommunicado while working on her book
in·com·mu·ni·ca·tive [-'myü-nə-,kā-tiv, -ni-kə-tiv] -adj
- uncommunicative
in·com·mut·able [,in-kə-'myü-tə-bəl] -adj, adv
- : not commutable: as
- not interchangeable
- unchangeable
in·com·pa·ra·ble [(,)in-'käm-p(ə-)rə-bəl also ,in-kəm-'pa-rə-, -'per-ə-] -adj, n, adv
- eminent beyond comparison : matchless
- not suitable for comparison
in·com·pat·i·bil·i·ty [,in-kəm-,pa-tə-'bi-lə-tē] -n
- the quality or state of being incompatible
- lack of interfertility between two plants
- mutually antagonistic things or qualities
in·com·pat·i·ble [,in-kəm-'pa-tə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- incapable of being held by one person at one time used of offices that make conflicting demands on the holder
- : not compatible: as
- incapable of association or harmonious coexistence
- unsuitable for use together because of undesirable chemical or physiological effects
- not both true
- incompatible propositions
- incapable of blending into a stable homogeneous mixture
in·com·pe·tence [(,)in-'käm-pə-tən(t)s] -n
- the state or fact of being incompetent
in·com·pe·ten·cy [-tən(t)-sē] -n
- incompetence
in·com·pe·tent [(,)in-'käm-pə-tənt] -adj, n, adv
- not legally qualified
- inadequate to or unsuitable for a particular purpose
- lacking the qualities needed for effective action
- unable to function properly
in·com·plete [,in-kəm-'plēt] -adj, adv, n
- : not complete : unfinished: as
- lacking a part
- lacking one or more sets of floral organs
- characterized by the absence of a pupal stage between the immature stages and the adult of an insect in which the young usu. resemble the adult
- not legally caught
in·com·pli·ant [,in-kəm-'plī-ənt] -adj
- not compliant or pliable
in·com·pre·hen·si·ble [(,)in-,käm-pri-'hen(t)-sə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- having or subject to no limits
- impossible to comprehend : unintelligible
- incomprehensible instructions
in·com·pre·hen·sion [-'hen(t)-shən] -n
- lack of comprehension or understanding
in·com·press·ible [,in-kəm-'pre-sə-bəl] -adj
- incapable of or resistant to compression
in·com·put·able [,in-kəm-'pyü-tə-bəl] -adj, adv
- not computable : very great
in·con·ceiv·able [,in-kən-'sē-və-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- : not conceivable: as
- impossible to comprehend
- unbelievable
in·con·cin·ni·ty [,in-kən-'si-nə-tē] -n
- lack of suitability or congruity : inelegance
in·con·clu·sive [,in-kən-'klü-siv, -ziv] -adj, adv, n
- leading to no conclusion or definite result
in·con·dite [in-'kän-dət, -,dīt] -adj
- badly put together : crude
in·con·for·mi·ty [,in-kən-'fȯr-mə-tē] -n
- nonconformity
in·con·gru·ence [,in-kən-'grü-ən(t)s, (,)in-'käŋ-grə-wən(t)s] -n
- incongruity
in·con·gru·ent [-ənt, -wənt] -adj, adv
- not congruent
in·con·gru·i·ty [,in-kən-'grü-ə-tē, -,kän-] -n
- the quality or state of being incongruous
- something that is incongruous
in·con·gru·ous [(,)in-'käŋ-grə-wəs] -adj, adv, n
- : lacking congruity: as
- not harmonious : incompatible
- not conforming : disagreeing
- conduct incongruous with principle
- inconsistent within itself
- lacking propriety : unsuitable
in·con·scient [(,)in-'kän(t)-shənt] -adj
- unconscious, mindless
in·con·sec·u·tive [,in-kən-'se-kyə-tiv, -kə-tiv] -adj
- not consecutive
in·con·se·quence [(,)in-'kän(t)-sə-,kwen(t)s, -si-kwən(t)s] -n
- the quality or state of being inconsequent
in·con·se·quent [-,kwent, -kwənt] -adj, adv
- lacking reasonable sequence : illogical
- inconsecutive
- inconsequential
- irrelevant
in·con·se·quen·tial [(,)in-,kän(t)-sə-'kwen(t)-shəl] -adj, n, adv
- illogical
- irrelevant
- of no significance : unimportant
in·con·sid·er·able [,in-kən-'si-dər-(ə-)bəl, -'si-drə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- not considerable : slight, trivial
- the cost was not inconsiderable
in·con·sid·er·ate [,in-kən-'si-d(ə-)rət] -adj, adv, n
- heedless, thoughtless
- careless of the rights or feelings of others
- not adequately considered : ill-advised
in·con·sis·tence [,in-kən-'sis-tən(t)s] -n
- inconsistency
in·con·sis·ten·cy [,in-kən-'sis-tən(t)-sē] -n
- an instance of being inconsistent
- the quality or state of being inconsistent
in·con·sis·tent [-tənt] -adj, adv
- : lacking consistency: as
- not compatible with another fact or claim
- containing incompatible elements
- incoherent or illogical in thought or actions : changeable
- not satisfiable by the same set of values for the unknowns
- inconsistent inequalities
in·con·sol·able [,in-kən-'sō-lə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- incapable of being consoled : disconsolate
in·con·so·nance [(,)in-'kän(t)-s(ə-)nən(t)s] -n
- lack of consonance or harmony : disagreement
in·con·so·nant [-s(ə-)nənt] -adj
- not consonant : discordant
in·con·spic·u·ous [,in-kən-'spi-kyə-wəs, -kyü-əs] -adj, adv, n
- not readily noticeable
in·con·stan·cy [(,)in-'kän(t)-stən(t)-sē] -n
- the quality or state of being inconstant
in·con·stant [-stənt] -adj, adv
- likely to change frequently without apparent or cogent reason
in·con·sum·able [,in-kən-'sü-mə-bəl] -adj, adv
- not capable of being consumed
in·con·test·able [,in-kən-'tes-tə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- not contestable : indisputable
in·con·ti·nence [(,)in-'kän-tə-nən(t)s] -n
- : the quality or state of being incontinent: as
- failure to restrain sexual appetite : unchastity
- inability of the body to control the evacuative functions of urination or defecation
in·con·ti·nen·cy [-nən(t)-sē] -n
- incontinence
in·con·ti·nent [(,)in-'kän-tə-nənt] -adj
- : not continent: as
- lacking self-restraint
- not being under control
- unable to retain urine or feces voluntarily
incontinent -adv
- incontinently
in·con·ti·nent·ly -adv
- without delay : immediately
incontinently -adv
- : in an incontinent or unrestrained manner: as
- without moral restraint : lewdly
- without due or reasonable consideration
in·con·trol·la·ble [,in-kən-'trō-lə-bəl] -adj
- uncontrollable
in·con·tro·vert·ible [(,)in-,kän-trə-'vər-tə-bəl] -adj, adv
- not open to question : indisputable
in·con·ve·nience [,in-kən-'vē-nyən(t)s] -n
- something that is inconvenient
- the quality or state of being inconvenient
inconvenience -vt
- to subject to inconvenience : put to trouble
- sorry to inconvenience you
in·con·ve·nien·cy [,in-kən-'vē-nyən(t)-sē] -n
- inconvenience
in·con·ve·nient [,in-kən-'vē-nyənt] -adj, adv
- not convenient esp. in giving trouble or annoyance : inopportune
in·con·vert·ible [-'vər-tə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- : not convertible: as
- not exchangeable for coin
- not exchangeable for a foreign currency
in·con·vinc·ible [,in-kən-'vin(t)-sə-bəl] -adj
- incapable of being convinced
in·co·or·di·na·tion [-(,)kō-,ȯr-də-'nā-shən] -n
- lack of coordination
- ataxia
in·cor·po·rate [in-'kȯr-pə-,rāt] -vb, adj, n
- to unite or work into something already existent so as to form an indistinguishable whole
- to blend or combine thoroughly
- to form into a legal corporation
- to admit to membership in a corporate body
- to give material form to : embody
- to unite in or as one body
- to form or become a corporation
- incorporated
incorporated -adj
- united in one body
- formed into a legal corporation
in·cor·po·re·al [,in-(,)kȯr-'pȯr-ē-əl] -adj, adv
- not corporeal : having no material body or form
- of, relating to, or constituting a right that is based on property (as bonds or patents) which has no intrinsic value
in·cor·po·re·ity [(,)in-,kȯr-pə-'rē-ə-tē] -n
- the quality or state of being incorporeal : immateriality
in·cor·rect [,in-kə-'rekt] -adj, adv, n
- not corrected or chastened
- inaccurate, faulty
- an incorrect transcription
- not true : wrong
- unbecoming, improper
in·cor·ri·gi·ble [(,)in-'kȯr-ə-jə-bəl, -'kär-] -adj, n, adv
- : incapable of being corrected or amended: as
- not reformable : depraved
- delinquent
- not manageable : unruly
- unalterable, inveterate
in·cor·rupt [,in-kə-'rəpt] -adj, adv, n
- : free from corruption: as
- not affected with decay
- not defiled or depraved : upright
- free from error
in·cor·rupt·ible [,in-kə-'rəp-tə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- : incapable of corruption: as
- not subject to decay or dissolution
- incapable of being bribed or morally corrupted
in·cor·rup·tion [,in-kə-'rəp-shən] -n
- the quality or state of being free from physical decay
incr -abbr
- increase; increased
in·crease [in-'krēs, 'in-,] -vb, adj, n
- to become progressively greater (as in size, amount, number, or intensity)
- to multiply by the production of young
- to make greater : augment
- enrich
- : the act or process of increasing: as
- addition or enlargement in size, extent, or quantity
- propagation
- something that is added to an original stock or amount by augmentation or growth (as offspring, produce, profit)
increased -adj
- made or become greater : augmented
- at increased risk for heart disease
in·creas·ing·ly [in-'krē-siŋ-lē, 'in-,krē-] -adv
- to an increasing degree
- an increasingly dangerous situation
in·cre·ate [,in-krē-'āt, in-'krē-ət] -adj
- uncreated
in·cred·i·ble [(,)in-'kre-də-bəl] -adj, n
- too extraordinary and improbable to be believed
- amazing, extraordinary
in·cred·i·bly [-blē] -adv
- in an incredible manner
- extremely
in·cre·du·li·ty [,in-kri-'dü-lə-tē, -'dyü-] -n
- the quality or state of being incredulous : disbelief
in·cred·u·lous [(,)in-'kre-jə-ləs, -dyə-ləs] -adj, adv
- unwilling to admit or accept what is offered as true : not credulous : skeptical
- incredible
- expressing incredulity
in·cre·ment ['iŋ-krə-mənt, 'in-] -n
- the action or process of increasing esp. in quantity or value : enlargement
- something gained or added
- one of a series of regular consecutive additions
- a minute increase in quantity
- the amount or degree by which something changes
- the amount of positive or negative change in the value of one or more of a set of variables
in·cre·men·tal [,iŋ-krə-'men-tᵊl, ,in-] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, being, or occurring in esp. small increments
in·cre·men·tal·ism [,iŋ-krə-'men-tə-,li-zəm] -n
- a policy or advocacy of a policy of political or social change by degrees : gradualism
incremental repetition -n
- repetition in each stanza (as of a ballad) of part of the preceding stanza usu. with a slight change in wording for dramatic effect
in·cres·cent [in-'kre-sᵊnt] -adj
- becoming gradually greater : waxing
in·crim·i·nate [in-'kri-mə-,nāt] -vt, n, adj
- to charge with or show evidence or proof of involvement in a crime or fault
incrust [in-'krəst, iŋ-] -vb
(variant of encrust)
- to cover, line, or overlay with or as if with a crust
- to form a crust
in·crus·ta·tion [,in-,krəs-'tā-shən] -n
- a crust or hard coating
- a growth or accumulation (as of habits, opinions, or customs) resembling a crust
- the act of encrusting : the state of being encrusted
- overlay
- inlay
in·cu·bate ['iŋ-kyə-,bāt, 'in-] -vb, adj
- to sit on (eggs) so as to hatch by the warmth of the body
- to maintain (as an embryo or a chemically active system) under conditions favorable for hatching, development, or reaction
- to cause or aid the development of
- to sit on eggs
- to undergo incubation : develop
in·cu·ba·tion [,iŋ-kyə-'bā-shən, ,in-] -n
- the act or process of incubating
- incubation period
incubation period -n
- the period between the infection of an individual by a pathogen and the manifestation of the illness or disease it causes
in·cu·ba·tor ['iŋ-kyə-,bā-tər, 'in-] -n
- : one that incubates: as
- an apparatus by which eggs are hatched artificially
- an apparatus with a chamber used to provide controlled environmental conditions esp. for the cultivation of microorganisms or the care and protection of premature or sick babies
- an organization or place that aids the development of new business ventures esp. by providing low-cost commercial space, management assistance, or shared services
in·cu·bus ['iŋ-kyə-bəs, 'in-] -n
- an evil spirit that lies on persons in their sleep
- one that has sexual intercourse with women while they are sleeping
- nightmare
- one that oppresses or burdens like a nightmare
in·cul·cate [in-'kəl-,kāt, 'in-(,)] -vt, n
- to teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions
in·cul·pa·ble [(,)in-'kəl-pə-bəl] -adj
- free from guilt : blameless
in·cul·pate [in-'kəl-,pāt, 'in-(,)] -vt, n, adj
- incriminate
in·cult [in-'kəlt] -adj
- coarse, uncultured
in·cum·ben·cy [in-'kəm-bən(t)-sē] -n
- something that is incumbent : duty
- the quality or state of being incumbent
- the sphere of action or period of office of an incumbent
in·cum·bent [in-'kəm-bənt] -n
- the holder of an office or ecclesiastical benefice
- one that occupies a particular position or place
incumbent -adj
- imposed as a duty : obligatory
- incumbent on us to take action
- having the status of an incumbent
- the team's incumbent third baseman
- occupying a specified office
- lying or resting on something else
- bent over so as to rest on or touch an underlying surface
in·cum·ber [in-'kəm-bər] -vt
(variant of encumber)
- weigh down, burden
- tourists encumber ed by heavy luggage
- to impede or hamper the function or activity of : hinder
- negotiations encumber ed by a lack of trust
- to burden with a legal claim (as a mortgage)
in·cu·na·ble [in-'kyü-nə-bəl] -n
- incunabulum
in·cu·nab·u·lum [,in-kyə-'na-byə-ləm, ,iŋ-] -n
- a book printed before 1501
- a work of art or of industry of an early period
in·cur [in-'kər] -vt
- to become liable or subject to : bring down upon oneself
in·cur·able [(,)in-'kyu̇r-ə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- not curable
- not likely to be changed or corrected
in·cu·ri·ous [(,)in-'kyu̇r-ē-əs] -adj, n, adv
- lacking a normal or usual curiosity : uninterested
in·cur·rence [in-'kər-ən(t)s, -'kə-rən(t)s] -n
- the act or process of incurring
in·cur·rent [-ənt, -rənt] -adj
- giving passage to a current that flows inward
in·cur·sion [in-'kər-zhən] -n
- a hostile entrance into a territory : raid
- an entering in or into (as an activity or undertaking)
- his only incursion into the arts
in·cur·vate ['in-,kər-,vāt, (,)in-'kər-] -vt, adj, n
- to cause to curve inward : bend
in·curve [(,)in-'kərv, 'in-,] -vt
- to bend so as to curve inward
in·cus ['iŋ-kəs] -n
- the middle bone of a chain of three small bones in the ear of a mammal called also anvil
in·cuse [in-'kyüz, -'kyüs] -adj
- formed by stamping or punching in used chiefly of old coins or features of their design
ind -abbr
- independent
- index
- industrial; industry
Ind ['ind, 'īnd] -n
- India
- Indies
- Indian
- Indiana
IND -abbr
- investigational new drug
ind- -comb form
- indigo
- resembling indigo (as in color)
in·da·ba [in-'dä-bə] -n
- conference, parley
in·da·gate ['in-də-,gāt] -vt, n
- to search into : investigate
IndE -abbr
- industrial engineer
in·debt·ed [in-'de-təd] -adj
- owing gratitude or recognition to another : beholden
- owing money
in·debt·ed·ness -n
- the condition of being indebted
- something (as an amount of money) that is owed
in·de·cen·cy [(,)in-'dē-sᵊn(t)-sē] -n
- the quality or state of being indecent
- something (as a word or action) that is indecent
in·de·cent [-sᵊnt] -adj, adv
- : not decent: as
- grossly improper or offensive
- unseemly, inappropriate
- he took indecent pleasure in her troubles
indecent assault -n
- an offensive sexual act or series of acts exclusive of rape committed against another person without consent
indecent exposure -n
- intentional exposure of part of one's body (as the genitals) in a place where such exposure is likely to be an offense against the generally accepted standards of decency
in·de·ci·pher·able [,in-di-'sī-f(ə-)rə-bəl] -adj
- incapable of being deciphered
in·de·ci·sion [,in-di-'si-zhən] -n
- a wavering between two or more possible courses of action : irresolution
in·de·ci·sive [,in-di-'sī-siv] -adj, adv, n
- not decisive : inconclusive
- marked by or prone to indecision : irresolute
- an indecisive state of mind
- not clearly marked out : indefinite
in·de·clin·able [,in-di-'klī-nə-bəl] -adj
- having no grammatical inflections
in·de·com·pos·able [,in-,dē-kəm-'pō-zə-bəl] -adj
- not capable of being separated into component parts or elements
in·de·co·rous [(,)in-'de-k(ə-)rəs; ,in-di-'kȯr-əs] -adj, adv, n
- not decorous : conflicting with accepted standards of good conduct or good taste
in·de·co·rum [,in-di-'kȯr-əm] -n
- something that is indecorous
- lack of decorum : impropriety
in·deed [in-'dēd] -adv
- without any question : truly, undeniably often used interjectionally to express irony or disbelief or surprise
- in reality
- all things considered : as a matter of fact
in·de·fat·i·ga·ble [,in-di-'fa-ti-gə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- incapable of being fatigued : untiring
in·de·fea·si·ble [-'fē-zə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- not capable of being annulled or voided or undone
in·de·fec·ti·ble [-'fek-tə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- not subject to failure or decay : lasting
- free of faults : flawless
in·de·fen·si·ble [-'fen(t)-sə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- incapable of being maintained as right or valid : untenable
- incapable of being justified or excused : inexcusable
- incapable of being protected against physical attack
in·de·fin·able [-'fī-nə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- incapable of being precisely described or analyzed
in·def·i·nite [(,)in-'def-nət, -'de-fə-] -adj, n, adv
- : not definite: as
- typically designating an unidentified, generic, or unfamiliar person or thing
- the indefinite articles a and an
- not precise : vague
- having no exact limits
indefinite integral -n
- any function whose derivative is a given function
in·de·his·cent [,in-di-'hi-sᵊnt] -adj, n
- remaining closed at maturity
in·del·i·ble [in-'de-lə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- that cannot be removed, washed away, or erased
- making marks that cannot easily be removed
- lasting
- unforgettable, memorable
in·del·i·ca·cy [(,)in-'de-li-kə-sē] -n
- the quality or state of being indelicate
- something that is indelicate
in·del·i·cate [-li-kət] -adj, adv, n
- : not delicate:
- lacking in or offending against propriety : improper
- verging on the indecent : coarse
- marked by a lack of feeling for the sensibilities of others : tactless
in·dem·ni·fi·ca·tion [in-,dem-nə-fə-'kā-shən] -n
- the action of indemnifying
- the condition of being indemnified
- indemnity
in·dem·ni·fy [in-'dem-nə-,fī] -vt, n
- to secure against hurt, loss, or damage
- to make compensation to for incurred hurt, loss, or damage
in·dem·ni·ty [in-'dem-nə-tē] -n
- security against hurt, loss, or damage
- exemption from incurred penalties or liabilities
- indemnification
- something that indemnifies
- fee-for-service usu. used attributively
in·de·mon·stra·ble [,in-di-'män(t)-strə-bəl, (,)in-'de-mən-strə-] -adj, adv
- incapable of being demonstrated : not subject to proof
in·dent [in-'dent] -vb, n
- to divide (a document) so as to produce sections with irregular edges that can be matched for authentication
- to draw up (as a deed) in two or more exactly corresponding copies
- to notch the edge of : make jagged
- indenture
- to set (as a line of a paragraph) in from the margin
- to order by an indent
- to make a formal or express agreement
- to form an indentation
- to make out an indent for something
- indenture
- a certificate issued by the U.S. at the close of the American Revolution for the principal or interest on the public debt
- an official requisition
- a purchase order for goods esp. when sent from a foreign country
- indention
- to force inward so as to form a depression
- to form a dent in
- indentation
in·den·ta·tion [,in-,den-'tā-shən] -n
- an angular cut in an edge : notch
- a recess in a surface
- the action of indenting : the condition of being indented
- dent
- indention
in·den·tion [in-'den(t)-shən] -n
- indentation
- the action of indenting : the condition of being indented
- the blank space produced by indenting
in·den·ture [in-'den(t)-shər] -n
- a document or a section of a document that is indented
- a formal or official document usu. executed in two or more copies
- a contract binding one person to work for another for a given period of time often used in pl.
- a formal certificate (as an inventory or voucher) prepared for purposes of control
- a document stating the terms under which a security (as a bond) is issued
- indentation
- dent
indenture [-'den(t)-shriŋ, -'den(t)-shə-riŋ] -vt
- to bind (as an apprentice) by or as if by indentures
indentured servant -n
- a person who signs and is bound by indentures to work for another for a specified time esp. in return for payment of travel expenses and maintenance
in·de·pen·dence [,in-də-'pen-dən(t)s] -n
- the quality or state of being independent
- competence
Independence Day -n
- a civil holiday for the celebration of the anniversary of the beginnings of national independence
- July 4 observed as a legal holiday in the U.S. in commemoration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776
in·de·pen·den·cy [,in-də-'pen-dən(t)-sē] -n
- independence
- the Independent polity or movement
- an independent political unit
in·de·pen·dent [,in-də-'pen-dənt] -adj, adv
- : not dependent: as
- not subject to control by others : self-governing
- not affiliated with a larger controlling unit
- not requiring or relying on something else : not contingent
- an independent conclusion
- not looking to others for one's opinions or for guidance in conduct
- not bound by or committed to a political party
- not requiring or relying on others (as for care or livelihood)
- independent of her parents
- being enough to free one from the necessity of working for a living
- a person of independent means
- showing a desire for freedom
- not determined by or capable of being deduced or derived from or expressed in terms of members (as axioms or equations) of the set under consideration
- having linear independence
- an independent set of vectors
- having the property that the joint probability (as of events or samples) or the joint probability density function (as of random variables) equals the product of the probabilities or probability density functions of separate occurrence
- of or relating to the Independents
- main
- neither deducible from nor incompatible with another statement
independent -n
- a sectarian of an English religious movement for congregational autonomy originating in the late 16th century, giving rise to Congregationalists, Baptists, and Friends, and forming one of the major political groupings of the period of Cromwell
- one that is independent
- one that is not bound by or definitively committed to a political party
independent assortment -n
- formation of random combinations of chromosomes in meiosis and of genes on different pairs of homologous chromosomes by the passage according to the laws of probability of one of each diploid pair of homologous chromosomes into each gamete independently of each other pair
independent variable -n
- a mathematical variable that is independent of the other variables in an expression or function and whose value determines one or more of the values of the other variables
indepth [(')in-'depth] -adj
- comprehensive, thorough
in·de·scrib·able [,in-di-'skrī-bə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- that cannot be described
- an indescribable sensation
- surpassing description
in·de·struc·ti·ble [-'strək-tə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- incapable of being destroyed, ruined, or rendered ineffective
in·de·ter·min·able [,in-di-'tərm-nə-bəl, -'tər-mə-] -adj, adv
- incapable of being definitely decided or settled
- incapable of being definitely fixed or ascertained
in·de·ter·mi·na·cy [-nə-sē] -n
- the quality or state of being indeterminate
indeterminacy principle -n
- uncertainty principle
in·de·ter·mi·nate [,in-di-'tərm-nət, -'tər-mə-] -adj, adv, n
- not definitely or precisely determined or fixed : vague
- not known in advance
- not leading to a definite end or result
- having an infinite number of solutions
- a system of indeterminate equations
- being one of the seven undefined mathematical expressions
- characterized by sequential flowering from the lateral or basal buds to the central or uppermost buds
- characterized by growth in which the main stem continues to elongate indefinitely without being limited by a terminal inflorescence
in·de·ter·min·ism [-'tər-mə-,ni-zəm] -n, adj
- a theory that the will is free and that deliberate choice and actions are not determined by or predictable from antecedent causes
- a theory that holds that not every event has a cause
- the quality or state of being indeterminate
- unpredictability
in·dex ['in-,deks] -n
- a device (as the pointer on a scale or the gnomon of a sundial) that serves to indicate a value or quantity
- something (as a physical feature or a mode of expression) that leads one to a particular fact or conclusion : indication
- : a list (as of bibliographical information or citations to a body of literature) arranged usu. in alphabetical order of some specified datum (as author, subject, or keyword): as
- a list of items (as topics or names) treated in a printed work that gives for each item the page number where it may be found
- thumb index
- a bibliographical analysis of groups of publications that is usu. published periodically
- a list of publicly traded companies and their stock prices
- a list of restricted or prohibited material
- a formerly published list of books the reading of which was prohibited or restricted for Roman Catholics by the church authorities
- a number or symbol or expression (as an exponent) associated with another to indicate a mathematical operation to be performed or to indicate use or position in an arrangement
- 3 is the index of the expression 5 to indicate the cube root of 5
- a character used to direct attention to a note or paragraph called also fist
- a number (as a ratio) derived from a series of observations and used as an indicator or measure
- index number
- the ratio of one dimension of a thing (as an anatomical structure) to another dimension
index -vt, n
- to provide with an index
- to list in an index
- all persons and places mentioned are carefully index ed
- to serve as an index of
- to regulate (as wages, prices, or interest rates) by indexation
- to index something
in·dex·ation [,in-dek-'sā-shən] -n
- a system of economic control in which certain variables (as wages and interest) are tied to a cost-of-living index so that both rise or fall at the same rate and the detrimental effect of inflation is theoretically eliminated
index finger -n
- the finger next to the thumb called also forefinger
index fossil -n
- a fossil usu. with a narrow time range and wide spatial distribution that is used in the identification of related geologic formations
in·dex·i·cal [(,)in-'dek-si-kəl] -adj
- of or relating to an index
- varying in reference with the individual speaker
- the indexical words I, here, now
- associated with or identifying an individual speaker
- indexical features of speech
indexical -n
- an indexical word, sign, or feature
indexing -n
- indexation
index number -n
- a number used to indicate change in magnitude (as of cost or price) as compared with the magnitude at some specified time usu. taken as 100
index of refraction
- refractive index
In·dia ['in-dē-ə]
- a communications code word for the letter i
india ink -n
- a solid black pigment (as specially prepared lampblack) used in drawing and lettering
- a fluid ink consisting usu. of a fine suspension of india ink in a liquid
In·dia·man ['in-dē-ə-mən] -n
- a merchant ship formerly used in trade with India
- a large sailing ship used in this trade
In·di·an ['in-dē-ən, dial -jən or -din] -n, adj
- a native or inhabitant of India or of the East Indies
- a person of Indian descent
- american indian
- one of the native languages of American Indians
Indian agent -n
- an official representative of the U.S. federal government to American Indian tribes esp. on reservations
Indian club -n
- a usu. wooden club shaped like a large bottle or tenpin that is swung for gymnastic exercise
Indian corn -n
- a tall widely cultivated American cereal grass ( Zea mays) bearing seeds on elongated ears
- the ears of Indian corn
- its edible seeds
Indian elephant -n
- elephant
Indian file -n, adv
- single file
Indian giver -n
- a person who gives something to another and then takes it back or expects an equivalent in return
Indian grass -n
- a tall perennial No. American grass ( Sorghastrum nutans) with long flat leaves and narrow feathery golden-brown panicles
Indian hemp -n
- a No. American dogbane ( Apocynum cannabinum) with milky juice, tough fibrous bark, and an emetic and cathartic root
- hemp
In·di·an·ism ['in-dē-ə-,ni-zəm] -n, adj or n
- the qualities or culture distinctive of American Indians
- policy designed to further the interests or culture of American Indians
In·di·an·ize ['in-dē-ə-,nīz] -vt, n
- to cause to acquire or conform to the characteristics, culture, or usage of American Indians or of India
- to bring (as a region) under the cultural or political influence or control of India
Indian licorice -n
- rosary pea
Indian meal -n
- cornmeal
Indian paintbrush -n
- any of a genus ( Castilleja) of herbaceous plants of the snapdragon family that have brightly colored bracts called also painted cup
- orange hawkweed
Indian pipe -n
- a waxy white saprophytic herb ( Monotropa unifloraof the family Monotropaceae, the Indian-pipe family) of Asia and No. America with leaves reduced to scales and that turns black in drying
Indian pudding -n
- a baked pudding made chiefly of cornmeal, milk, and molasses
Indian red -n
- any of various usu. dark red pigments consisting chiefly of iron oxide
- a strong or moderate reddish brown
Indian sign -n
- hex, spell
Indian summer -n
- a period of warm or mild weather in late autumn or early winter
- a happy or flourishing period occurring toward the end of something
- the crowning performance of the Indian summer of her career -- Octavio Roca
Indian tobacco -n
- a poisonous No. American annual lobelia ( Lobelia inflata) with small blue or white flowers
- a wild tobacco ( Nicotiana bigeloviisyn. N. quadrivalvis) found in dry valleys from southern California to southern Oregon
In·di·anwres·tle ['in-dē-ən-,re-səl, -,ra-] -vi
- to engage in Indian wrestling
Indian wrestling -n
- wrestling in which two people lie side by side on their backs in reversed position locking their near arms and raising and locking the corresponding legs and attempt to force each other's leg down and turn the other wrestler facedown
- wrestling in which two people stand face to face gripping usu. their right hands and setting the outsides of the corresponding feet together and attempt to force each other off balance
- arm wrestling
India paper -n
- a thin absorbent paper used esp. for proving inked intaglio surfaces (as steel engravings)
- a thin tough opaque printing paper
india rubber -n
- rubber
In·dic ['in-dik] -adj, n
- of or relating to the subcontinent of India : indian
- of, relating to, or constituting the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages
in·di·can ['in-də-,kan] -n
- an indigo-forming substance C 8H 7NO 4S found as a salt in urine and other animal fluids
- its potassium salt C 8H 6KNO 4S
- a glucoside C 14H 17NO 6occurring esp. in the indigo plant and being a source of natural indigo
in·di·cant ['in-di-kənt] -n
- something that serves to indicate
in·di·cate ['in-də-,kāt] -vt
- to point out or point to
- to be a sign, symptom, or index of
- the high fever indicate s a serious condition
- to demonstrate or suggest the necessity or advisability of
- indicated the need for a new school
- to state or express briefly
- indicated a desire to cooperate
in·di·ca·tion [,in-də-'kā-shən] -n, adj
- something that serves to indicate
- something that is indicated as advisable or necessary
- the action of indicating
in·dic·a·tive [in-'di-kə-tiv] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or constituting a verb form or set of verb forms that represents the denoted act or state as an objective fact
- serving to indicate
- actions indicative of fear
indicative -n
- the indicative mood of a language
- a form in the indicative mood
in·di·ca·tor ['in-də-,kā-tər] -n, adj
- : one that indicates: as
- an index hand (as on a dial) : pointer
- gauge , dial
- an instrument for automatically making a diagram that indicates the pressure in and volume of the working fluid of an engine throughout the cycle
- a substance (as litmus) used to show visually (as by change of color) the condition of a solution with respect to the presence of a particular material (as a free acid or alkali)
- tracer
- an organism or ecological community so strictly associated with particular environmental conditions that its presence is indicative of the existence of these conditions
- any of a group of statistical values (as level of employment) that taken together give an indication of the health of the economy
indices ['in-,deks] -n
(variant of index)
- a device (as the pointer on a scale or the gnomon of a sundial) that serves to indicate a value or quantity
- something (as a physical feature or a mode of expression) that leads one to a particular fact or conclusion : indication
- : a list (as of bibliographical information or citations to a body of literature) arranged usu. in alphabetical order of some specified datum (as author, subject, or keyword): as
- a list of items (as topics or names) treated in a printed work that gives for each item the page number where it may be found
- thumb index
- a bibliographical analysis of groups of publications that is usu. published periodically
- a list of publicly traded companies and their stock prices
- a list of restricted or prohibited material
- a formerly published list of books the reading of which was prohibited or restricted for Roman Catholics by the church authorities
- a number or symbol or expression (as an exponent) associated with another to indicate a mathematical operation to be performed or to indicate use or position in an arrangement
- 3 is the index of the expression 5 to indicate the cube root of 5
- a character used to direct attention to a note or paragraph called also fist
- a number (as a ratio) derived from a series of observations and used as an indicator or measure
- index number
- the ratio of one dimension of a thing (as an anatomical structure) to another dimension
in·di·cia [in-'di-sh(ē-)ə] -n pl
- distinctive marks : indications
- postal markings often imprinted on mail or on labels to be affixed to mail
in·dict [in-'dīt] -vt, n
- to charge with a fault or offense : criticize, accuse
- to charge with a crime by the finding or presentment of a jury (as a grand jury) in due form of law
in·dict·able [-'dī-tə-bəl] -adj
- subject to being indicted : liable to indictment
- making one liable to indictment
in·dic·tion [in-'dik-shən] -n
- a 15-year cycle used as a chronological unit in several ancient and medieval systems
in·dict·ment [in-'dīt-mənt] -n
- the action or the legal process of indicting
- the state of being indicted
- a formal written statement framed by a prosecuting authority and found by a jury (as a grand jury) charging a person with an offense
- an expression of strong disapproval
- an indictment of government policy on immigrants
in·die ['in-dē] -n, adj
- one that is independent
- an unaffiliated record or motion-picture production company
- something (as a record or film) produced by an indie
in·dif·fer·ence [in-'di-fərn(t)s, -f(ə-)rən(t)s] -n
- the quality, state, or fact of being indifferent
- lack of difference or distinction between two or more things
- absence of compulsion to or toward one thing or another
in·dif·fer·en·cy [-fərn(t)-sē, -f(ə-)rən(t)-sē] -n
- indifference
in·dif·fer·ent [in-'di-fərnt, -f(ə-)rənt] -adj, adv
- marked by impartiality : unbiased
- that does not matter one way or the other
- of no importance or value one way or the other
- marked by no special liking for or dislike of something
- indifferent about which task he was given
- marked by a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern for something : apathetic
- indifferent to suffering and poverty
- being neither excessive nor inadequate : moderate
- hills of indifferent size
- being neither good nor bad : mediocre
- being neither right nor wrong
- characterized by lack of active quality : neutral
- not differentiated
- indifferent tissues of the human body
- capable of development in more than one direction
- not yet embryologically determined
in·dif·fer·ent·ism [-fərn-,ti-zəm, -f(ə-)rən-] -n
- indifference
- belief that all religions are equally valid
in·di·gence ['in-di-jən(t)s] -n
- a level of poverty in which real hardship and deprivation are suffered and comforts of life are wholly lacking
in·di·gene ['in-də-,jēn] -n
- native
in·dig·e·nize [in-'di-jə-,nīz] -vt, n
- to cause to have indigenous characteristics or personnel
- the former colony began to indigenize its businesses
in·dig·e·nous [in-'di-jə-nəs] -adj, adv, n
- having originated in and being produced, growing, living, or occurring naturally in a particular region or environment
- innate, inborn
in·di·gent ['in-di-jənt] -adj, n
- suffering from indigence : impoverished
- deficient
- totally lacking in something specified
in·di·gest·ed [,in-(,)dī-'jes-təd, -də-] -adj
- not carefully thought out or arranged : formless
in·di·gest·ible [-'jes-tə-bəl] -adj, n
- not digestible : not easily digested
in·di·ges·tion [-'jes-chən, -'jesh-] -n
- inability to digest or difficulty in digesting something
- a case or attack of indigestion marked esp. by a burning sensation or discomfort in the upper abdomen
in·dign [in-'dīn] -adj
- unworthy, undeserving
- unbecoming, disgraceful
in·dig·nant [in-'dig-nənt] -adj, adv
- filled with or marked by indignation
- became indignant at the accusation
in·dig·na·tion [,in-dig-'nā-shən] -n
- anger aroused by something unjust, unworthy, or mean
in·dig·ni·ty [in-'dig-nə-tē] -n
- an act that offends against a person's dignity or self-respect : insult
- humiliating treatment
- lack or loss of dignity or honor
in·di·go ['in-di-,gō] -n
- a blue vat dye obtained from plants (as indigo plants)
- the principal coloring matter C 16H 10N 2O 2of natural indigo usu. synthesized as a blue powder with a coppery luster
- indigo plant
- a deep reddish blue
indigo bunting -n
- a small finch ( Passerina cyaneaof the family Cardinalidae) chiefly of eastern No. America of which the male is largely deep blue in spring and summer
indigo plant -n
- a plant that yields indigo
- any of a genus ( Indigofera) of leguminous herbs
indigo snake -n
- a very large blue-black or brownish colubrid snake ( Drymarchon corais) of the southeastern U.S. and Texas to Argentina called also gopher snake
in·di·go·tin [in-'di-gə-tən, ,in-di-'gō-tᵊn] -n
- indigo
in·din·a·vir [(,)in-'di-nə-,vir] -n
- a protease inhibitor C 36H 47N 5O 4used in the form of its sulfate in combination with antiretroviral drugs (as AZT) to treat HIV infection
in·di·rect [,in-də-'rekt, -(,)dī-] -adj, adv, n
- : not direct: as
- deviating from a direct line or course : roundabout
- not going straight to the point
- being or involving proof of a proposition or theorem by demonstration that its negation leads to an absurdity or contradiction
- not straightforward and open : deceitful
- not directly aimed at or achieved
- stating what a real or supposed original speaker said with changes in wording that conform the statement grammatically to the sentence in which it is included
- not effected by the action of the people or the electorate
- indirect government representation
indirect cost -n
- a cost that is not identifiable with a specific product, function, or activity
indirect evidence -n
- evidence that establishes immediately collateral facts from which the main fact may be inferred : circumstantial evidence
in·di·rec·tion [,in-də-'rek-shən, -(,)dī-] -n
- indirect action or procedure
- lack of direction : aimlessness
- lack of straightforwardness and openness : deceitfulness
- something (as an act or statement) marked by lack of straightforwardness
- hated diplomatic indirection s -- Rev. of Reviews
indirect lighting -n
- lighting in which the light emitted by a source is diffusely reflected (as by the ceiling)
indirect object -n
- a grammatical object representing the secondary goal of the action of its verb (as herin I gave her the book)
in·dis·cern·ible [,in-di-'sər-nə-bəl, -'zər-] -adj
- incapable of being discerned : not recognizable as distinct
in·dis·ci·plin·able [(,)in-,di-sə-'pli-nə-bəl; -'di-sə-plə-] -adj
- not subject to or capable of being disciplined
in·dis·ci·pline [(,)in-'di-sə-plən] -n, adj
- lack of discipline
in·dis·cov·er·able [,in-dis-'kəv-rə-bəl, -'kə-və-] -adj
- not discoverable
in·dis·creet [,in-di-'skrēt] -adj, adv, n
- not discreet : imprudent
in·dis·cre·tion [,in-dis-'kre-shən] -n
- lack of discretion : imprudence
- something (as an act or remark) marked by lack of discretion
- an act at variance with the accepted morality of a society
- resigned because of financial indiscretion s
in·dis·crim·i·nate [,in-dis-'krim-nət, -'kri-mə-] -adj, adv, n
- not marked by careful distinction : deficient in discrimination and discernment
- indiscriminate reading habits
- indiscriminate mass destruction
- haphazard, random
- indiscriminate application of a law
- promiscuous, unrestrained
- indiscriminate sexual behavior
- heterogeneous, motley
- an indiscriminate collection
in·dis·crim·i·nat·ing [-'kri-mə-,nā-tiŋ] -adj, adv
- not discriminating
in·dis·crim·i·na·tion [-,kri-mə-'nā-shən] -n
- lack of discrimination
in·dis·pens·able [,in-di-'spen(t)-sə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- not subject to being set aside or neglected
- an indispensable obligation
- absolutely necessary : essential
- an indispensable member of the staff
in·dis·pose [,in-di-'spōz] -vt
- to make unfit : disqualify
- to make averse : disincline
- to cause to be in poor physical health
in·dis·posed [-'spōzd] -adj
- slightly ill
- averse
in·dis·po·si·tion [(,)in-,dis-pə-'zi-shən] -n
- : the condition of being indisposed:
- disinclination
- a usu. slight illness
in·dis·put·able [,in-di-'spyü-tə-bəl, (,)in-'dis-pyə-] -adj, n, adv
- not disputable : unquestionable
in·dis·so·cia·ble [,in-di-'sō-sh(ē-)ə-bəl, -sē-ə-] -adj, adv
- not dissociated : inseparable
in·dis·sol·u·ble [,in-di-'säl-yə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- not dissoluble
- incapable of being annulled, undone, or broken : permanent
in·dis·tinct [,in-di-'stiŋ(k)t] -adj, adv, n
- : not distinct: as
- not sharply outlined or separable : blurred
- indistinct figures in the fog
- faint, dim
- an indistinct light in the distance
- not clearly recognizable or understandable : uncertain
in·dis·tinc·tive [-'stiŋ(k)-tiv] -adj
- lacking distinctive qualities
in·dis·tin·guish·able [,in-di-'stiŋ-gwi-shə-bəl, -'stiŋ-wi-] -adj, n, adv
- : not distinguishable: as
- indeterminate in shape or structure
- indistinguishable forms in the mist
- not clearly recognizable or understandable
- indistinguishable differences
- lacking identifying or individualizing qualities
- seemingly indistinguishable alternatives
in·dite [in-'dīt] -vt, n
- make up, compose
- to give literary or formal expression to
- to put down in writing
- dictate
in·di·um ['in-dē-əm] -n
- a silvery malleable fusible chiefly trivalent metallic element that occurs esp. in sphalerite ores and is used esp. as a plating material, in alloys, and in electronics
indium antimonide -n
- a synthetic compound InSb of indium and antimony that is a semiconducting and photosensitive material and is used esp. in infrared photodetectors
indiv -abbr
- individual
in·di·vid·u·al [,in-də-'vij-wəl, -'vi-jə-wəl, -'vi-jəl, -'vi-jü-əl] -adj, adv
- inseparable
- of, relating to, or distinctively associated with an individual
- being an individual or existing as an indivisible whole
- intended for one person
- existing as a distinct entity : separate
- having marked individuality
individual -n
- : a particular being or thing as distinguished from a class, species, or collection: as
- a single human being as contrasted with a social group or institution
- a teacher who works with individual s
- a single organism as distinguished from a group
- a particular person
- are you the individual I spoke with on the telephone?
- an indivisible entity
- the reference of a name or variable of the lowest logical type in a calculus
in·di·vid·u·al·ise [-'vij-wə-,līz, -'vi-jə-wə-, -'vi-jə-,līz] -vt, n
(variant of individualize)
- to make individual in character
- to treat or notice individually : particularize
- to adapt to the needs or special circumstances of an individual
- individualize teaching according to student ability
in·di·vid·u·al·ism [,in-də-'vij-wə-,li-zəm, -'vi-jə-wə-, -'vi-jə-,li-] -n
- a doctrine that the interests of the individual are or ought to be ethically paramount
- conduct guided by such a doctrine
- the conception that all values, rights, and duties originate in individuals
- a theory maintaining the political and economic independence of the individual and stressing individual initiative, action, and interests
- conduct or practice guided by such a theory
- individuality
- an individual peculiarity : idiosyncrasy
in·di·vid·u·al·ist [-list] -n, adj, adv
- one that pursues a markedly independent course in thought or action
- one that advocates or practices individualism
in·di·vid·u·al·i·ty [-,vi-jə-'wa-lə-tē] -n
- total character peculiar to and distinguishing an individual from others
- personality
- the quality or state of being indivisible
- separate or distinct existence
- individual, person
in·di·vid·u·al·ize [-'vij-wə-,līz, -'vi-jə-wə-, -'vi-jə-,līz] -vt, n
- to make individual in character
- to treat or notice individually : particularize
- to adapt to the needs or special circumstances of an individual
- individualize teaching according to student ability
individual medley -n
- a swimming race in which each contestant swims each part of the course with a different stroke
individual retirement account -n
- ira
in·di·vid·u·ate [,in-də-'vi-jə-,wāt] -vt
- to give individuality to
- to form into a distinct entity
in·di·vid·u·a·tion [-,vi-jə-'wā-shən] -n
- : the act or process of individuating: as
- the development of the individual from the universal
- the determination of the individual in the general
- the process by which individuals in society become differentiated from one another
- regional differentiation along a primary embryonic axis
- the state of being individuated
- individuality
in·di·vis·i·ble [,in-də-'vi-zə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- not divisible
indn -abbr
- indication
Indo- -comb form
- India or the East Indies
- Indo-European
In·doAr·y·an [,in-dō-'er-ē-ən, -'är-yən] -n, adj
- a member of one of the peoples of the Indian subcontinent speaking an Indo-European language
- one of the early Indo-European invaders of southern Asia
- a branch of the Indo-European language family that includes Hindi, Bengali, Punjabi, and other languages spoken primarily in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka
In·doChi·nese [-,chī-'nēz, -'nēs] -n, adj
- a native or inhabitant of Indochina
- sino-tibetan
in·doc·ile [(,)in-'dä-səl also -,sī(-ə)l, esp Brit -'dō-,sīl] -adj, n
- unwilling or indisposed to be taught or disciplined : intractable
in·doc·tri·nate [in-'däk-trə-,nāt] -vt, n
- to instruct esp. in fundamentals or rudiments : teach
- to imbue with a usu. partisan or sectarian opinion, point of view, or principle
In·doEu·ro·pe·an [,in-dō-,yu̇r-ə-'pē-ən] -adj
- of, relating to, or constituting the Indo-European languages
IndoEuropean -n
- a member of the people speaking an unrecorded prehistoric language from which the Indo-European languages are descended
- this language
- indo-european languages
In·doEu·ro·pe·an·ist [-,yu̇r-ə-'pē-ə-nist] -n
- a specialist in Indo-European linguistics
IndoEuropean languages -n pl
- a family of languages comprising those spoken in most of Europe and in the parts of the world colonized by Europeans since 1500 and also in Persia, the subcontinent of India, and some other parts of Asia
In·doGer·man·ic [,in-dō-jər-'ma-nik] -adj, n
- indo-european
In·doHit·tite [-'hi-,tīt] -n, adj
- a hypothetical parent language of Indo-European and Anatolian
- a language family including Indo-European and Anatolian
In·doIra·ni·an [-ir-'ā-nē-ən] -adj, n
- of, relating to, or constituting a subfamily of the Indo-European languages that consists of the Indo-Aryan and the Iranian branches
in·dole ['in-,dōl] -n
- a crystalline alkaloid compound C 8H 7N that is a decomposition product of proteins containing tryptophan, that can be made synthetically, and that is used in perfumes
- a derivative of indole
in·dole·ace·tic acid [,in-(,)dō-lə-'sē-tik-] -n
- a crystalline plant hormone C 10H 9NO 2that is a naturally occurring auxin promoting growth and rooting of plants
in·dole·bu·tyr·ic acid [,in-(,)dōl-byü-'tir-ik-] -n
- a crystalline acid C 12H 13NO 2similar to indoleacetic acid in its effects on plants
in·do·lence ['in-də-lən(t)s] -n
- inclination to laziness : sloth
in·do·lent [-lənt] -adj, adv
- causing little or no pain
- slow to develop or heal
- averse to activity, effort, or movement : habitually lazy
- conducive to or encouraging laziness
- exhibiting indolence
In·dol·o·gy [(,)in-'dä-lə-jē] -n
- the study of India and its people
in·do·meth·a·cin [,in-dō-'me-thə-sən] -n
- a nonsteroidal drug C 19H 16ClNO 4with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic properties used esp. to treat painful inflammatory conditions (as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis)
in·dom·i·ta·ble [in-'dä-mə-tə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- incapable of being subdued : unconquerable
Indon -abbr
- Indonesia; Indonesian
In·do·ne·sian [,in-də-'nē-zhən, -shən] -n, adj
- a native or inhabitant of the Malay Archipelago
- a native or inhabitant of the Republic of Indonesia
- the language based on Malay that is the national language of the Republic of Indonesia
in·door ['in-'dȯr] -adj
- of or relating to the interior of a building
- living, located, or carried on within a building
in·doors ['in-'dȯrz, (,)in-] -adv
- in or into a building
in·do·phe·nol [,in-dō-'fē-,nōl, -,nȯl, ,in-(,)dō-fi-'] -n
- any of various blue or green dyes
indorse [in-'dȯrs, en-] -vt, adj, n
(variant of endorse)
- to write on the back of
- to sign one's name as payee on the back of (a check) in order to obtain the cash or credit represented on the face
- to inscribe (one's signature) on a check, bill, or note
- to inscribe (as an official document) with a title or memorandum
- to make over to another (the value represented in a check, bill, or note) by inscribing one's name on the document
- to acknowledge receipt of (a sum specified) by one's signature on a document
- to approve openly
- to express support or approval of publicly and definitely
- endorse a mayoral candidate
- to recommend (as a product or service) usu. for financial compensation
- shoes endorsed by a pro basketball player
in·dox·yl [in-'däk-səl] -n
- a crystalline compound C 8H 7NO found in plants and animals or synthesized as a step in indigo manufacture
in·draft ['in-,draft, -,dräft] -n
- an inward flow or current (as of air or water)
- a drawing or pulling in
in·drawn ['in-,drȯn] -adj
- aloof, reserved
- drawn in
in·dri ['in-drē] -n
- a large diurnal black-and-white lemur ( Indri indri) of Madagascar that is about two feet long with a rudimentary tail
in·du·bi·ta·ble [(,)in-'dü-bə-tə-bəl, -'dyü-] -adj, n, adv
- too evident to be doubted : unquestionable
in·duce [in-'düs, -'dyüs] -vt
- to move by persuasion or influence
- to call forth or bring about by influence or stimulation
- effect, cause
- to cause the formation of
- to produce (as an electric current) by induction
- to determine by induction
- to infer from particulars
in·duce·ment [in-'düs-mənt, -'dyüs-] -n
- a motive or consideration that leads one to action or to additional or more effective actions
- the act or process of inducing
- matter presented by way of introduction or background to explain the principal allegations of a legal cause, plea, or defense
in·duc·er [-'dü-sər, -'dyü-] -n
- one that induces
- a substance that is capable of activating the transcription of a gene by combining with and inactivating a genetic repressor
in·duc·ible [in-'dü-sə-bəl, -'dyü-] -adj, n
- : capable of being induced: as
- formed by a cell in response to the presence of its substrate
- activated or undergoing expression only in the presence of a particular molecule
in·duct [in-'dəkt] -vt
- to put in formal possession (as of a benefice or office) : install
- was induct ed as president of the college
- to admit as a member
- induct ed into a scholastic society
- introduce, initiate
- to enroll for military training or service (as under a selective service act)
- lead, conduct
in·duc·tance [in-'dək-tən(t)s] -n
- a property of an electric circuit by which an electromotive force is induced in it by a variation of current either in the circuit itself or in a neighboring circuit
- the measure of this property that is equal to the ratio of the induced electromotive force to the rate of change of the inducing current
- a circuit or a device possessing inductance
in·duct·ee [(,)in-,dək-'tē, in-'dək-,] -n
- one who is inducted
in·duc·tion [in-'dək-shən] -n
- the act or process of inducting (as into office)
- an initial experience : initiation
- the formality by which a civilian is inducted into military service
- inference of a generalized conclusion from particular instances
- a conclusion arrived at by induction
- mathematical demonstration of the validity of a law concerning all the positive integers by proving that it holds for the integer 1 and that if it holds for an arbitrarily chosen positive integer k,it must hold for the integer k 1 called also mathematical induction
- a preface, prologue, or introductory scene esp. of an early English play
- the act of bringing forward or adducing (as facts or particulars)
- the act of causing or bringing on or about
- the process by which an electrical conductor becomes electrified when near a charged body, by which a magnetizable body becomes magnetized when in a magnetic field or in the magnetic flux set up by a magnetomotive force, or by which an electromotive force is produced in a circuit by varying the magnetic field linked with the circuit
- the inspiration of the fuel-air charge from the carburetor into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine
- the process by which the fate of embryonic cells is determined (as by the action of adjacent cells) and morphogenetic differentiation brought about
induction coil -n
- an apparatus for obtaining intermittent high voltage that consists of a primary coil through which the direct current flows, an interrupter, and a secondary coil of a larger number of turns in which the high voltage is induced
induction heating -n
- heating of material by means of an electric current that is caused to flow through the material or its container by electromagnetic induction
induction motor -n
- an alternating-current motor in which torque is produced by the reaction between a varying magnetic field generated in the stator and the current induced in the coils of the rotor
in·duc·tive [in-'dək-tiv] -adj, adv
- leading on : inducing
- of, relating to, or employing mathematical or logical induction
- of or relating to inductance or electrical induction
- introductory
- involving the action of an embryological organizer : tending to produce induction
in·duc·tor [in-'dək-tər] -n
- one that inducts
- a part of an electrical apparatus that acts upon another or is itself acted upon by induction
- reactor
- organizer
indue [in-'dü, -'dyü, en-] -vt
(variant of endue)
- provide, endow
- endued with the rights of a citizen
- imbue, transfuse
- a mummy again endued with animation -- Mary W. Shelley
- put on, don
in·dulge [in-'dəlj] -vb, n
- to give free rein to
- to take unrestrained pleasure in : gratify
- to yield to the desire of : humor
- please indulge me for a moment
- to treat with excessive leniency, generosity, or consideration
- to indulge oneself
in·dul·gence [in-'dəl-jən(t)s] -n
- remission of part or all of the temporal and esp. purgatorial punishment that according to Roman Catholicism is due for sins whose eternal punishment has been remitted and whose guilt has been pardoned (as through the sacrament of reconciliation)
- the act of indulging : the state of being indulgent
- an indulgent act
- an extension of time for payment or performance granted as a favor
- the act of indulging in something
- self-indulgence
- something indulged in
- walk off gastronomic indulgence s -- Barbara L. Michaels
in·dul·gent [in-'dəl-jənt] -adj, adv
- indulging or characterized by indulgence
- lenient
in·dult ['in-,dəlt, in-'] -n
- a special often temporary dispensation granted in the Roman Catholic Church
in·du·rate ['in-də-rət, -dyə-; in-'du̇r-ət, -'dyu̇r-] -adj
- physically or morally hardened
- to make unfeeling, stubborn, or obdurate
- to make hardy : inure
- to make hard
- great heat indurate s clay
- to establish firmly : confirm
- to grow hard : harden
- to become established
indurated -adj
- having become firm or hard esp. by increase of fibrous elements
in·du·ra·tion [,in-də-'rā-shən, -dyə-] -n, adj
- the process of or condition produced by growing hard
- sclerosis esp. when associated with inflammation
indus -abbr
- industrial; industry
in·du·si·um [in-'dü-zē-əm, -'dyü-, -zhē-] -n
- : an investing outgrowth or membrane
- an outgrowth of a fern frond that covers the sori
in·dus·tri·al [in-'dəs-trē-əl] -adj, adv
- of or relating to industry
- derived from human industry
- engaged in industry
- used in or developed for use in industry
- heavy-duty
- characterized by highly developed industries
industrial -n
- one that is employed in industry
- a company engaged in industrial production or service
- a stock or bond issued by an industrial corporation or enterprise
industrial action -n
- job action
industrial archaeology -n
- the study of the buildings, machinery, and equipment of the industrial revolution
industrial arts -n pl but sing in constr
- a subject taught in elementary and secondary schools that aims at developing manual skill and familiarity with tools and machines
industrial engineering -n
- engineering that deals with the design, improvement, and installation of integrated systems (as of people, materials, and energy) in industry
in·dus·tri·al·ise [in-'dəs-trē-ə-,līz] -vb, n
(variant of industrialize)
- to make industrial
- industrialize an agricultural region
- to become industrial
in·dus·tri·al·ism [in-'dəs-trē-ə-,li-zəm] -n
- social organization in which industries and esp. large-scale industries are dominant
in·dus·tri·al·ist [-list] -n
- one owning or engaged in the management of an industry : manufacturer
in·dus·tri·al·ize [in-'dəs-trē-ə-,līz] -vb, n
- to make industrial
- industrialize an agricultural region
- to become industrial
industrial melanism -n
- genetically determined melanism as a population phenomenon esp. in moths in which the proportion of dark individuals tends to increase due to differential predation esp. by birds which more easily find and eat lighter-colored individuals in habitats darkened by industrial pollution
industrial psychology -n
- the application of the findings and methods of experimental, clinical, and social psychology to industrial concerns
industrial relations -n pl
- the dealings or relationships of a usu. large business or industrial enterprise with its own workers, with labor in general, with governmental agencies, or with the public
industrial revolution -n
- a rapid major change in an economy (as in England in the late 18th century) marked by the general introduction of power-driven machinery or by an important change in the prevailing types and methods of use of such machines
industrial school -n
- a school specializing in the teaching of industrial arts
- one for juvenile delinquents
industrial sociology -n
- sociological analysis directed at institutions and social relationships within and largely controlled or affected by industry
in·dus·tri·alstrength [in-'dəs-trē-əl-'streŋ(k)th, -'stren(t)th] -adj
- suitable for industrial use
- marked by more than usual power, durability, or intensity
- an industrialstrength voice
industrial union -n
- a labor union open to workers in an industry irrespective of their occupation or craft
in·dus·tri·ous [in-'dəs-trē-əs] -adj, adv, n
- skillful, ingenious
- constantly, regularly, or habitually active or occupied : diligent
in·dus·try ['in-(,)dəs-trē] -n
- diligence in an employment or pursuit
- steady or habitual effort
- systematic labor esp. for some useful purpose or the creation of something of value
- a department or branch of a craft, art, business, or manufacture
- one that employs a large personnel and capital esp. in manufacturing
- a distinct group of productive or profit-making enterprises
- manufacturing activity as a whole
- work devoted to the study of a particular subject or author
in·dwell [in-'dwel, 'in-,] -vi, n
- to exist as an inner activating spirit, force, or principle
- to exist within as an activating spirit, force, or principle
in·dwell·ing ['in-,dwe-liŋ] -adj
- being an inner activating or guiding force
- left within a bodily organ or passage esp. to promote drainage used of an implanted tube (as a catheter)
In·dy car ['in-dē-] -n
- a single-seat open-cockpit racing car with the engine in the rear
in·ebri·ant [i-'nē-brē-ənt] -n
- intoxicant
in·ebri·ate [i-'nē-brē-,āt] -vt, n
- to exhilarate or stupefy as if by liquor
- to make drunk : intoxicate
- affected by alcohol : drunk
- addicted to excessive drinking
- one who is drunk
- drunkard
in·ebri·at·ed [-brē-,ā-təd] -adj
- exhilarated or confused by or as if by alcohol : intoxicated
in·ebri·ety [,i-ni-'brī-ə-tē] -n
- the state of being inebriated : drunkenness
in·ed·i·ble [(,)i-'ne-də-bəl] -adj
- not fit to be eaten
in·ed·u·ca·ble [(,)i-'ne-jə-kə-bəl] -adj, n
- incapable of being educated
in·ef·fa·ble [(,)i-'ne-fə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- incapable of being expressed in words : indescribable
- unspeakable
- not to be uttered : taboo
- the ineffable name of Jehovah
in·ef·face·able [,i-nə-'fā-sə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- not effaceable : ineradicable
in·ef·fec·tive [,i-nə-'fek-tiv] -adj, adv, n
- not producing an intended effect : ineffectual
- not capable of performing efficiently or as expected : incapable
in·ef·fec·tu·al [,i-nə-'fek-chə(-wə)l, -'feksh-wəl] -adj, n, adv
- not producing the proper or intended effect : futile
- ineffective
in·ef·fi·ca·cious [(,)i-,ne-fə-'kā-shəs] -adj, adv, n
- lacking the power to produce a desired effect : ineffective
in·ef·fi·ca·cy [(,)i-'ne-fi-kə-sē] -n
- lack of power to produce a desired effect
in·ef·fi·cien·cy [,i-nə-'fi-shən(t)-sē] -n
- the quality or state of being inefficient
- something that is inefficient
in·ef·fi·cient [-'fi-shənt] -adj, n, adv
- : not efficient: as
- not producing the effect intended or desired
- wasteful of time or energy
- inefficient operating procedures
- incapable, incompetent
in·e·gal·i·tar·i·an [,i-ni-,ga-lə-'ter-ē-ən] -adj
- marked by disparity in social and economic standing
in·elas·tic [,i-nə-'las-tik] -adj, n
- : not elastic: as
- slow to react or respond to changing conditions
- inflexible, unyielding
inelastic collision -n
- a collision in which part of the kinetic energy of the colliding particles changes into another form of energy (as heat or radiation)
inelastic scattering -n
- a scattering of particles as the result of inelastic collision in which the total kinetic energy of the colliding particles changes
in·el·e·gance [(,)i-'ne-li-gən(t)s] -n
- lack of elegance
in·el·e·gant [-gənt] -adj, adv
- lacking in refinement, grace, or good taste
in·el·i·gi·ble [(,)i-'ne-lə-jə-bəl] -adj, n
- : not eligible: as
- not qualified for an office or position
- not permitted under football rules to catch a forward pass
in·el·o·quent [(,)i-'nə-lə-kwənt] -adj, adv
- not eloquent : having or showing a lack of eloquence
in·eluc·ta·ble [,i-ni-'lək-tə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- not to be avoided, changed, or resisted : inevitable
in·elud·ible [,i-ni-'lü-də-bəl] -adj
- inescapable
in·enar·ra·ble [,i-ni-'na-rə-bəl] -adj
- incapable of being narrated : indescribable
in·ept [i-'nept] -adj, adv, n
- lacking in fitness or aptitude : unfit
- lacking sense or reason : foolish
- not suitable to the time, place, or occasion : inappropriate often to an absurd degree
- generally incompetent : bungling
in·ep·ti·tude [(,)i-'nep-tə-,tüd, -,tyüd] -n
- the quality or state of being inept
- incompetence
in·equal·i·ty [,i-ni-'kwä-lə-tē] -n
- : the quality of being unequal or uneven: as
- lack of evenness
- social disparity
- disparity of distribution or opportunity
- the condition of being variable : changeableness
- an instance of being unequal
- a formal statement of inequality between two quantities usu. separated by a sign of inequality (as , , or signifying respectively is less than, is greater than,or is not equal to)
in·eq·ui·ta·ble [(,)i-'ne-kwə-tə-bəl] -adj, adv
- not equitable : unfair
- an inequitable distribution of funds
in·eq·ui·ty [(,)i-'ne-kwə-tē] -n
- injustice, unfairness
- an instance of injustice or unfairness
in·erad·i·ca·ble [,i-ni-'ra-di-kə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- incapable of being eradicated
in·er·ran·cy [(,)i-'ner-ən(t)-sē] -n
- exemption from error : infallibility
- the question of biblical inerrancy
in·er·rant [-ənt] -adj
- free from error
in·ert [i-'nərt] -adj, n, adv
- lacking the power to move
- very slow to move or act : sluggish
- deficient in active properties
- lacking a usual or anticipated chemical or biological action
inert gas -n
- noble gas
in·er·tia [i-'nər-shə, -shē-ə] -n, adj, adv
- a property of matter by which it remains at rest or in uniform motion in the same straight line unless acted upon by some external force
- an analogous property of other physical quantities (as electricity)
- indisposition to motion, exertion, or change : inertness
inertial guidance -n
- guidance (as of an aircraft or spacecraft) by means of self-contained automatically controlling devices that respond to inertial forces called also inertial navigation
in·es·cap·able [,i-nə-'skā-pə-bəl] -adj, adv
- incapable of being avoided, ignored, or denied : inevitable
in·es·sen·tial [,i-nə-'sen(t)-shəl] -adj, n
- having no essence
- not essential : unessential
in·es·ti·ma·ble [(,)i-'nes-tə-mə-bəl] -adj, adv
- incapable of being estimated or computed
- storms caused inestimable damage
- too valuable or excellent to be measured or appreciated
- has performed an inestimable service for his country
in·ev·i·ta·ble [i-'ne-və-tə-bəl] -adj, n
- incapable of being avoided or evaded
in·ev·i·ta·bly [-blē] -adv
- in an inevitable way
- as is to be expected
in·ex·act [,i-nig-'zakt] -adj, adv, n
- not precisely correct or true : inaccurate
- not rigorous and careful
in·ex·ac·ti·tude [(,)i-,nig-'zak-tə-,tüd, -,tyüd] -n
- lack of exactitude or precision
- an instance of inexactness
in ex·cel·sis [,in-ik-'sel-səs also -'chel-] -adv
- in the highest degree
in·ex·cus·able [,i-nik-'skyü-zə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- impossible to excuse or justify
in·ex·haust·ible [,i-nig-'zȯ-stə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- : not exhaustible: as
- incapable of being used up
- incapable of being wearied or worn out
in·ex·is·tence [,i-nig-'zis-tən(t)s] -n
- absence of existence : nonexistence
in·ex·is·tent [-tənt] -adj
- not having existence : nonexistent
in·ex·o·ra·ble [(,)i-'neks-rə-bəl, -'nek-sə-, -'neg-zə-rə-] -adj, n, adv
- not to be persuaded, moved, or stopped : relentless
in·ex·pe·di·ence [,i-nik-'spē-dē-ən(t)s] -n
- inexpediency
in·ex·pe·di·en·cy [-ən(t)-sē] -n
- the quality or fact of being inexpedient
in·ex·pe·di·ent [-ənt] -adj, adv
- not expedient : inadvisable
in·ex·pen·sive [,i-nik-'spen(t)-siv] -adj, adv, n
- reasonable in price : cheap
in·ex·pe·ri·ence [,i-nik-'spir-ē-ən(t)s] -n, adj
- lack of practical experience
- lack of knowledge of the ways of the world
in·ex·pert [(,)i-'nek-,spərt, ,i-nik-'] -adj, n, adv
- not expert : unskilled
in·ex·pi·a·ble [(,)i-'nek-spē-ə-bəl] -adj, adv
- not capable of being atoned for
- implacable, unappeasable
in·ex·plain·able [,i-nik-'splā-nə-bəl] -adj
- inexplicable
in·ex·pli·ca·ble [,i-nik-'spli-kə-bəl, (,)i-'nek-(,)spli-] -adj, n, adv
- incapable of being explained, interpreted, or accounted for
- an inexplicable disappearance
in·ex·plic·it [,i-nik-'spli-sət] -adj
- not explicit
in·ex·press·ible [-'spre-sə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- not capable of being expressed : indescribable
in·ex·pres·sive [-'spre-siv] -adj, adv, n
- inexpressible
- lacking expression or meaning
in·ex·pug·na·ble [,i-nik-'spəg-nə-bəl, -'spyü-nə-] -adj, n, adv
- incapable of being subdued or overthrown : impregnable
- stable, fixed
in·ex·pung·ible [,i-nik-'spən-jə-bəl] -adj
- incapable of being obliterated
in ex·ten·so [,in-ik-'sten(t)-(,)sō] -adv
- at full length
- the passage was quoted in extenso
in·ex·tin·guish·able [,i-nik-'stiŋ-gwi-shə-bəl, -'stiŋ-wi-] -adj, adv
- not extinguishable : unquenchable
- an inextinguishable flame
- an inextinguishable longing
in ex·tre·mis [,in-ik-'strē-məs, -'strā-] -adv
- in extreme circumstances
- at the point of death
in·ex·tri·ca·ble [,i-nik-'stri-kə-bəl, (,)i-'nek-(,)stri-] -adj, n, adv
- forming a maze or tangle from which it is impossible to get free
- incapable of being disentangled or untied
- not capable of being solved
inf -abbr
- infantry
- infinitive
INF -abbr
- intermediate range nuclear forces
in·fal·li·ble [(,)in-'fa-lə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- incapable of error : unerring
- not liable to mislead, deceive, or disappoint : certain
- incapable of error in defining doctrines touching faith or morals
in·fall·ing ['in-,fȯ-liŋ] -adj, n
- moving under the influence of gravity toward a celestial object (as a black hole)
in·fa·mous ['in-fə-məs] -adj, adv
- having a reputation of the worst kind : notoriously evil
- causing or bringing infamy : disgraceful
- convicted of an offense bringing infamy
in·fa·my [-mē] -n
- evil reputation brought about by something grossly criminal, shocking, or brutal
- an extreme and publicly known criminal or evil act
- the state of being infamous
in·fan·cy ['in-fən(t)-sē] -n
- early childhood
- a beginning or early period of existence
- the legal status of an infant
in·fant ['in-fənt] -n
- a child in the first period of life
- a person who is not of full age : minor
infant -adj
- intended for young children
- being in an early stage of development
- of, relating to, or being in infancy
in·fan·ta [in-'fan-tə, -'fän-] -n
- a daughter of a Spanish or Portuguese monarch
in·fan·te [in-'fan-tē, -'fän-(,)tā] -n
- a younger son of a Spanish or Portuguese monarch
in·fan·ti·cide [in-'fan-tə-,sīd] -n, adj
- the killing of an infant
- one who kills an infant
in·fan·tile ['in-fən-,tī(-ə)l, -tᵊl, -,tēl, -(,)til] -adj, n
- of or relating to infants or infancy
- suitable to or characteristic of an infant
- very immature
infantile paralysis -n
- poliomyelitis
in·fan·til·ism ['in-fən-,tī-,li-zəm, -tə-,li-; in-'fan-tə-,li-] -n
- retention of childish physical, mental, or emotional qualities in adult life
- failure to attain sexual maturity
- an act or expression that indicates lack of maturity
in·fan·til·ize ['in-fən-,tī-,līz, -fən-tə-,līz, in-'fan-tə-] -vt, n
- to make or keep infantile
- to treat as if infantile
in·fan·tine ['in-fən-,tīn, -,tēn] -adj
- infantile, childish
in·fan·try ['in-fən-trē] -n
- soldiers trained, armed, and equipped to fight on foot
- a branch of an army composed of these soldiers
- an infantry regiment or division
in·fan·try·man [-trē-mən] -n
- an infantry soldier
infant school -n
- a school for children aged five to seven or eight
in·farct ['in-,färkt, in-'] -n, adj
- an area of necrosis in a tissue or organ resulting from obstruction of the local circulation by a thrombus or embolus
in·fare ['in-,fer] -n
- a reception for a newly married couple
in·fat·u·ate [in-'fa-chə-wət, -chü-ət] -adj
- being in an infatuated state or condition
- to cause to be foolish : deprive of sound judgment
- to inspire with a foolish or extravagant love or admiration
in·fau·na ['in-,fȯ-nə, -,fä-] -n, adj
- benthic fauna living in the substrate and esp. in a soft sea bottom
in·fea·si·ble [(,)in-'fē-zə-bəl] -adj, n
- not feasible : impracticable
in·fect [in-'fekt] -vt, n
- to contaminate with a disease-producing substance or agent (as bacteria)
- to communicate a pathogen or a disease to
- to invade (an individual or organ) usu. by penetration
- to become transmitted and copied to (as a computer)
- contaminate, corrupt
- the inflated writing that infect s such stories
- to work upon or seize upon so as to induce sympathy, belief, or support
- trying to infect their salespeople with their enthusiasm
in·fec·tion [in-'fek-shən] -n
- the act or result of affecting injuriously
- an infective agent or material contaminated with an infective agent
- the state produced by the establishment of an infective agent in or on a suitable host
- a disease resulting from infection
- an act or process of infecting
- the establishment of a pathogen in its host after invasion
- the communication of emotions or qualities through example or contact
in·fec·tious [-shəs] -adj, adv, n
- capable of causing infection
- viruses and other infectious agents
- communicable by infection
- that corrupts or contaminates
- spreading or capable of spreading rapidly to others
- their enthusiasm was infectious
infectious hepatitis -n
- hepatitis a
infectious mononucleosis -n
- an acute infectious disease caused by the Epstein-Barr virus and characterized by fever, swelling of lymph nodes, and lymphocytosis
in·fec·tive [in-'fek-tiv] -adj, n
- producing or capable of producing infection
- affecting others : infectious
in·fe·lic·i·tous [,in-fi-'li-sə-təs] -adj, adv
- : not felicitous: as
- not appropriate or well-timed
- awkward, unfortunate
in·fe·lic·i·ty [-sə-tē] -n
- the quality or state of being infelicitous
- something (as a word or phrase) that is infelicitous
in·fer [in-'fər] -vb, adj, n
- to derive as a conclusion from facts or premises
- we see smoke and infer fire -- L. A. White
- guess, surmise
- your letter...allows me to infer that you are as well as ever -- O. W. Holmes 1935
- to involve as a normal outcome of thought
- to point out : indicate
- this doth infer the zeal I had to see him -- Shak.
- another survey...infer s that two-thirds of all present computer installations are not paying for themselves -- H. R. Chellman
- suggest, hint
- are you inferring I'm incompetent?
- to draw inferences
- men...have observed, inferred, and reasoned...to all kinds of results -- John Dewey
in·fer·ence ['in-f(ə-)rən(t)s, -fərn(t)s] -n
- : the act or process of inferring: as
- the act of passing from one proposition, statement, or judgment considered as true to another whose truth is believed to follow from that of the former
- the act of passing from statistical sample data to generalizations (as of the value of population parameters) usu. with calculated degrees of certainty
- something that is inferred
- a proposition arrived at by inference
- the premises and conclusion of a process of inferring
in·fer·en·tial [,in-fə-'ren(t)-shəl] -adj
- relating to, involving, or resembling inference
- deduced or deducible by inference
in·fer·en·tial·ly [-'ren(t)-sh(ə-)lē] -adv
- by way of inference : through inference
in·fe·ri·or [in-'fir-ē-ər] -adj, n, adv
- situated lower down : lower
- of low or lower degree or rank
- of poor quality : mediocre
- of little or less importance, value, or merit
- situated below another and esp. another similar superior part of an upright body
- situated in a relatively low posterior or ventral position in a quadrupedal body
- situated below another plant part or organ
- abaxial
- relating to or being a subscript
inferior conjunction -n
- a conjunction of an inferior planet with the sun in which the planet is aligned between the earth and the sun
inferiority complex -n
- an acute sense of personal inferiority often resulting either in timidity or through overcompensation in exaggerated aggressiveness
- a collective sense of cultural, regional, or national inferiority
inferior planet -n
- either of the planets Mercury and Venus whose orbits lie within that of the earth
in·fer·nal [in-'fər-nᵊl] -adj, adv
- of or relating to a nether world of the dead
- of or relating to hell
- hellish, diabolical
- damnable
infernal machine -n
- a machine or apparatus maliciously designed to explode and destroy life or property
- a concealed or disguised bomb
in·fer·no [in-'fər-(,)nō] -n
- a place or a state that resembles or suggests hell
- an intense fire : conflagration
in·fer·tile [(')in-'fər-tᵊl] -adj, n
- not fertile or productive
- incapable of or unsuccessful in achieving pregnancy
in·fest [in-'fest] -vt, n
- to spread or swarm in or over in a troublesome manner
- a slum infest ed with crime
- to live in or on as a parasite
in·fib·u·la·tion [(,)in-,fi-byə-'lā-shən] -n
- extreme female genital mutilation involving complete excision of the clitoris, labia minora, and most of the labia majora followed by stitching to close up most of the vagina
in·fi·del ['in-fə-dᵊl, -fə-,del] -n, adj
- one who is not a Christian or who opposes Christianity
- an unbeliever with respect to a particular religion
- one who acknowledges no religious belief
- a disbeliever in something specified or understood
in·fi·del·i·ty [,in-fə-'de-lə-tē, -(,)fī-] -n
- lack of belief in a religion
- unfaithfulness to a moral obligation : disloyalty
- marital unfaithfulness or an instance of it
in·field ['in-,fēld] -n
- a field near a farmhouse
- the area of a baseball field enclosed by the three bases and home plate
- the defensive positions comprising first base, second base, shortstop, and third base
- the players who play these positions
- the area enclosed by a racetrack or running track
in·field·er [-,fēl-dər] -n
- a baseball player who plays in the infield
infield hit -n
- a base hit on a ball that does not leave the infield
infield out -n
- a ground ball on which the batter is put out by an infielder
in·fight·ing ['in-,fī-tiŋ] -n, vi
- fighting or boxing at close quarters
- rough-and-tumble fighting
- prolonged and often bitter dissension or rivalry among members of a group or organization
in·fil·trate [in-'fil-,trāt, 'in-(,)] -vb, n, adj
- to cause (as a liquid) to permeate something by penetrating its pores or interstices
- to pass into or through (a substance) by filtering or permeating
- to pass (troops) singly or in small groups through gaps in the enemy line
- to enter or become established in gradually or unobtrusively usu. for subversive purposes
- the intelligence staff had been infiltrated by spies
- to enter, permeate, or pass through a substance or area by filtering or by insinuating gradually
in·fi·nite ['in-fə-nət] -adj, adv, n
- extending indefinitely : endless
- immeasurably or inconceivably great or extensive : inexhaustible
- subject to no limitation or external determination
- extending beyond, lying beyond, or being greater than any preassigned finite value however large
- infinite number of positive numbers
- extending to infinity
- characterized by an infinite number of elements or terms
infinite -n
- something that is infinite (as in extent, duration, or number)
in·fin·i·tes·i·mal [(,)in-,fi-nə-'te-sə-məl, -zə-məl] -n
- an infinitesimal quantity or variable
infinitesimal [-mə-lē] -adj, adv
- taking on values arbitrarily close to but greater than zero
- immeasurably or incalculably small
- an infinitesimal difference
infinitesimal calculus -n
- calculus
in·fin·i·ti·val [(,)in-,fi-nə-'tī-vəl] -adj
- relating to the infinitive
in·fin·i·tive [in-'fi-nə-tiv] -adj, adv
- formed with the infinitive
infinitive -n
- a verb form normally identical in English with the first person singular that performs some functions of a noun and at the same time displays some characteristics of a verb and that is used with to(as in I asked him to go) except with auxiliary and various other verbs (as in no one saw him leave)
in·fin·i·tude [in-'fi-nə-,tüd, -,tyüd] -n
- the quality or state of being infinite : infiniteness
- something that is infinite esp. in extent
- an infinite number or quantity
in·fin·i·ty [in-'fi-nə-tē] -n
- the quality of being infinite
- unlimited extent of time, space, or quantity : boundlessness
- an indefinitely great number or amount
- the limit of the value of a function or variable when it tends to become numerically larger than any preassigned finite number
- a part of a geometric magnitude that lies beyond any part whose distance from a given reference position is finite
- do parallel lines ever meet if they extend to infinity
- a transfinite number (as aleph-null)
- a distance so great that the rays of light from a point source at that distance may be regarded as parallel
infinity pool -n
- an outdoor swimming pool having an edge over which water flows into a trough but seems to flow to the horizon
in·firm [in-'fərm] -adj, adv
- of poor or deteriorated vitality
- feeble from age
- weak of mind, will, or character : irresolute, vacillating
- not solid or stable : insecure
in·fir·ma·ry [in-'fərm-rē, -'fər-mə-] -n
- a place where the infirm or sick are lodged for care and treatment
in·fir·mi·ty [in-'fər-mə-tē] -n
- the quality or state of being infirm
- the condition of being feeble : frailty
- disease, malady
- a personal failing : foible
- one of the besetting infirmities of living creatures is egotism -- A. J. Toynbee
in·fix ['in-,fiks, in-'] -vt, n
- to fasten or fix by piercing or thrusting in
- to impress firmly in the consciousness or disposition
- to insert (as a sound or letter) as an infix
- a derivational or inflectional affix appearing in the body of a word (as Sanskrit -n-in vindamiI know as contrasted with vidto know)
- characterized by placement of a binary operator between the operands
- a b is expressed in infix notation
infl -abbr
- influenced
in fla·gran·te [,in-flə-,grän-tē, -,gran-] -adv
- in flagrante delicto
in flagrante de·lic·to [-di-'lik-(,)tō] -adv
- in the very act of committing a misdeed : red-handed
- in the midst of sexual activity
in·flame [in-'flām] -vb, n
- to excite to excessive or uncontrollable action or feeling
- to make angry
- to make more heated or violent : intensify
- insults served only to inflame the feud
- to set on fire : kindle
- to cause to redden or grow hot from anger or excitement
- a face inflamed with passion
- to cause inflammation in (bodily tissue)
- to burst into flame
- to become excited or angered
- to become affected with inflammation
in·flam·ma·ble [in-'fla-mə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- flammable
- easily inflamed, excited, or angered : irascible
in·flam·ma·tion [,in-flə-'mā-shən] -n
- a local response to cellular injury that is marked by capillary dilatation, leukocytic infiltration, redness, heat, and pain and that serves as a mechanism initiating the elimination of noxious agents and of damaged tissue
- the act of inflaming : the state of being inflamed
in·flam·ma·to·ry [in-'fla-mə-,tȯr-ē] -adj, adv
- tending to excite anger, disorder, or tumult : seditious
- tending to inflame or excite the senses
- accompanied by or tending to cause inflammation
inflammatory bowel disease -n
- : either of two inflammatory diseases of the bowel:
- crohn's disease
- ulcerative colitis
in·flat·able [in-'flā-tə-bəl] -adj, n
- capable of being inflated
in·flate [in-'flāt] -vb, n
- to swell or distend with air or gas
- to puff up : elate
- to expand or increase abnormally or imprudently
- to become inflated
inflated -adj
- elaborated or heightened by artificial or empty means
- an inflated style of writing
- distended with air or gas
- expanded to an abnormal or unjustifiable volume or level
- being hollow and enlarged or distended
in·fla·tion [in-'flā-shən] -n
- : an act of inflating : a state of being inflated: as
- distension
- a hypothetical extremely brief period of very rapid expansion of the universe immediately following the big bang
- empty pretentiousness : pomposity
- a continuing rise in the general price level usu. attributed to an increase in the volume of money and credit relative to available goods and services
in·fla·tion·ary [-shə-,ner-ē] -adj
- of, characterized by, or productive of inflation
inflationary spiral -n
- a continuous rise in prices that is sustained by the tendency of wage increases and cost increases to react on each other
in·fla·tion·ism [in-'flā-shə-,ni-zəm] -n, n or adj
- the policy of economic inflation
in·flect [in-'flekt] -vb, adj
- to turn from a direct line or course : curve
- to vary (a word) by inflection : decline, conjugate
- to change or vary the pitch of (as the voice)
- to affect or alter noticeably : influence
- an approach inflect ed by feminism
- to become modified by inflection
in·flec·tion [in-'flek-shən] -n
- the act or result of curving or bending : bend
- change in pitch or loudness of the voice
- the change of form that words undergo to mark such distinctions as those of case, gender, number, tense, person, mood, or voice
- a form, suffix, or element involved in such variation
- accidence
- change in curvature of an arc or curve from concave to convex or conversely
- inflection point
in·flec·tion·al [-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or characterized by inflection
inflection point -n
- a point on a curve that separates an arc concave upward from one concave downward and vice versa
in·flexed ['in-,flekst] -adj
- bent or turned abruptly inward or downward or toward the axis
in·flex·i·ble [(,)in-'flek-sə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- rigidly firm in will or purpose : unyielding
- not readily bent : lacking or deficient in suppleness
- incapable of change : unalterable
in·flex·ion [in-'flek-shən] -n
(variant of inflection)
- the act or result of curving or bending : bend
- change in pitch or loudness of the voice
- the change of form that words undergo to mark such distinctions as those of case, gender, number, tense, person, mood, or voice
- a form, suffix, or element involved in such variation
- accidence
- change in curvature of an arc or curve from concave to convex or conversely
- inflection point
in·flict [in-'flikt] -vt, n, adj
- afflict
- to give by or as if by striking
- to cause (something unpleasant) to be endured
in·flic·tion [in-'flik-shən] -n
- the act of inflicting
- something (as punishment or suffering) that is inflicted
inflight ['in-'flīt, (,)in-] -adj
- made, carried out, or provided for use or enjoyment while in flight
in·flo·res·cence [,in-flə-'re-sᵊn(t)s] -n
- the mode of development and arrangement of flowers on an axis
- a floral axis with its appendages
- a flower cluster
- the budding and unfolding of blossoms : flowering
in·flow ['in-,flō] -n
- a flowing in
in·flu·ence ['in-,flü-ən(t)s, esp Southern in-'] -n
- an ethereal fluid held to flow from the stars and to affect the actions of humans
- an emanation of occult power held to derive from stars
- an emanation of spiritual or moral force
- the act or power of producing an effect without apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command
- corrupt interference with authority for personal gain
- the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways : sway
- one that exerts influence
influence [-ən(t)-sə-bəl] -vt, adj
- to affect or alter by indirect or intangible means
- to have an effect on the condition or development of
in·flu·ent ['in-,flü-ənt, in-'] -adj
- flowing in
influent -n
- : something that flows in: as
- a tributary stream
- fluid input into a reservoir or process
- a factor modifying the balance and stability of an ecological community
in·flu·en·tial [,in-(,)flü-'en(t)-shəl] -adj, adv
- exerting or possessing influence
influential -n
- one who has great influence
in·flu·en·za [,in-(,)flü-'en-zə] -n, adj
- an acute typically severe respiratory disease caused by an orthomyxovirus (species Influenza A virusof the genus Influenzavirus A) and marked by sudden onset, fever, prostration, severe aches and pains, and progressive inflammation of the respiratory mucous membranes called also influenza A
- either of two usu. milder or even subclinical respiratory diseases caused by two other orthomyxoviruses (species Influenza B virusof the genus Influenzavirus Band species Influenza C virusof the genus Influenzavirus C) often used with the letter B or C to denote the causative species
- any of various human respiratory infections of undetermined cause not used technically
- any of numerous febrile usu. virus diseases of domestic animals marked by respiratory symptoms, inflammation of mucous membranes, and often systemic involvement
in·flux ['in-,fləks] -n
- a coming in
in·fo ['in-(,)fō] -n
- information
in·fold [in-'fōld] -vt
- enfold, envelop
- to fold inward or toward one another
in·fo·mer·cial ['in-(,)fō-,mər-shəl, -fə-] -n
- a television program that is an extended advertisement often including a discussion or demonstration
in·form [in-'fȯrm] -vb
- to give material form to
- to give character or essence to
- the principles which inform modern teaching
- to be the characteristic quality of : animate
- the compassion that inform s her work
- guide, direct
- to make known
- to communicate knowledge to
- inform a prisoner of his rights
- to impart information or knowledge
- to give information (as of another's wrongdoing) to an authority
- inform ed on a member of his own gang
in·for·mal [(,)in-'fȯr-məl] -adj, n, adv
- marked by the absence of formality or ceremony
- characteristic of or appropriate to ordinary, casual, or familiar use
in·for·mant [in-'fȯr-mənt] -n
- : a person who gives information: as
- informer
- one who supplies cultural or linguistic data in response to interrogation by an investigator
in for·ma pau·pe·ris [,in-'fȯr-mə-'pȯ-pə-rəs, -'pau̇-] -adj or adv
- as a poor person
in·for·mat·ics [,in-fər-'ma-tiks] -n pl but sing in constr
- information science
in·for·ma·tion [,in-fər-'mā-shən] -n, adj, adv
- the communication or reception of knowledge or intelligence
- knowledge obtained from investigation, study, or instruction
- intelligence, news
- facts, data
- the attribute inherent in and communicated by one of two or more alternative sequences or arrangements of something (as nucleotides in DNA or binary digits in a computer program) that produce specific effects
- a signal or character (as in a communication system or computer) representing data
- something (as a message, experimental data, or a picture) which justifies change in a construct (as a plan or theory) that represents physical or mental experience or another construct
- a quantitative measure of the content of information
- a numerical quantity that measures the uncertainty in the outcome of an experiment to be performed
- the act of informing against a person
- a formal accusation of a crime made by a prosecuting officer as distinguished from an indictment presented by a grand jury
information retrieval -n
- the techniques of storing and recovering and often disseminating recorded data esp. through the use of a computerized system
information science -n
- the collection, classification, storage, retrieval, and dissemination of recorded knowledge treated both as a pure and as an applied science
information superhighway -n
- a telecommunications infrastructure or system (as of television, telephony, or computer networks) used for widespread and usu. rapid access to information
- internet called also infobahn, information highway
information technology -n
- the technology involving the development, maintenance, and use of computer systems, software, and networks for the processing and distribution of data
information theory -n
- a theory that deals statistically with information, with the measurement of its content in terms of its distinguishing essential characteristics or by the number of alternatives from which it makes a choice possible, and with the efficiency of processes of communication between humans and machines
in·for·ma·tive [in-'fȯr-mə-tiv] -adj, adv, n
- imparting knowledge : instructive
in·for·ma·to·ry [-mə-,tȯr-ē] -adj, adv
- conveying information
in·formed [in-'fȯrmd] -adj, adv
- having information
- based on possession of information
- educated, knowledgeable
- what the informed person should know
informed consent -n
- consent to surgery by a patient or to participation in a medical experiment by a subject after achieving an understanding of what is involved
in·form·er [in-'fȯr-mər] -n
- one that imparts knowledge or news
- one that informs against another
- one who makes a practice esp. for a financial reward of informing against others for violations of penal laws
in·fo·tain·ment [,in-(,)fō-'tān-mənt] -n
- a television program that presents information (as news) in a manner intended to be entertaining
in·fo·tech ['in-fō-,tek] -n
- information technology
in·fra ['in-frə also -,frä] -adv
- later in this writing : below
- for additional examples see infra
infra- -prefix
- below
- within
- below in a scale or series
in·frac·tion [in-'frak-shən] -n, vt
- the act of infringing : violation
in·fra dig ['in-frə-'dig, -(,)frä-] -adj
- being beneath one's dignity : undignified
- while his work...was financially profitable, it was just a bit infra dig -- John McCarten
in·fra·hu·man [,in-frə-'hyü-mən, -(,)frä-, -'yü-] -adj, n
- less or lower than human
in·fran·gi·ble [(,)in-'fran-jə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- not capable of being broken or separated into parts
- not to be infringed or violated
in·fra·or·der ['in-frə-,ȯr-dər] -n
- a taxonomic category in biological classification ranking above a superfamily and below a suborder
in·fra·red [,in-frə-'red, -(,)frä-, -fə-] -adj, n
- situated outside the visible spectrum at its red end used of radiation having a wavelength between about 700 nanometers and 1 millimeter
- relating to, producing, or employing infrared radiation
- sensitive to infrared radiation
- infrared sensors that detect body heat
in·fra·son·ic [,in-frə-'sä-nik, -(,)frä-] -adj
- having or relating to a frequency below the audibility range of the human ear
- utilizing or produced by infrasonic waves or vibrations
in·fra·spe·cif·ic [-spi-'si-fik] -adj
- occurring within a species
- infraspecific variability
in·fra·struc·ture ['in-frə-,strək-chər, -(,)frä-] -n, adj
- the underlying foundation or basic framework (as of a system or organization)
- the permanent installations required for military purposes
- the system of public works of a country, state, or region
- the resources (as personnel, buildings, or equipment) required for an activity
in·fre·quence [(,)in-'frē-kwən(t)s] -n
- infrequency
in·fre·quen·cy [-kwən(t)-sē] -n
- rarity of occurrence
in·fre·quent [(,)in-'frē-kwənt] -adj, adv
- seldom happening or occurring : rare
- placed or occurring at wide intervals in space or time
- a slope dotted with infrequent pines
in·fringe [in-'frinj] -vb, n
- to encroach upon in a way that violates law or the rights of another
- defeat, frustrate
- encroach used with on or upon
in·fringe·ment [in-'frinj-mənt] -n
- the act of infringing : violation
- an encroachment or trespass on a right or privilege
in·fun·dib·u·lar [,in-(,)fən-'di-byə-lər] -adj
- of, relating to, or having an infundibulum
in·fun·dib·u·lum [,in-(,)fən-'di-byə-ləm] -n
- : any of various funnel-shaped organs or parts: as
- the hollow conical process of gray matter connecting the pituitary gland to the hypothalamus
- the calyx of a kidney
- the abdominal opening of a fallopian tube
in·fu·ri·ate [in-'fyu̇r-ē-,āt] -vt, adv, n
- to make furious
- furiously angry
in·fuse [in-'fyüz] -vt, n
- to cause to be permeated with something (as a principle or quality) that alters usu. for the better
- infuse the team with confidence
- introduce, insinuate
- a new spirit was infused into American art -- Amer. Guide Series: N.Y.
- inspire, animate
- the sense of purpose that infuses scientific research
- to steep in liquid (as water) without boiling so as to extract the soluble constituents or principles
- to administer or inject by infusion
- stem cells were infused into the patient
in·fus·ible [(,)in-'fyü-zə-bəl] -adj, n
- incapable of being fused : very difficult to fuse
in·fu·sion [in-'fyü-zhən] -n
- the act or process of infusing
- a product obtained by infusing
- the continuous slow introduction of a solution esp. into a vein
in·fu·so·ri·al earth ['in-fyü-'zȯr-ē-əl-, -'sȯr-] -n
- kieselguhr
in·fu·so·ri·an [-ē-ən] -n, adj
- any of a heterogeneous group of minute organisms found esp. in water with decomposing organic matter
- a ciliated protozoan
in·gath·er ['in-,ga-thər, -,ge-] -vt, n
- to gather in
- assemble
in·ge·nious [in-'jēn-yəs] -adj, adv, n
- showing or calling for intelligence, aptitude, or discernment
- marked by especial aptitude at discovering, inventing, or contriving
- marked by originality, resourcefulness, and cleverness in conception or execution
in·ge·nue ['an-jə-,nü, 'än-; 'aⁿ-zhə-, 'äⁿ-] -n
- a naive girl or young woman
- the stage role of an ingenue
- an actress playing such a role
in·ge·nu·i·ty [,in-jə-'nü-ə-tē, -'nyü-] -n
- candor, ingenuousness
- skill or cleverness in devising or combining : inventiveness
- cleverness or aptness of design or contrivance
- an ingenious device or contrivance
in·gen·u·ous [in-'jen-yə-wəs, -yü-əs] -adj
- ingenious
ingenuous -adj, adv, n
- noble, honorable
- showing innocent or childlike simplicity and candidness
- her ingenuous thirst for experience -- Christopher Rawson
- lacking craft or subtlety
- ingenuous in their brutality
in·gest [in-'jest] -vt, adj, n
- to take in for or as if for digestion
in·ges·ta [in-'jes-tə] -n pl
- material taken into the body by way of the digestive tract
in·gle ['iŋ-gəl, 'iŋ-əl] -n
- a fire in a fireplace
- fireplace
- corner, angle
in·gle·nook [-,nu̇k] -n
- a nook by a large open fireplace
- a bench or settle occupying this nook
in·glo·ri·ous [(,)in-'glȯr-ē-əs] -adj, adv, n
- shameful, ignominious
- not glorious : lacking fame or honor
- made an inglorious comeback
in·got ['iŋ-gət] -n
- a mold in which metal is cast
- a mass of metal cast into a convenient shape for storage or transportation to be later processed
ingot iron -n
- iron containing only small proportions of impurities (as less than 0.05 percent carbon)
in·grain [(,)in-'grān] -vt
- to work indelibly into the natural texture or mental or moral constitution
- made of fiber that is dyed before being spun into yarn
- made of yarn that is dyed before being woven or knitted
- thoroughly worked in : innate
- innate quality or character
in·grained ['in-,grānd, (,)in-'] -adj, adv
- worked into the grain or fiber
- forming a part of the essence or inmost being : deep-seated
in·grate ['in-,grāt] -n
- an ungrateful person
in·gra·ti·ate [in-'grā-shē-,āt] -vt, n, adj
- to gain favor or favorable acceptance for by deliberate effort usu. used with with
- ingratiate themselves with the community leaders -- William Attwood
ingratiating [-'grā-shē-,ā-tiŋ-lē] -adj, adv
- capable of winning favor : pleasing
- intended or adopted in order to gain favor : flattering
in·grat·i·tude [(,)in-'gra-tə-,tüd, -,tyüd] -n
- forgetfulness of or poor return for kindness received : ungratefulness
in·gre·di·ent [in-'grē-dē-ənt] -n, adj
- something that enters into a compound or is a component part of any combination or mixture : constituent
in·gress ['in-,gres] -n
- the act of entering : entrance
- the seal prevents ingress of moisture
- the power or liberty of entrance or access
- an area with restricted ingress
in·gres·sive [in-'gre-siv] -adj, n
- of, relating to, or involving ingress
- produced by ingress of air into the vocal tract
- inchoative
in·ground ['in-,grau̇nd] -adj
- built into the ground
ingroup ['in-,grüp] -n
- a group with which one feels a sense of solidarity or community of interests
- clique
in·grow·ing ['in-,grō-iŋ] -adj
- growing or tending inward
in·grown [-,grōn] -adj, n
- grown in
- having the free tip or edge embedded in the flesh
- having the direction of growth or activity or interest inward rather than outward
- swarms of ingrown, infighting bureaucracies -- H. R. Cilley
in·growth ['in-,grōth] -n
- a growing inward (as to fill a void)
- something that grows in or into a space
in·gui·nal ['iŋ-gwə-nᵊl] -adj
- of, relating to, or situated in the region of the groin or in either of the lowest lateral regions of the abdomen
in·gur·gi·tate [in-'gər-jə-,tāt] -vt, n
- to swallow greedily or in large quantities : guzzle
INH -abbr
- isoniazid
in·hab·it [in-'ha-bət] -vb, adj, n
- to occupy as a place of settled residence or habitat : live in
- to be present in or occupy in any manner or form
- the human beings who inhabit this tale -- Al Newman
- to have residence in a place : dwell
in·hab·i·tan·cy [in-'ha-bə-tən(t)-sē] -n
- inhabitation
in·hab·i·tant [in-'ha-bə-tənt] -n
- one that occupies a particular place regularly, routinely, or for a period of time
- inhabitant s of large cities
- the tapeworm is an inhabitant of the intestine
in·hab·i·ta·tion [in-,ha-bə-'tā-shən] -n
- the act of inhabiting : the state of being inhabited
inhabited -adj
- having inhabitants
in·hal·ant [in-'hā-lənt] -n, adj
- something (as an allergen or medication) that is inhaled
in·ha·la·tion [,in-hə-'lā-shən, ,i-nə-'lā-] -n, adj
- the act or an instance of inhaling
- material (as medication) to be taken in by inhaling
in·ha·la·tor ['in-hə-,lā-tər, 'i-nə-,lā-] -n
- a device providing a mixture of oxygen and carbon dioxide for breathing that is used esp. in conjunction with artificial respiration
in·hale [in-'hāl] -vb, n
- to draw in by breathing
- to take in eagerly or greedily
- inhaled about four meals at once -- Ring Lardner
- to breathe in
in·hal·er [in-'hā-lər] -n
- a device by means of which medicinal material is inhaled
- one that inhales
in·har·mon·ic [,in-(,)här-'mä-nik] -adj
- not harmonic
in·har·mo·ni·ous [-'mō-nē-əs] -adj, adv, n
- not harmonious : discordant
- not fitting or congenial : conflicting
- inharmonious personalities
in·har·mo·ny [(,)in-'här-mə-nē] -n
- discord
in·here [in-'hir] -vi
- to be inherent
- does selfishness inhere in each of us?
in·her·ence [in-'hir-ən(t)s, -'her-] -n
- the quality, state, or fact of inhering
in·her·ent [-ənt] -adj, adv
- involved in the constitution or essential character of something : belonging by nature or habit : intrinsic
- risks inherent in the venture
in·her·it [in-'her-ət, -'he-rət] -vb, n
- to come into possession of or receive esp. as a right or divine portion
- and every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters...for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life -- Mt 19:29 (RSV)
- to receive from an ancestor as a right or title descendible by law at the ancestor's death
- to receive as a devise or legacy
- to receive from a parent or ancestor by genetic transmission
- inherit a defective enzyme
- to have in turn or receive as if from an ancestor
- inherit ed the problem from his predecessor
- to take or hold a possession or rights by inheritance
in·her·it·able [in-'her-ə-tə-bəl, -'he-rə-] -adj, n
- capable of being inherited : transmissible
- capable of taking by inheritance
- the eldest son is inheritable to the crown
in·her·i·tance [in-'her-ə-tən(t)s, -'he-rə-] -n
- the act of inheriting property
- the reception of genetic qualities by transmission from parent to offspring
- the acquisition of a possession, condition, or trait from past generations
- something that is or may be inherited
- tradition
- a valuable possession that is a common heritage from nature
- possession
inheritance tax -n
- a tax on a decedent's net estate that is levied after the estate is transmitted to the inheritors
- death tax
- estate tax
in·hib·in [in-'hi-bən] -n
- a glycoprotein hormone that is secreted by the pituitary gland and in the male by the Sertoli cells and in the female by the granulosa cells and that inhibits the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone
in·hib·it [in-'hi-bət] -vb, adj
- to prohibit from doing something
- to hold in check : restrain
- to discourage from free or spontaneous activity esp. through the operation of inner psychological or external social constraints
- to cause inhibition
in·hi·bi·tion [,in-hə-'bi-shən, ,i-nə-] -n
- the act of inhibiting : the state of being inhibited
- something that forbids, debars, or restricts
- : an inner impediment to free activity, expression, or functioning: as
- a mental process imposing restraint upon behavior or another mental process (as a desire)
- a restraining of the function of a bodily organ or an agent (as an enzyme)
in·hib·i·tor [in-'hi-bə-tər] -n
- : one that inhibits: as
- an agent that slows or interferes with a chemical action
- a substance that reduces or suppresses the activity of another substance (as an enzyme)
in·hold·ing ['in-,hōl-diŋ] -n
- privately owned land inside the boundary of a national park
in·ho·mo·ge·ne·i·ty [(,)in-,hō-mə-jə-'nē-ə-tē, -'nā- also ÷-'nī-; esp Brit -,hä-mə-] -n, adj
- the condition or an instance of not being homogeneous
- a part that is not homogeneous with the larger uniform mass in which it occurs
- a localized collection of matter in the universe
in·hos·pi·ta·ble [,in-(,)hä-'spi-tə-bəl, (,)in-'häs-(,)pi-] -adj, n, adv
- not showing hospitality : not friendly or receptive
- providing no shelter or sustenance
- an inhospitable environment
in·hos·pi·tal·i·ty [(,)in-,häs-pə-'ta-lə-tē] -n
- the quality or state of being inhospitable
inhouse ['in-,hau̇s, -'hau̇s] -adj, adv
- existing, originating, or carried on within a group or organization or its facilities : not outside
- a company's inhouse staff
in·hu·man [(,)in-'hyü-mən, -'yü-] -adj, adv, n
- lacking pity, kindness, or mercy : savage
- cold, impersonal
- his usual quiet, almost inhuman courtesy -- F. Tennyson Jesse
- not worthy of or conforming to the needs of human beings
- inhuman living conditions
- of or suggesting a nonhuman class of beings
in·hu·mane [,in-(,)hyü-'mān, -(,)yü-] -adj, adv
- not humane : inhuman
- the inhumane treatment of prisoners
in·hu·man·i·ty [-'ma-nə-tē] -n
- the quality or state of being cruel or barbarous
- a cruel or barbarous act
- absence of warmth or geniality : impersonality
in·hume [in-'hyüm] -vt, n
- bury, inter
in·im·i·cal [i-'ni-mi-kəl] -adj, adv
- being adverse often by reason of hostility or malevolence
- forces inimical to democracy
- having the disposition of an enemy : hostile
- reflecting or indicating hostility : unfriendly
- his father's inimical glare
in·im·i·ta·ble [(,)i-'ni-mə-tə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- not capable of being imitated : matchless
in·i·on ['i-nē-,än, -ən] -n
- the external occipital protuberance of the skull
in·iq·ui·tous [i-'ni-kwə-təs] -adj, adv, n
- characterized by iniquity
in·iq·ui·ty [-kwə-tē] -n
- gross injustice : wickedness
- a wicked act or thing : sin
ini·tial [i-'ni-shəl] -adj, adv, n
- of or relating to the beginning : incipient
- placed at the beginning : first
- the initial word of the verse
initial -n
- the first letter of a name
- the first letter of each word in a full name
- found that their initial s were identical
- a large letter beginning a text or a division or paragraph
- anlage, precursor
- a meristematic cell
- to affix an initial to
- to authenticate or give preliminary approval to by affixing the initials of an authorizing representative
ini·tial·ism [i-'ni-shə-,li-zəm] -n
- an abbreviation formed from initial letters
ini·tial·ize [-,līz] -vt, n
- to set (as a computer program counter) to a starting position, value, or configuration
initial rhyme -n
- alliteration
initial side -n
- a stationary straight line that contains a point about which another straight line is rotated to form an angle
ini·ti·ate [i-'ni-shē-,āt] -vt, n
- to cause or facilitate the beginning of : set going
- initiate a program of reform
- enzymes that initiate fermentation
- to induct into membership by or as if by special rites
- to instruct in the rudiments or principles of something : introduce
ini·tiate [i-'ni-sh(ē-)ət] -adj
- initiated or properly admitted (as to membership or an office)
- instructed in some secret knowledge
- relating to an initiate
- a person who is undergoing or has undergone an initiation
- a person who is instructed or adept in some special field
ini·ti·a·tion [i-,ni-shē-'ā-shən] -n
- the act or an instance of initiating
- the process of being initiated
- the rites, ceremonies, ordeals, or instructions with which one is made a member of a sect or society or is invested with a particular function or status
- the condition of being initiated into some experience or sphere of activity : knowledgeableness
ini·tia·tive [i-'ni-shə-tiv also -shē-ə-tiv] -adj
- of or relating to initiation : introductory, preliminary
initiative -n
- an introductory step
- took the initiative in attempting to settle the issue
- energy or aptitude displayed in initiation of action : enterprise
- the right to initiate legislative action
- a procedure enabling a specified number of voters by petition to propose a law and secure its submission to the electorate or to the legislature for approval
ini·tia·to·ry [i-'ni-sh(ē-)ə-,tȯr-ē] -adj
- constituting a beginning
- tending or serving to initiate
in·ject [in-'jekt] -vt, adj or n, n
- to introduce into something forcefully
- inject fuel into an engine
- to force a fluid into (as for medical purposes)
- inject a drug into the bloodstream
- to introduce as an element or factor in or into some situation or subject
- condemning any attempt to inject religious bigotry into the campaign -- Current Biog.
in·jec·tant [-'jek-tənt] -n
- a substance that is injected into something
in·jec·tion [in-'jek-shən] -n
- an act or instance of injecting
- the placing of an artificial satellite or a spacecraft into an orbit or on a trajectory
- the time or place at which injection occurs
- something (as a medication) that is injected
- a mathematical function that is a one-to-one mapping
injection molding -n, adj
- a method of forming articles (as of plastic) by heating the molding material until it can flow and injecting it into a mold
in·jec·tive [in-'jek-tiv] -adj
- being a one-to-one mathematical function
injoke ['in-,jōk, -'jōk] -n
- a joke for or about a select group of people
in·ju·di·cious [,in-jü-'di-shəs] -adj, adv, n
- not judicious : indiscreet, unwise
in·junc·tion [in-'jəŋ(k)-shən] -n, adj
- the act or an instance of enjoining : order, admonition
- a writ granted by a court of equity whereby one is required to do or to refrain from doing a specified act
in·jure ['in-jər] -vt, n
- to do an injustice to : wrong
- to harm, impair, or tarnish the standing of
- to give pain to
- to inflict bodily hurt on
- to impair the soundness of
- to inflict material damage or loss on
in·ju·ri·ous [in-'ju̇r-ē-əs] -adj, adv, n
- inflicting or tending to inflict injury : detrimental
- abusive, defamatory
- speak not injurious words -- George Washington
in·ju·ry ['inj-rē, 'in-jə-] -n
- an act that damages or hurts : wrong
- violation of another's rights for which the law allows an action to recover damages
- hurt, damage, or loss sustained
in·jus·tice [(,)in-'jəs-təs] -n
- absence of justice : violation of right or of the rights of another : unfairness
- an unjust act : wrong
ink ['iŋk] -n, adj
- a colored usu. liquid material for writing and printing
- the black protective secretion of a cephalopod
- publicity
- to put ink on
- to draw or write on in ink
- sign
- sign
ink·ber·ry ['iŋk-,ber-ē] -n
- a holly ( Ilex glabra) of eastern No. America with evergreen oblong leathery leaves and small usu. black berries
- pokeweed
- the fruit of an inkberry
ink·blot test ['iŋk-,blät-] -n
- any of several psychological tests (as a Rorschach test) based on the interpretation of irregular figures (as blots of ink)
ink·horn ['iŋk-,hȯrn] -n
- a small portable bottle (as of horn) for holding ink
inkhorn -adj
- ostentatiously learned : pedantic
inkind ['in-'kīnd] -adj
- consisting of something (as goods or commodities) other than money
- inkind relief for the poor
inkjet ['iŋk-'jet] -adj, n
- of, relating to, or being a printer in which electrically charged droplets of ink are sprayed onto the paper
in·kle ['iŋ-kəl] -n
- a colored linen tape or braid woven on a very narrow loom and used for trimming
- the thread used
in·kling ['iŋ-kliŋ] -n
- a slight indication or suggestion : hint, clue
- there was no path-no inkling even of a track -- New Yorker
- a slight knowledge or vague notion
- had not the faintest inkling of what it was all about -- H. W. Carter
ink·stand ['iŋk-,stand] -n
- inkwell
- a stand with fittings for holding ink and pens
ink·stone ['iŋk-,stōn] -n
- a stone used in Chinese art and calligraphy on which dry ink and water are mixed
ink·well ['iŋk-,wel] -n
- a container (as in a desk) for ink
inky cap -n
- a mushroom (genus Coprinus,esp. C. atramentarius) whose pileus deliquesces into an inky fluid after the spores have matured called also ink cap
in·laid ['in-'lād] -adj
- set into a surface in a decorative design
- tables with inlaid marble
- decorated with a design or material set into a surface
- a table with an inlaid top
- having a design that goes all the way through to the backing
in·land ['in-,land, -lənd] -adj
- of or relating to the interior of a country
- not foreign : domestic
inland -n
- the interior part of a country
- into or toward the interior
in·land·er ['in-,lan-dər, -lən-] -n
- one who lives inland
inlaw ['in-,lȯ] -n
- a relative by marriage
in·lay [(,)in-'lā, 'in-,] -vt, n
- to set into a surface or ground material
- to adorn with insertions
- to insert (as a color plate) into a mat or other reinforcement
- to rub, beat, or fuse (as wire) into an incision in metal, wood, or stone
- inlaid work or a decorative inlaid pattern
- a tooth filling shaped to fit a cavity and then cemented into place
in·let ['in-,let, -lət] -n
- a bay or recess in the shore of a sea, lake, or river
- creek
- a narrow water passage between peninsulas or through a barrier island leading to a bay or lagoon
- a way of entering
- an opening for intake
in·li·er ['in-,lī(-ə)r] -n
- a mass of rock whose outcrop is surrounded by rock of younger age
- a distinct area or formation completely surrounded by another
- enclave
inline ['in-'līn, ,in-] -adj or adv
- having the parts or units arranged in a straight line
- being so arranged
inline engine [(,)in-'līn-, 'in-,] -n
- an internal combustion engine in which the cylinders are arranged in one or more straight lines
inline skate -n
- a roller skate whose wheels are set in-line for greater speed and maneuverability
in lo·co pa·ren·tis [in-'lō-kō-pə-'ren-təs] -adv
- in the place of a parent
- school officials acting in loco parentis
in loco parentis -n
- regulation or supervision by an administrative body (as at a university) acting in loco parentis
in·ly ['in-lē] -adv
- inwardly
- in a manner suggesting great depth of knowledge or understanding : thoroughly
in·mate ['in-,māt] -n
- any of a group occupying a single place of residence
- a person confined (as in a prison or hospital)
in me·di·as res [in-'me-dē-əs-'rās, -'mē-dē-əs-'rēz] -adv
- in or into the middle of a narrative or plot
in me·mo·ri·am [,in-mə-'mȯr-ē-əm] -prep
- in memory of used esp. in epitaphs
inmi·grant ['in-,mī-grənt] -n
- one that in-migrates
inmi·grate ['in-,mī-,grāt] -vi, n
- to move into or come to live in a region or community esp. as part of a large-scale and continuing movement of population
in·most ['in-,mōst] -adj
- deepest within : farthest from the outside
inn ['in] -n
- an establishment for the lodging and entertaining of travelers
- tavern
- a residence formerly provided for British students in London and esp. for students of law
- to put up at an inn
in·nards ['i-nərdz] -n pl
- the internal organs of a human being or animal
- viscera
- the internal parts esp. of a structure or mechanism
in·nate [i-'nāt, 'i-,] -adj, adv, n
- existing in, belonging to, or determined by factors present in an individual from birth : native, inborn
- belonging to the essential nature of something : inherent
- originating in or derived from the mind or the constitution of the intellect rather than from experience
in·ner ['i-nər] -adj, n, adv
- situated farther in
- being near a center esp. of influence
- the inner circles of political power
- of or relating to the mind or spirit
- existing as an often repressed part of one's psychological makeup
inner city -n, adj
- the usu. older, poorer, and more densely populated central section of a city
in·nerdi·rect·ed ['i-nər-də-'rek-təd, -(,)dī-] -adj
- directed in thought and action by one's own scale of values as opposed to external norms
inner ear -n
- the essential organ of hearing and equilibrium that is located in the temporal bone, is innervated by the auditory nerve, and includes the vestibule, the semicircular canals, and the cochlea
inner light -n
- a divine presence held (as in Quaker doctrine) to enlighten and guide the soul
in·ner·most ['i-nər-,mōst] -adj
- farthest inward : inmost
innermost -n
- the inmost part
inner planet -n
- any of the planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars whose orbits are within the asteroid belt
inner product -n
- scalar product
in·ner·sole ['i-nər-'sōl] -n
- insole
inner space -n
- space at or near the earth's surface and esp. under the sea
- one's inner self
in·ner·spring ['i-nər-'spriŋ] -adj
- having coil springs inside a padded casing
inner tube -n
- an inflatable usu. ring-shaped rubber tube designed for use inside a pneumatic tire
in·ner·vate [i-'nər-,vāt, 'i-(,)nər-] -vt, n
- to supply with nerves
in·ning ['i-niŋ] -n
- a division of a cricket match
- a division of a baseball game consisting of a turn at bat for each team
- a baseball team's turn at bat ending with the third out
- a player's turn (as in horseshoes, pool, or croquet)
- a chance or opportunity for action or accomplishment usu. used in pl. but sing. or pl. in constr.
- that momentous inning s which was to project him into world politics -- Times Lit. Supp.
inn·keep·er ['in-,kē-pər] -n
- a proprietor of an inn
- hotelman
in·no·cence ['i-nə-sən(t)s] -n
- freedom from guilt or sin through being unacquainted with evil : blamelessness
- chastity
- freedom from legal guilt of a particular crime or offense
- freedom from guile or cunning : simplicity
- lack of worldly experience or sophistication
- lack of knowledge : ignorance
- written in entire innocence of the Italian language -- E. R. Bentley
- one that is innocent
- bluet
in·no·cen·cy [-sən(t)-sē] -n
- innocence
- an innocent action or quality
in·no·cent ['i-nə-sənt] -adj, n, adv
- free from guilt or sin esp. through lack of knowledge of evil : blameless
- harmless in effect or intention
- searching for a hidden motive in even the most innocent conversation -- Leonard Wibberley
- candid
- free from legal guilt or fault
- lawful
- a wholly innocent transaction
- lacking or reflecting a lack of sophistication, guile, or self-consciousness : artless, ingenuous
- ignorant
- almost entirely innocent of Latin -- C. L. Wrenn
- unaware
- perfectly innocent of the confusion he had created -- B. R. Haydon
- lacking or deprived of something
- her face innocent of cosmetics -- Marcia Davenport
in·noc·u·ous [i-'nä-kyə-wəs] -adj, adv, n
- producing no injury : harmless
- not likely to give offense or to arouse strong feelings or hostility : inoffensive, insipid
in·nom·i·nate [i-'nä-mə-nət] -adj
- having no name : unnamed
- anonymous
innominate artery -n
- brachiocephalic artery
innominate bone -n
- hip bone
innominate vein -n
- brachiocephalic vein
in·no·vate ['i-nə-,vāt] -vb, n, adj
- to introduce as or as if new
- to effect a change in
- the dictates of my father were...not to be altered, innovated, or even discussed -- Sir Walter Scott
- to make changes : do something in a new way
in·no·va·tion [,i-nə-'vā-shən] -n, adj
- the introduction of something new
- a new idea, method, or device : novelty
in·no·va·tive ['i-nə-,vā-tiv] -adj, adv, n
- characterized by, tending to, or introducing innovations
Inns of Court
- the four sets of buildings in London belonging to four societies of students and practitioners of the law
- the four societies that alone admit to practice at the English bar
in·nu·en·do [,in-yə-'wen-(,)dō, -yü-'en-] -n
- an oblique allusion : hint, insinuation
- a veiled or equivocal reflection on character or reputation
- the use of such allusions
- a parenthetical explanation introduced into the text of a legal document
in·nu·mer·a·ble [i-'nüm-rə-bəl, -'nyüm-; -'n(y)ü-mə-] -adj, adv
- too many to be numbered : countless
- very many
in·nu·mer·ate [-rət] -adj, n
- marked by an ignorance of mathematics and the scientific approach
in·nu·mer·ous [-rəs] -adj
- innumerable
in·ob·ser·vance [,in-əb-'zər-vən(t)s] -n, adj
- lack of attention : heedlessness
- failure to fulfill : nonobservance
in·oc·u·lant [i-'nä-kyə-lənt] -n
- inoculum
in·oc·u·late [i-'nä-kyə-,lāt] -vt, adj, n
- to introduce a microorganism into
- inoculate mice with anthrax
- beans inoculated with nitrogen-fixing bacteria
- to introduce (as a microorganism) into a suitable situation for growth
- to introduce immunologically active material (as an antibody or antigen) into esp. in order to treat or prevent a disease
- inoculate children against diphtheria
- to introduce something into the mind of
- to protect as if by inoculation
in·oc·u·la·tion [i-,nä-kyə-'lā-shən] -n
- the act or process or an instance of inoculating
- the introduction of a pathogen or antigen into a living organism to stimulate the production of antibodies
- inoculum
in·oc·u·lum [i-'nä-kyə-ləm] -n
- material used for inoculation
in·of·fen·sive [,in-ə-'fen(t)-siv] -adj, adv, n
- causing no harm or injury
- giving no provocation : peaceable
- not objectionable to the senses
in·op·er·a·ble [(,)in-'ä-p(ə-)rə-bəl] -adj
- not treatable or remediable by surgery
- inoperative
in·op·er·a·tive [-'ä-p(ə-)rə-tiv, -'ä-pə-,rā-] -adj, n
- : not operative: as
- not functioning
- having no effect or force
in·op·por·tune [(,)in-,ä-pər-'tün, -'tyün] -adj, adv, n
- inconvenient, unseasonable
in order that -conj
- that
in·or·di·nate [in-'ȯr-dᵊn-ət, -'ȯrd-nət] -adj, adv, n
- disorderly, unregulated
- exceeding reasonable limits : immoderate
inorg -abbr
- inorganic
in·or·gan·ic [,in-(,)ȯr-'ga-nik] -adj, adv
- being or composed of matter other than plant or animal : mineral
- forming or belonging to the inanimate world
- of, relating to, or dealt with by a branch of chemistry concerned with substances not usu. classed as organic
- not arising from natural growth : artificial
- lacking structure, character, or vitality
- dull inorganic things, without individuality or prestige -- John Buchan
in·os·cu·late [i-'näs-kyə-,lāt] -vb, n
- join, unite
ino·sine ['i-nə-,sēn, 'ī-, -sən] -n
- a nucleoside C 10H 12N 4O 5that is composed of hypoxanthine and ribose, that in the form of its monophosphate is a biosynthetic precursor of both AMP and its guanosine analog, and that binds to adenine, cytosine, or uracil esp. in some transfer RNAs
ino·si·tol [i-'nō-sə-,tȯl, ī-'nō-, -,tōl] -n
- any of several crystalline stereoisomeric cyclic alcohols C 6H 12O 6
- myoinositol
ino·trope ['ī-nə-,trōp] -n
- an inotropic drug or agent (as epinephrine or a beta-blocker)
ino·tro·pic [,ē-nə-'trō-pik, ,ī-nə-, -'trä-] -adj
- increasing or decreasing the force of muscular contractions
INP -abbr
- International News Photo
in·pa·tient ['in-,pā-shənt] -n
- a hospital patient who receives lodging and food as well as treatment
in per·so·nam [,in-pər-'sō-,nam, -,näm] -adv or adj
- against a person for the purpose of imposing a liability or obligation used esp. of legal actions, judgments, or jurisdiction
in pet·to [in-'pe-(,)tō] -adv or adj
- in private : secretly
- in miniature
in·pour·ing ['in-,pȯr-iŋ] -n
- inrush
inprint ['in-'print] -adj
- being in print
inpro·cess [(,)in-'prä-,ses, -'prō-, -səs] -adj
- of, relating to, or being goods in manufacture as distinguished from raw materials or from finished products
in pro·pria per·so·na [in-'prō-prē-ə-pər-'sō-nə] -adv
- in one's own person or character : personally
- without the assistance of an attorney
in·put ['in-,pu̇t] -n
- : something that is put in: as
- an amount put in
- increased input of fertilizer increases crop yield
- power or energy put into a machine or system for storage, conversion in kind, or conversion of characteristics usu. with the intent of sizable recovery in the form of output
- a component of production (as land, labor, or raw materials)
- information fed into a data processing system or computer
- advice, opinion, comment
- a stimulus that acts on and is integrated into a bodily system
- the means by which or the point at which an input (as of energy, material, or data) is made
- the act or process of putting in
input -vt
- to enter (as data) into a computer or data processing system
inq -abbr
- inquire
in·quest ['in-,kwest] -n
- a judicial or official inquiry or examination esp. before a jury
- a body of people (as a jury) assembled to hold such an inquiry
- the finding of the jury upon such inquiry or the document recording it
- inquiry, investigation
in·qui·etude [(,)in-'kwī-ə-,tüd, -,tyüd] -n
- disturbed state : disquietude
in·qui·line ['in-kwə-,līn, 'iŋ-, -lən] -n
- an animal that lives habitually in the nest or abode of some other species
in·quire [in-'kwī(-ə)r] -vb, n, adv
- to ask about
- some kindred spirit shall inquire thy fate -- Thomas Gray
- to search into : investigate
- to put a question : seek for information by questioning
- inquired about the horses
- to make investigation or inquiry often used with into
in·qui·ry [in-'kwī(-ə)r-ē, 'in-,; 'in-kwə-rē, 'iŋ-; 'in-,kwir-ē] -n
- examination into facts or principles : research
- a request for information
- a systematic investigation often of a matter of public interest
in·qui·si·tion [,in-kwə-'zi-shən, ,iŋ-] -n, adj
- the act of inquiring : examination
- a judicial or official inquiry or examination usu. before a jury
- the finding of the jury
- a former Roman Catholic tribunal for the discovery and punishment of heresy
- an investigation conducted with little regard for individual rights
- a severe questioning
in·quis·i·tive [in-'kwi-zə-tiv] -adj, adv, n
- given to examination or investigation
- inclined to ask questions
- inordinately or improperly curious about the affairs of others
in·quis·i·tor [in-'kwi-zə-tər] -n, adj, adv
- one who inquires or makes inquisition
- one who is unduly harsh, severe, or hostile in making an inquiry
in re [in-'rā, -'rē] -prep
- in the matter of : concerning, re often used in the title or name of a law case
in rem [in-'rem] -adv or adj
- against a thing (as a right, status, or property) used esp. of legal actions, judgments, or jurisdiction
INRI -abbr
- Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews
in·ro ['in-(,)rō] -n
- a small compartmented and usu. ornamented container hung from an obi to hold small objects (as medicines)
in·road ['in-,rōd] -n
- a sudden hostile incursion : raid
- an advance or penetration often at the expense of someone or something usu. used in pl.
in·run ['in-,rən] -n
- the approach ramp of a ski jump
in·rush ['in-,rəsh] -n
- a crowding or flooding in
ins -abbr
- inches
- insurance
INS -abbr
- Immigration and Naturalization Service
- inertial navigation system
in·sa·lu·bri·ous [,in-sə-'lü-brē-əs] -adj, n
- not conducive to health : unwholesome
ins and outs [,inz-ən(d)-'au̇ts] -n pl
- characteristic peculiarities or technicalities : workings
- ramifications
in·sane [(,)in-'sān] -adj, adv, n
- mentally disordered : exhibiting insanity
- used by, typical of, or intended for insane persons
- absurd
- an insane scheme for making money
- extreme
in·san·i·tary [(,)in-'sa-nə-,ter-ē] -adj, n
- unclean enough to endanger health : contaminated
in·san·i·ty [in-'sa-nə-tē] -n
- a deranged state of the mind usu. occurring as a specific disorder (as schizophrenia)
- such unsoundness of mind or lack of understanding as prevents one from having the mental capacity required by law to enter into a particular relationship, status, or transaction or as removes one from criminal or civil responsibility
- extreme folly or unreasonableness
- something utterly foolish or unreasonable
in·sa·tia·ble [(,)in-'sā-shə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- incapable of being satisfied : quenchless
- had an insatiable desire for wealth
in·sa·tiate [(,)in-'sā-sh(ē-)ət] -adj, adv, n
- insatiable
in·scribe [in-'skrīb] -vt, n
- to write, engrave, or print as a lasting record
- to enter on a list : enroll
- to write, engrave, or print characters upon
- to autograph or address (a book) as a gift
- to dedicate to someone
- to draw within a figure so as to touch in as many places as possible
- a regular polygon inscribed in a circle
- to register the name of the holder of (a security)
in·scrip·tion [in-'skrip-shən] -n, adj
- something that is inscribed
- superscription
- epigraph
- the wording on a coin, medal, seal, or currency note
- the dedication of a book or work of art
- the act of inscribing
- the entering of a name on or as if on a list : enrollment
- the act of inscribing securities
- inscribed securities
in·scrip·tive [in-'skrip-tiv] -adj, adv
- relating to or constituting an inscription
in·scroll [in-'skrōl] -vt
- to write on a scroll : record
in·scru·ta·ble [in-'skrü-tə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- not readily investigated, interpreted, or understood : mysterious
in·sculp [in-'skəlp] -vt
- engrave, sculpture
in·seam ['in-,sēm] -n
- the seam on the inside of the leg of a pair of pants
- the length of this seam
in·sect ['in-,sekt] -n, adj
- any of numerous small invertebrate animals (as spiders or centipedes) that are more or less obviously segmented not used technically
- any of a class (Insecta) of arthropods (as bugs or bees) with well-defined head, thorax, and abdomen, only three pairs of legs, and typically one or two pairs of wings
- a trivial or contemptible person
in·sec·ta·ry ['in-,sek-tə-rē, in-'] -n
- a place for the keeping or rearing of living insects
in·sec·ti·cid·al [(,)in-,sek-tə-'sī-dᵊl] -adj, adv
- destroying or controlling insects
- of or relating to an insecticide
in·sec·ti·cide [in-'sek-tə-,sīd] -n
- an agent that destroys insects
in·sec·tile [(,)in-'sek-tᵊl, -,tī(-ə)l, -(,)til] -adj
- being or suggestive of an insect
in·sec·ti·vore [in-'sek-tə-,vȯr] -n
- any of an order (Insectivora) of small usu. nocturnal mammals (as moles, shrews, and hedgehogs) that feed mainly on insects
- an insectivorous plant or animal
in·sec·tiv·o·rous [,in-,sek-'tiv-rəs, -'ti-və-] -adj
- feeding on insects
in·se·cure [,in-si-'kyu̇r] -adj, adv, n
- not confident or sure : uncertain
- feeling somewhat insecure of his reception
- not adequately guarded or sustained : unsafe
- not firmly fastened or fixed : shaky
- the hinge is loose and insecure
- not highly stable or well-adjusted
- deficient in assurance : beset by fear and anxiety
- always felt insecure in a group of strangers
in·sel·berg ['in(t)-səl-,bərg, 'in-zəl-, -,berg] -n
- an isolated mountain
in·sem·i·nate [in-'se-mə-,nāt] -vt, n
- sow
- to introduce semen into the genital tract of (a female)
in·sem·i·na·tor [-'se-mə-,nā-tər] -n
- one that inseminates cattle artificially
in·sen·sate [(,)in-'sen-,sāt, -sət] -adj, adv
- lacking sense or understanding
- foolish
- lacking animate awareness or sensation
- lacking humane feeling : brutal
in·sen·si·ble [(,)in-'sen(t)-sə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- imperceptible
- dampened by an insensible dew
- slight, gradual
- : incapable or bereft of feeling or sensation: as
- not endowed with life or spirit : insentient
- unconscious
- knocked insensible by a sudden blow
- lacking sensory perception or ability to react
- lacking emotional response : apathetic, indifferent
- unaware
- insensible of their danger
- stupid, senseless
- not intelligible : meaningless
- lacking delicacy or refinement
in·sen·si·tive [(,)in-'sen(t)-s(ə-)tiv] -adj, adv, n
- not responsive or susceptible
- insensitive to the demands of the public
- lacking feeling or tact
- so insensitive as to laugh at someone in pain
- not physically or chemically sensitive
in·sen·tient [(,)in-'sen(t)-sh(ē-)ənt] -adj, n
- lacking perception, consciousness, or animation
in·sep·a·ra·ble [(,)in-'se-p(ə-)rə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- incapable of being separated or disjoined
- seemingly always together : very intimate
in·sert [in-'sərt] -vb, n
- to put or thrust in
- insert the key in the lock
- insert a spacecraft into orbit
- to put or introduce into the body of something : interpolate
- insert a change in a manuscript
- to set in and make fast
- to insert by sewing between two cut edges
- to place into action (as in a game)
- to be in attachment to the part to be moved
- something that is inserted or is for insertion
- written or printed material inserted (as between the leaves of a book)
in·ser·tion [in-'sər-shən] -n, adj
- : something that is inserted: as
- the part of a muscle that inserts
- the mode or place of attachment of an organ or part
- embroidery or needlework inserted as ornament between two pieces of fabric
- a section of genetic material that is inserted into an existing gene sequence
- the act or process of inserting
- the mutational process producing a genetic insertion
inser·vice ['in-'sər-vəs] -adj
- going on or continuing while one is fully employed
- inservice teacher education workshops
- of, relating to, or being one that is fully employed
- inservice police officers
in·set ['in-,set] -n
- a place where something flows in : channel
- a setting or flowing in
- : something that is inset: as
- a small graphic representation (as a map or picture) set within a larger one
- a piece of cloth set into a garment (as for decoration)
- a part or section of a utensil that fits into an outer part
- set in
- to insert within something else in such a way as to be visible
- to provide with an inset
in·shore ['in-'shȯr] -adj
- situated, living, or carried on near shore
- moving toward shore
inshore -adv
- to or toward shore
- boats driven inshore by the storm
in·side [(,)in-'sīd, 'in-,] -n
- an interior or internal part or place : the part within
- inward nature, thoughts, or feeling
- viscera, entrails usu. used in pl.
- an inner side or surface
- a position of power, trust, or familiarity
- only someone on the inside could have told
- confidential information
- has the inside on what happened at the convention
- : the area nearest a specified or implied point of reference: as
- the side of home plate nearest the batter
- the middle portion of a playing area
- the area near or underneath the basket in basketball
inside -adv
- on the inner side
- in or into the interior
- stayed inside during the storm
- to or on the inside
- in prison
- of, relating to, or being on or near the inside
- relating or known to a select group
- behind-the-scenes
- in or into or as if in or into the interior of
- on the inner side of
- within
inside address -n
- address
inside of -prep
- inside
inside out -adv
- in such a manner that the inner surface becomes the outer
- turned the shirt inside out
- to a thorough degree
- knows the subject inside out
- in or into a state of disarray often involving drastic reorganization
- turned the business inside out
in·sid·er [(,)in-'sī-dər, 'in-,] -n
- : a person recognized or accepted as a member of a group, category, or organization: as
- a person who is in a position of power or has access to confidential information
- one (as an officer or director) who is in a position to have special knowledge of the affairs of or to influence the decisions of a company
insider trading -n
- the illegal use of information available only to insiders in order to make a profit in financial trading
inside track -n
- an advantageous competitive position
- the owner's son has the inside track for the job
in·sid·i·ous [in-'si-dē-əs] -adj, adv, n
- awaiting a chance to entrap : treacherous
- harmful but enticing : seductive
- having a gradual and cumulative effect : subtle
- the insidious pressures of modern life
- developing so gradually as to be well established before becoming apparent
in·sight ['in-,sīt] -n
- the power or act of seeing into a situation : penetration
- the act or result of apprehending the inner nature of things or of seeing intuitively
in·sight·ful ['in-,sīt-fəl, in-'] -adj, adv
- exhibiting or characterized by insight
in·sig·nia [in-'sig-nē-ə] -n
- a badge of authority or honor
- a distinguishing mark or sign
in·sig·nif·i·cance [,in(t)-sig-'ni-fi-kən(t)s] -n
- the quality or state of being insignificant
in·sig·nif·i·can·cy [-kən(t)-sē] -n
- insignificance
- an insignificant thing or person
in·sig·nif·i·cant [-kənt] -adj, adv
- : not significant: as
- lacking meaning or import : inconsequential
- not worth considering : unimportant
- lacking weight, position, or influence : contemptible
- small in size, quantity, or number
in·sin·cere [,in-sin-'sir, -sən-] -adj, adv, n
- not sincere : hypocritical
in·sin·u·ate [in-'sin-yə-,wāt, -yü-,āt] -vb, adj, n
- to introduce (as an idea) gradually or in a subtle, indirect, or covert way
- insinuate doubts into a trusting mind
- to impart or suggest in an artful or indirect way : imply
- I resent what you're insinuating
- to introduce (as oneself) by stealthy, smooth, or artful means
- to enter gently, slowly, or imperceptibly : creep
- to ingratiate oneself
insinuating -adj, adv
- winning favor and confidence by imperceptible degrees : ingratiating
- tending gradually to cause doubt, distrust, or change of outlook often in a slyly subtle manner
in·sin·u·a·tion [(,)in-,sin-yə-'wā-shən, -yü-'ā-] -n
- the act or process of insinuating
- something that is insinuated
- a sly, subtle, and usu. derogatory utterance
in·sip·id [in-'si-pəd] -adj, n, adv
- lacking taste or savor : tasteless
- lacking in qualities that interest, stimulate, or challenge : dull, flat
in·sist [in-'sist] -vb
- to be emphatic, firm, or resolute about something intended, demanded, or required
- persist
- to maintain in a persistent or positive manner
- insist ed that the story was true
in·sis·tence [in-'sis-tən(t)s] -n
- the act or an instance of insisting
- the quality or state of being insistent : urgency
in·sis·ten·cy [-tən(t)-sē] -n
- insistence
in·sis·tent [in-'sis-tənt] -adj, adv
- disposed to insist : persistent
- compelling attention
- the insistent pounding of the waves
in si·tu [(,)in-'sī-(,)tü, -'si-, -(,)tyü also -'sē-, -(,)chü] -adv or adj
- in the natural or original position or place
- an in situ cancer confined to the breast duct
in·so·bri·ety [,in-sə-'brī-ə-tē, -sō-] -n
- lack of sobriety or moderation
- intemperance in drinking
in·so·cia·ble [(,)in-'sō-shə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- not sociable
in·so·far [,in-sə-'fär] -adv
- to such extent or degree
insofar as -conj
- to the extent or degree that
- we agree only insofar as the budget is concerned
insol -abbr
- insoluble
in·so·la·tion [,in-(,)sō-'lā-shən] -n
- exposure to the sun's rays
- sunstroke
- solar radiation that has been received
- the rate of delivery of direct solar radiation per unit of horizontal surface
- that relating to total solar radiation
in·sole ['in-,sōl] -n
- an inside sole of a shoe
- a loose thin strip placed inside a shoe for warmth or comfort
in·so·lence ['in(t)-s(ə-)lən(t)s] -n
- the quality or state of being insolent
- an instance of insolent conduct or treatment
in·so·lent [-s(ə-)lənt] -adj, n, adv
- insultingly contemptuous in speech or conduct : overbearing
- exhibiting boldness or effrontery : impudent
in·sol·u·bi·lize [(,)in-'säl-yə-bə-,līz] -vt, n
- to make insoluble
in·sol·u·ble [(,)in-'säl-yə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- : not soluble: as
- indissoluble
- having or admitting of no solution or explanation
- incapable of being dissolved in a liquid and esp. water
- soluble only with difficulty or to a slight degree
in·solv·able [(,)in-'säl-və-bəl, -'sȯl-] -adj, adv
- admitting no solution
- an apparently insolvable problem
in·sol·ven·cy [(,)in-'säl-vən(t)-sē, -'sȯl-] -n
- the fact or state of being insolvent : inability to pay debts
in·sol·vent [(,)in-'säl-vənt, -'sȯl-] -adj, n
- unable to pay debts as they fall due in the usual course of business
- having liabilities in excess of a reasonable market value of assets held
- insufficient to pay all debts
- not up to a normal standard or complement : impoverished
- relating to or for the relief of insolvents
in·som·nia [in-'säm-nē-ə] -n, adj or n
- prolonged and usu. abnormal inability to obtain adequate sleep
in·so·much as [,in(t)-sō-'məch-] -conj
- inasmuch as
insomuch that -conj
- so
in·sou·ci·ance [in-'sü-sē-ən(t)s, aⁿ-süs-'yäⁿs] -n, adj, adv
- lighthearted unconcern : nonchalance
insp -abbr
- inspector
in·span [in-'span, 'in-,] -vb
- yoke, harness
in·spect [in-'spekt] -vb, adj
- to view closely in critical appraisal : look over
- to examine officially
- inspect s the barracks every Friday
- to make an inspection
in·spec·tion [in-'spek-shən] -n
- the act of inspecting
- recognition of a familiar pattern leading to immediate solution of a mathematical problem
- solve an equation by inspection
- a checking or testing of an individual against established standards
inspection arms -n
- a position in the manual of arms in which the rifle is held at port arms with the chamber open for inspection
- a command to assume this position
in·spec·tor [in-'spek-tər] -n
- a person employed to inspect something
- a police officer who is in charge of usu. several precincts and ranks below a superintendent or deputy superintendent
- a person appointed to oversee a polling place
in·spec·tor·ate [in-'spek-t(ə-)rət] -n
- the office, position, work, or district of an inspector
- a body of inspectors
inspector general -n
- a person who heads an inspectorate or a system of inspection (as of an army)
in·spi·ra·tion [,in(t)-spə-'rā-shən, -(,)spi-] -n, adj, adv
- a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation
- the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions
- the act of influencing or suggesting opinions
- the act of drawing in
- the drawing of air into the lungs
- the quality or state of being inspired
- something that is inspired
- a scheme that was pure inspiration
- an inspiring agent or influence
in·spi·ra·tor ['in(t)-spə-,rā-tər, -(,)spi-] -n
- one that inspires
- teachers who are inspirator s of the young
in·spi·ra·to·ry [in-'spī-rə-,tȯr-ē, 'in(t)-sp(ə-)rə-] -adj
- of, relating to, used for, or associated with inspiration
in·spire [in-'spī(-ə)r] -vb, n
- to influence, move, or guide by divine or supernatural inspiration
- to exert an animating, enlivening, or exalting influence on
- was particularly inspired by the Romanticists
- to spur on : impel, motivate
- threats don't necessarily inspire people to work
- affect
- seeing the old room again inspired him with nostalgia
- to breathe or blow into or upon
- to infuse (as life) by breathing
- to communicate to an agent supernaturally
- to draw forth or bring out
- thoughts inspired by a visit to the cathedral
- inhale
- bring about, occasion
- the book was inspired by his travels in the Far East
- incite
- to spread (rumor) by indirect means or through the agency of another
- inhale
inspired -adj
- outstanding or brilliant in a way or to a degree suggestive of divine inspiration
- gave an inspired performance
inspiring -adj
- having an animating or exalting effect
in·spir·it [in-'spir-ət] -vt, adv
- to fill with spirit
in·spis·sate [in-'spi-,sāt, 'in(t)-spə-,sāt] -vt, n
- to make thick or thicker
in·spis·sat·ed [in-'spi-,sā-təd, 'in(t)-spə-,sā-] -adj
- thickened in consistency
- made or having become thick, heavy, or intense
inst -abbr
- instant
- institute; institution; institutional
in·sta·bil·i·ty [,in(t)-stə-'bi-lə-tē] -n
- the quality or state of being unstable
- lack of emotional or mental stability
in·sta·ble [(,)in-'stā-bəl] -adj
- unstable
in·stal [in-'stȯl] -vt, n
(variant of install)
- to place in an office or dignity by seating in a stall or official seat
- to induct into an office, rank, or order
- install ed the new president
- to establish in an indicated place, condition, or status
- install ing herself in front of the fireplace
- to set up for use or service
- had an exhaust fan install ed in the kitchen
in·stall [in-'stȯl] -vt, n
- to place in an office or dignity by seating in a stall or official seat
- to induct into an office, rank, or order
- install ed the new president
- to establish in an indicated place, condition, or status
- install ing herself in front of the fireplace
- to set up for use or service
- had an exhaust fan install ed in the kitchen
in·stal·la·tion [,in(t)-stə-'lā-shən] -n
- the act of installing : the state of being installed
- something that is installed for use
- a military camp, fort, or base
- a work of art that usu. consists of multiple components often in mixed media and that is exhibited in a usu. large space in an arrangement specified by the artist
in·stall·ment [in-'stȯl-mənt] -n
- installation
installment -n, adj
- one of the parts into which a debt is divided when payment is made at intervals
- one of several parts (as of a publication) presented at intervals
- one part of a serial story
installment plan -n
- a system of paying for goods by installments
in·stance ['in(t)-stən(t)s] -n
- urgent or earnest solicitation
- instigation, request
- am writing to you at the instance of my client
- an impelling cause or motive
- exception
- an individual illustrative of a category or brought forward in support or disproof of a generalization
- token, sign
- the institution and prosecution of a lawsuit : suit
- a step, stage, or situation viewed as part of a process or series of events
- prefers, in this instance, to remain anonymous -- Times Lit. Supp.
instance -vt
- to illustrate or demonstrate by an instance
- to mention as a case or example : cite
in·stan·cy ['in(t)-stən(t)-sē] -n
- urgency, insistence
- nearness of approach : imminence
- immediacy of occurrence or action : instantaneousness
in·stant ['in(t)-stənt] -n
- an infinitesimal space of time
- a point in time separating two states
- the present or current month
instant -adj, n
- importunate, urgent
- present, current
- previous felonies not related to the instant crime
- of or occurring in the present month abbr. inst
- immediate, direct
- the play was an instant success
- premixed or precooked for easy final preparation
- appearing in or as if in ready-to-use form
- immediately soluble in water
- produced or occurring with or as if with extreme rapidity and ease
in·stan·ta·neous [,in(t)-stən-'tā-nē-əs, -nyəs] -adj, n, adv
- done, occurring, or acting without any perceptible duration of time
- done without any delay being purposely introduced
- took instantaneous corrective action
- occurring or present at a particular instant
in·stan·ter [in-'stan-tər] -adv
- at once
in·stan·ti·ate [in-'stan(t)-shē-,āt] -vt, n
- to represent (an abstraction) by a concrete instance
- heroes instantiate ideals -- W. J. Bennett
in·stant·ly ['in(t)-stənt-lē] -adv
- with importunity : urgently
- without the least delay : immediately
instantly -conj
- as soon as
- he ran across the grass instantly he perceived his mother -- W. M. Thackeray
instant messaging -n, n or vb
- a means or system for transmitting electronic messages instantly
instant replay -n
- a video recording of an action (as a play in football) that can be played back (as in slow motion) immediately after the action has been completed
- the playing of such a recording
in·star ['in-,stär] -n
- a stage in the life of an arthropod (as an insect) between two successive molts
- an individual in a specified instar
in·state [in-'stāt] -vt
- invest, endow
- bestow, confer
- to set or establish in a rank or office : install
in sta·tu quo [in-,stā-(,)tü-'kwō, -,sta-; -,sta-(,)chü-] -adv
- in the former or same state
in·stau·ra·tion [,in-,stȯ-'rā-shən, ,in(t)-stə-] -n
- restoration after decay, lapse, or dilapidation
- an act of instituting or establishing something
in·stead [in-'sted] -adv
- as a substitute or equivalent
- was going to write but called instead
- as an alternative to something expressed or implied : rather
- longed instead for a quiet country life
in·stead of [in-'ste-də(v), -'sti-] -prep
- in place of : as a substitute for or alternative to
- chose tea instead of coffee
in·step ['in-,step] -n
- the arched middle portion of the human foot in front of the ankle joint
- its upper surface
- the part of a shoe or stocking that fits over the instep
in·sti·gate ['in(t)-stə-,gāt] -vt, n, adj
- to goad or urge forward : provoke
in·stil [in-'stil] -vt, n
(variant of instill)
- to cause to enter drop by drop
- instill medication into the infected eye
- to impart gradually
- instill ing a love of learning in children
in·still [in-'stil] -vt, n
- to cause to enter drop by drop
- instill medication into the infected eye
- to impart gradually
- instill ing a love of learning in children
in·stinct ['in-,stiŋ(k)t] -n, adj, adv
- a natural or inherent aptitude, impulse, or capacity
- had an instinct for the right word
- a largely inheritable and unalterable tendency of an organism to make a complex and specific response to environmental stimuli without involving reason
- behavior that is mediated by reactions below the conscious level
- impelled by an inner or animating or exciting agency
- profoundly imbued : infused
- my mood, instinct with romance -- S. J. Perelman
in·stinc·tive [in-'stiŋ(k)-tiv] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or being instinct
- prompted by natural instinct or propensity : arising spontaneously
- an instinctive fear of innovation -- V. L. Parrington
in·sti·tute ['in(t)-stə-,tüt, -,tyüt] -vt, n
- to establish in a position or office
- to originate and get established : organize
- to set going : inaugurate
- instituting an investigation
institute -n
- : something that is instituted: as
- an elementary principle recognized as authoritative
- a collection of such principles and precepts
- a legal compendium
- an organization for the promotion of a cause : association
- an institute for the blind
- an educational institution and esp. one devoted to technical fields
- a usu. brief intensive course of instruction on selected topics relating to a particular field
- an urban studies institute
in·sti·tu·tion [,in(t)-stə-'tü-shən, -'tyü-] -n
- an act of instituting : establishment
- a significant practice, relationship, or organization in a society or culture
- the institution of marriage
- something or someone firmly associated with a place or thing
- she has become an institution in the theater
- an established organization or corporation (as a bank or university) esp. of a public character
- asylum
in·sti·tu·tion·al [,in(t)-stə-'t(y)ü-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl] -adj, adv
- of or relating to an institution
- characteristic of or appropriate to institutions
- bland institutional cooking
- institutional green walls
in·sti·tu·tion·al·ise [-shnə-,līz, -shə-nə-,līz] -vt, n
(variant of institutionalize)
- to make into an institution : give character of an institution to
- institutionalized housing
- to incorporate into a structured and often highly formalized system
- to put in the care of an institution
- institutionalize alcoholics
in·sti·tu·tion·al·ism [-shnə-,li-zəm, -shə-nə-,li-zəm] -n
- emphasis on organization (as in religion) at the expense of other factors
- public institutional care of disabled, delinquent, or dependent persons
- an economic school of thought that emphasizes the role of social institutions in influencing economic behavior
in·sti·tu·tion·al·ize [-shnə-,līz, -shə-nə-,līz] -vt, n
- to make into an institution : give character of an institution to
- institutionalized housing
- to incorporate into a structured and often highly formalized system
- to put in the care of an institution
- institutionalize alcoholics
instore ['in-'stȯr] -adj
- relating to or being an operation or activity located or taking place inside a store
instr -abbr
- instructor
- instrument; instrumental
in·struct [in-'strəkt] -vt
- to give knowledge to : teach, train
- to provide with authoritative information or advice
- the judge instruct ed the jury
- to give an order or command to : direct
in·struc·tion [in-'strək-shən] -n, adj
- precept
- prevailing cultural instruction s
- a direction calling for compliance : order usu. used in pl.
- had instruction s not to admit strangers
- an outline or manual of technical procedure : directions
- a code that tells a computer to perform a particular operation
- the action, practice, or profession of teaching
in·struc·tive [in-'strək-tiv] -adj, adv, n
- carrying a lesson : enlightening
in·struc·tor [in-'strək-tər] -n
- one that instructs : teacher
- a college teacher below professorial rank
in·struc·tress [-'strək-trəs] -n
- a woman who is an instructor
in·stru·ment ['in(t)-strə-mənt] -n
- a device used to produce music
- a singing voice
- a means whereby something is achieved, performed, or furthered
- one used by another as a means or aid : dupe, tool
- implement
- one designed for precision work
- a formal legal document (as a deed, bond, or agreement)
- a measuring device for determining the present value of a quantity under observation
- an electrical or mechanical device used in navigating an airplane
- such a device used as the sole means of navigating
- to address a legal instrument to
- to score for musical performance : orchestrate
- to equip with instruments esp. for measuring and recording data
in·stru·men·tal [,in(t)-strə-'men-tᵊl] -adj, n, adv
- serving as a crucial means, agent, or tool
- was instrumental in organizing the strike
- of, relating to, or done with an instrument or tool
- relating to, composed for, or performed on a musical instrument
- of, relating to, or being a grammatical case or form expressing means or agency
- of or relating to instrumentalism
- operant
- instrumental conditioning
in·stru·men·tal·ism [-,i-zəm] -n
- a doctrine that ideas are instruments of action and that their usefulness determines their truth
in·stru·men·tal·ist [-ist] -n, adj
- a player on a musical instrument
- an exponent of instrumentalism
in·stru·men·tal·i·ty [,in(t)-strə-mən-'ta-lə-tē, -,men-] -n
- the quality or state of being instrumental
- means, agency
in·stru·men·ta·tion [,in(t)-strə-mən-'tā-shən, -,men-] -n
- the arrangement or composition of music for instruments esp. for a band or orchestra
- the use or application of instruments (as for observation, measurement, or control)
- instruments for a particular purpose
- a selection or arrangement of instruments
instrument flying -n
- navigation of an airplane by instruments only
instrument landing -n
- a landing made with limited visibility by means of instruments and by ground radio direction
instrument panel -n
- a panel on which instruments are mounted
- dashboard
in·sub·or·di·nate [,in(t)-sə-'bȯr-də-nət, -'bȯrd-nət] -adj, n, adv
- disobedient to authority
in·sub·stan·tial [,in(t)-səb-'stan(t)-shəl] -adj, n
- : not substantial: as
- lacking substance or material nature
- lacking firmness or solidity : flimsy
in·suf·fer·able [(,)in-'sə-f(ə-)rə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- not to be endured : intolerable
in·suf·fi·cien·cy [,in(t)-sə-'fi-shən(t)-sē] -n
- : the quality or state of being insufficient: as
- lack of mental or moral fitness : incompetence
- the insufficiency of this person for public office
- lack of adequate supply
- insufficiency of provisions
- lack of physical power or capacity
- inability of an organ or body part to function normally
- something that is insufficient or falls short of expectations
in·suf·fi·cient [,in(t)-sə-'fi-shənt] -adj, adv
- not sufficient : inadequate
- lacking adequate power, capacity, or competence
in·suf·fla·tion [,in(t)-sə-'flā-shən, in-,sə-'flā-] -n, vt
- : an act or the action of blowing on, into, or in: as
- a Christian ceremonial rite of exorcism performed by breathing on a person
- the act of blowing something (as a gas, powder, or vapor) into a body cavity
in·su·lant ['in(t)-sə-lənt] -n
- insulation
in·su·lar ['in(t)-su̇-lər, -syu̇-, 'in-shə-lər] -adj, n, adv
- of, relating to, or constituting an island
- dwelling or situated on an island
- characteristic of an isolated people
- being, having, or reflecting a narrow provincial viewpoint
- of or relating to an island of cells or tissue
in·su·late ['in(t)-sə-,lāt] -vt
- to place in a detached situation : isolate
- to separate from conducting bodies by means of nonconductors so as to prevent transfer of electricity, heat, or sound
in·su·la·tion [,in(t)-sə-'lā-shən] -n
- the action of insulating
- the state of being insulated
- material used in insulating
in·su·la·tor ['in(t)-sə-,lā-tər] -n
- : one that insulates: as
- a material that is a poor conductor (as of electricity or heat)
- a device made of an electrical insulating material and used for separating or supporting conductors
in·su·lin ['in(t)-s(ə-)lən] -n
- a protein pancreatic hormone secreted by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans that is essential esp. for the metabolism of carbohydrates and the regulation of glucose levels in the blood and that when insufficiently produced results in diabetes mellitus
insulindependent diabetes -n
- type 1 diabetes
insulindependent diabetes mellitus -n
- type 1 diabetes abbr. IDDM
insulinlike growth factor -n
- either of two polypeptides structurally similar to insulin that are secreted either during fetal development or during childhood and that mediate growth hormone activity
insulin resistance -n
- reduced sensitivity to insulin by the body's insulin-dependent processes (as glucose uptake and lipolysis) that is typical of type 2 diabetes but often occurs in the absence of diabetes
insulin resistance syndrome -n
- metabolic syndrome
insulin shock -n
- severe hypoglycemia that is associated with the presence of excessive insulin in the system and that if left untreated may result in convulsions and progressive development of coma
in·sult [in-'səlt] -vb, n, adv
- to behave with pride or arrogance : vaunt
- to treat with insolence, indignity, or contempt : affront
- to affect offensively or damagingly
- doggerel that insult s the reader's intelligence
- a gross indignity
- injury to the body or one of its parts
- something that causes or has a potential for causing such insult
- pollution and other environmental insult s
in·su·per·a·ble [(,)in-'sü-p(ə-)rə-bəl] -adj, adv
- incapable of being surmounted, overcome, passed over, or solved
in·sup·port·able [,in(t)-sə-'pȯr-tə-bəl] -adj, adv
- : not supportable:
- more than can be endured
- impossible to justify
in·sup·press·ible [,in(t)-sə-'pre-sə-bəl] -adj
- irrepressible
insur -abbr
- insurance
in·sur·able [in-'shu̇r-ə-bəl] -adj, n
- that may be insured
in·sur·ance [in-'shu̇r-ən(t)s also 'in-,] -n
- the business of insuring persons or property
- coverage by contract whereby one party undertakes to indemnify or guarantee another against loss by a specified contingency or peril
- the sum for which something is insured
- a means of guaranteeing protection or safety
- the contract is your insurance against price changes
insurance -adj
- being a score that adds to a team's lead and makes it impossible for the opposing team to tie the game with its next score
in·sure [in-'shu̇r] -vb
- to provide or obtain insurance on or for
- to make certain esp. by taking necessary measures and precautions
- to contract to give or take insurance
insured -n
- a person whose life or property is insured
in·sur·er [in-'shu̇r-ər] -n
- one that insures
- an insurance underwriter
in·sur·gence [in-'sər-jən(t)s] -n
- an act or the action of being insurgent : insurrection
in·sur·gen·cy [-jən(t)-sē] -n
- the quality or state of being insurgent
- a condition of revolt against a government that is less than an organized revolution and that is not recognized as belligerency
- insurgence
in·sur·gent [-jənt] -n
- a person who revolts against civil authority or an established government
- a rebel not recognized as a belligerent
- one who acts contrary to the policies and decisions of one's own political party
insurgent -adj, adv
- rising in opposition to civil authority or established leadership : rebellious
in·sur·mount·able [,in(t)-sər-'mau̇n-tə-bəl] -adj, adv
- incapable of being surmounted : insuperable
in·sur·rec·tion [,in(t)-sə-'rek-shən] -n, adj, adj or n
- an act or instance of revolting against civil authority or an established government
in·sus·cep·ti·ble [,in(t)-sə-'sep-tə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- not susceptible
- insusceptible to flattery
int -abbr
- intelligence
- intercept
- interest
- interim
- interior
- interjection
- intermediate
- internal
- international
- interpreter
- intersection
- interval
- interview
- intransitive
in·tact [in-'takt] -adj, n
- untouched esp. by anything that harms or diminishes : entire, uninjured
- : having no relevant component removed or destroyed:
- physically virginal
- not castrated
in·ta·glio [in-'tal-(,)yō, -'täl-; -'ta-glē-,ō, -'tä-] -n
- an engraving or incised figure in stone or other hard material depressed below the surface so that an impression from the design yields an image in relief
- the art or process of executing intaglios
- printing (as in die stamping and gravure) done from a plate in which the image is sunk below the surface
- something (as a gem) carved in intaglio
in·take ['in-,tāk] -n
- an opening through which fluid enters an enclosure
- a taking in
- the amount taken in
- something (as energy) taken in : input
in·tan·gi·ble [(,)in-'tan-jə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- not tangible : impalpable
- education's intangible benefits
intangible -n
- : something intangible: as
- an asset (as goodwill) that is not corporeal
- an abstract quality or attribute (as loyalty or creativity)
in·tar·sia [in-'tär-sē-ə] -n
- a mosaic usu. of wood fitted into a support
- the art or process of making such a mosaic
- a colored design knitted on both sides of a fabric
in·te·ger ['in-ti-jər] -n
- any of the natural numbers, the negatives of these numbers, or zero
- a complete entity
in·te·gra·ble ['in-ti-grə-bəl] -adj, n
- capable of being integrated
in·te·gral ['in-ti-grəl (usu so in mathematics); in-'te-grəl also -'tē- also ÷'in-trə-gəl] -adj, n, adv
- essential to completeness : constituent
- an integral part of the curriculum
- being, containing, or relating to one or more mathematical integers
- relating to or concerned with mathematical integrals or integration
- formed as a unit with another part
- a seat with integral headrest
- composed of integral parts
- lacking nothing essential : entire
integral -n
- the result of a mathematical integration
integral calculus -n
- a branch of mathematics concerned with the theory and applications (as in the determination of lengths, areas, and volumes and in the solution of differential equations) of integrals and integration
integral domain -n
- a mathematical ring in which multiplication is commutative, which has a multiplicative identity element, and which contains no pair of nonzero elements whose product is zero
- the integers under the operations of addition and multiplication form an integral domain
in·te·grand ['in-tə-,grand] -n
- a mathematical expression to be integrated
in·te·grate ['in-tə-,grāt] -vb
- to form, coordinate, or blend into a functioning or unified whole : unite
- to find the integral of (as a function or equation)
- to unite with something else
- to incorporate into a larger unit
- to end the segregation of and bring into equal membership in society or an organization
- desegregate
- integrate school districts
- to become integrated
integrated -adj
- marked by the unified control of all aspects of industrial production from raw materials through distribution of finished products
- characterized by integration and esp. racial integration
integrated circuit -n
- a tiny complex of electronic components and their connections that is produced in or on a small slice of material (as silicon)
integrated pest management -n
- management of agricultural and horticultural pests that minimizes the use of chemicals and emphasizes natural and low-toxicity methods (as the use of crop rotation and beneficial predatory insects)
in·te·gra·tion [,in-tə-'grā-shən] -n
- : the act or process or an instance of integrating: as
- incorporation as equals into society or an organization of individuals of different groups (as races)
- coordination of mental processes into a normal effective personality or with the individual's environment
- the operation of finding a function whose differential is known
- the operation of solving a differential equation
in·te·gra·tion·ist [-sh(ə-)nist] -n, adj
- a person who believes in, advocates, or practices social integration
in·te·gra·tive ['in-tə-,grā-tiv] -adj
- serving to integrate or favoring integration : directed toward integration
- the integrative powers of the human imagination -- J. A. McPherson
in·te·gra·tor [-,grā-tər] -n
- one that integrates
- a device or computer unit that totalizes variable quantities in a manner comparable to mathematical integration
in·teg·ri·ty [in-'te-grə-tē] -n
- firm adherence to a code of esp. moral or artistic values : incorruptibility
- an unimpaired condition : soundness
- the quality or state of being complete or undivided : completeness
in·teg·u·ment [in-'te-gyə-mənt] -n, adj
- something that covers or encloses
- an enveloping layer (as a skin, membrane, or cuticle) of an organism or one of its parts
intel -abbr
- intelligence
in·tel·lect ['in-tə-,lekt] -n
- the power of knowing as distinguished from the power to feel and to will : the capacity for knowledge
- the capacity for rational or intelligent thought esp. when highly developed
- a person with great intellectual powers
in·tel·lec·tion [,in-tə-'lek-shən] -n
- an act of the intellect : thought
- exercise of the intellect : reasoning
in·tel·lec·tive [-'lek-tiv] -adj, adv
- having, relating to, or belonging to the intellect : rational
in·tel·lec·tu·al [,in-tə-'lek-chə-wəl, -chəl, -shwəl, -chü(-ə)l] -adj, n, adv
- of or relating to the intellect or its use
- developed or chiefly guided by the intellect rather than by emotion or experience : rational
- requiring use of the intellect
- given to study, reflection, and speculation
- engaged in activity requiring the creative use of the intellect
intellectual -n
- intellectual powers
- an intellectual person
in·tel·lec·tu·al·ism [,in-tə-'lek-chə-wə-,li-zəm, -chə-,li-, -shwə-,li-, -chü(-ə)-,li-] -n, n or adj, adj
- devotion to the exercise of intellect or to intellectual pursuits
in·tel·lec·tu·al·ize [,in-tə-'lek-chə-wə-,līz, -chə-,līz, -shwə-,līz, -chü(-ə)-,līz] -vt, n
- to give rational form or content to
intellectual property -n
- property (as an idea, invention, or process) that derives from the work of the mind or intellect
- an application, right, or registration relating to this
in·tel·li·gence [in-'te-lə-jən(t)s] -n
- the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new or trying situations : reason
- the skilled use of reason
- the ability to apply knowledge to manipulate one's environment or to think abstractly as measured by objective criteria (as tests)
- the basic eternal quality of divine Mind
- mental acuteness : shrewdness
- an intelligent entity
- angel
- intelligent minds or mind
- the act of understanding : comprehension
- information, news
- information concerning an enemy or possible enemy or an area
- an agency engaged in obtaining such information
- the ability to perform computer functions
intelligence quotient -n
- IQ
in·tel·li·genc·er [in-'te-lə-jən(t)-sər; -'te-lə-,jen(t)-, -,te-lə-'] -n
- a secret agent : spy
- a bringer of news : reporter
intelligence test -n
- a test designed to determine the relative mental capacity of a person
in·tel·li·gent [in-'te-lə-jənt] -adj, adv
- having or indicating a high or satisfactory degree of intelligence and mental capacity
- revealing or reflecting good judgment or sound thought : skillful
- possessing intelligence
- guided or directed by intellect : rational
- guided or controlled by a computer
- using a built-in microprocessor for automatic operation, for processing of data, or for achieving greater versatility
- able to produce printed material from digital signals
intelligent design -n
- the theory that matter, the various forms of life, and the world were created by a designing intelligence
in·tel·li·gent·sia [in-,te-lə-'jen(t)-sē-ə, -'gen(t)-] -n
- intellectuals who form an artistic, social, or political vanguard or elite
in·tel·li·gi·ble [in-'te-lə-jə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- apprehensible by the intellect only
- capable of being understood or comprehended
- jargon intelligible only to the initiated
in·tem·per·ance [(,)in-'tem-p(ə-)rən(t)s] -n
- lack of moderation
- habitual or excessive drinking of intoxicants
in·tem·per·ate [-p(ə-)rət] -adj, adv, n
- not temperate
- given to excessive use of intoxicating liquors
in·tend [in-'tend] -vb, n
- to direct the mind on
- to proceed on (a course)
- signify, mean
- to refer to
- to have in mind as a purpose or goal : plan
- to design for a specified use or future
- set out, start
in·ten·dance [in-'ten-dən(t)s] -n
- management, superintendence
- an administrative department
in·ten·dant [-dənt] -n
- an administrative official (as a governor) esp. under the French, Spanish, or Portuguese monarchies
intended -adj, adv
- expected to be such in the future
- intentional
- the person to whom another is engaged
intending -adj
- prospective, aspiring
in·tend·ment [in-'ten(d)-mənt] -n
- the true meaning or intention esp. of a law
in·ten·er·ate [in-'te-nə-,rāt] -vt, n
- to make tender : soften
in·tense [in-'ten(t)s] -adj, adv, n
- existing in an extreme degree
- the excitement was intense
- having or showing a characteristic in extreme degree
- marked by or expressive of great zeal, energy, determination, or concentration
- exhibiting strong feeling or earnestness of purpose
- deeply felt
in·ten·si·fi·er [in-'ten(t)-sə-,fī(-ə)r] -n
- one that intensifies
- intensive
in·ten·si·fy [in-'ten(t)-sə-,fī] -vb, n
- to make intense or more intensive : strengthen
- to increase the density and contrast of (a photographic image) by chemical treatment
- to make more acute : sharpen
- to become intense or more intensive : grow stronger or more acute
in·ten·sion [in-'ten(t)-shən] -n, adj, adv
- intensity
- connotation
in·ten·si·ty [in-'ten(t)-sə-tē] -n
- the quality or state of being intense
- extreme degree of strength, force, energy, or feeling
- the magnitude of a quantity (as force or energy) per unit (as of area, charge, mass, or time)
- saturation
in·ten·sive [in-'ten(t)-siv] -adj, adv, n
- : of, relating to, or marked by intensity or intensification: as
- highly concentrated
- tending to strengthen or increase
- tending to give force or emphasis
- constituting or relating to a method designed to increase productivity by the expenditure of more capital and labor rather than by increase in scope
intensive -n
- an intensive linguistic element
intensive care -n
- continuous monitoring and treatment of seriously ill patients using special medical equipment and services
- a unit in a hospital providing intensive care
- heart patients in intensive care
in·tent [in-'tent] -n
- the act or fact of intending : purpose
- the design or purpose to commit a wrongful or criminal act
- admitted wounding him with intent
- the state of mind with which an act is done : volition
- a usu. clearly formulated or planned intention : aim
- meaning, significance
- connotation
intent -adj, adv, n
- directed with strained or eager attention : concentrated
- having the mind, attention, or will concentrated on something or some end or purpose
in·ten·tion [in-'ten(t)-shən] -n
- a determination to act in a certain way : resolve
- import, significance
- what one intends to do or bring about
- the object for which a prayer, mass, or pious act is offered
- a process or manner of healing of incised wounds
- concept
- a concept considered as the product of attention directed to an object of knowledge
- purpose with respect to marriage
in·ten·tion·al [in-'tench-nəl, -'ten(t)-shə-nᵊl] -adj, n, adv
- done by intention or design : intended
- of or relating to epistemological intention
- having external reference
in·ter [in-'tər] -vt
- to deposit (a dead body) in the earth or in a tomb
inter- -prefix
- between : among : in the midst
- reciprocal: reciprocally
- located between
- carried on between
- occurring between: intervening
- shared by, involving, or derived from two or more
- between the limits of : within
- existing between
in·ter·act [,in-tər-'akt] -vi
- to act upon one another
in·ter·ac·tant [-'ak-tənt] -n
- one that interacts
in·ter·ac·tion [,in-tər-'ak-shən] -n, adj
- mutual or reciprocal action or influence
in·ter·ac·tive [-'ak-tiv] -adj, adv, n
- mutually or reciprocally active
- involving the actions or input of a user
- of, relating to, or being a two-way electronic communication system (as a telephone, cable television, or a computer) that involves a user's orders (as for information or merchandise) or responses (as to a poll)
in·ter alia [,in-tər-'ā-lē-ə, -'ä-] -adv
- among other things
in·ter ali·os [-lē-,ōs] -adv
- among other persons
in·ter·al·lied [,in-tər-'a-,līd, -ə-'līd] -adj
- relating to, composed of, or involving allies
in·ter·breed [,in-tər-'brēd] -vb
- : to breed together: as
- crossbreed
- to breed within a closed population
- to cause to breed together
in·ter·ca·la·ry [in-'tər-kə-,ler-ē, ,in-tər-'ka-lə-rē] -adj
- inserted in a calendar
- containing an intercalary period (as a day or month)
- inserted between other things or parts : interpolated
in·ter·ca·late [in-'tər-kə-,lāt] -vt, n
- to insert (as a day) in a calendar
- to insert between or among existing elements or layers
in·ter·cede [,in-tər-'sēd] -vi, n
- to intervene between parties with a view to reconciling differences : mediate
in·ter·cen·sal [,in-tər-'sen(t)-səl] -adj
- occurring between censuses
in·ter·cept [,in-tər-'sept] -vt
- prevent, hinder
- to stop, seize, or interrupt in progress or course or before arrival
- to receive (a communication or signal directed elsewhere) usu. secretly
- to interrupt communication or connection with
- to include (part of a curve, surface, or solid) between two points, curves, or surfaces
- the part of a circumference intercept ed between two radii
- to gain possession of (an opponent's pass)
- to intercept a pass thrown by (an opponent)
- the distance from the origin to a point where a graph crosses a coordinate axis
- interception
- the interception of a missile by an interceptor or of a target by a missile
- a message, code, or signal that is intercepted (as by monitoring radio communications)
in·ter·cep·tion [,in-tər-'sep-shən] -n
- the action of intercepting
- the state of being intercepted
- something that is intercepted
- an intercepted forward pass
in·ter·cep·tor [,in-tər-'sep-tər] -n
- one that intercepts
- a light high-speed fast-climbing fighter plane or missile designed for defense against raiding bombers or missiles
in·ter·ces·sion [,in-tər-'se-shən] -n, adj
- the act of interceding
- prayer, petition, or entreaty in favor of another
in·ter·change [,in-tər-'chānj] -vb, n
- to put each of (two things) in the place of the other
- exchange
- to change places mutually
- the act, process, or an instance of interchanging : exchange
- a junction of two or more highways by a system of separate levels that permit traffic to pass from one to another without the crossing of traffic streams
in·ter·change·able [,in-tər-'chān-jə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- capable of being interchanged
- permitting mutual substitution
in·ter·col·le·giate [,in-tər-kə-'lē-jət, -jē-ət] -adj
- existing, carried on, or participating in activities between colleges
- intercollegiate athletics
in·ter·co·lum·ni·a·tion [,in-tər-kə-,ləm-nē-'ā-shən] -n
- the clear space between the columns of a series
- the system of spacing of the columns of a colonnade
in·ter·com ['in-tər-,käm] -n
- a two-way communication system with a microphone and loudspeaker at each station for localized use
in·ter·com·mu·ni·cate [,in-tər-kə-'myü-nə-,kāt] -vi, n
- to exchange communication with one another
- to afford passage from one to another
intercommunication system -n
- intercom
in·ter·com·mu·nion [,in-tər-kə-'myü-nyən] -n
- interdenominational participation in communion
in·ter·con·nect [,in-tər-kə-'nekt] -vt, n
- to connect with one another
- to be or become mutually connected
interconnected -adj, n
- mutually joined or related
- interconnected political issues
- having internal connections between the parts or elements
in·ter·con·ti·nen·tal [,in-tər-,kän-tə-'nen-tᵊl] -adj
- extending among continents or carried on between continents
- capable of traveling between continents
- intercontinental ballistic missile
in·ter·con·ver·sion [,in-tər-kən-'vər-zhən, -shən] -n, vt, adj
- mutual conversion
- interconversion of chemical compounds
in·ter·cool·er [,in-tər-'kü-lər] -n
- a device for cooling a fluid (as air) between successive heat-generating processes
in·ter·cos·tal [,in-tər-'käs-tᵊl] -adj, n
- situated or extending between the ribs
in·ter·course ['in-tər-,kȯrs] -n
- connection or dealings between persons or groups
- exchange esp. of thoughts or feelings : communion
- physical sexual contact between individuals that involves the genitalia of at least one person
- sexual intercourse
in·ter·crop [,in-tər-'kräp, 'in-tər-,] -vt, n
- to grow a crop in between (another)
- to grow two or more crops simultaneously (as in alternate rows) on the same plot
in·ter·cross [,in-tər-'krȯs] -vt
- cross
- interbreed, hybridize
- an instance or a product of crossbreeding
in·ter·cur·rent [,in-tər-'kər-ənt, -'kə-rənt] -adj
- occurring during and modifying the course of another disease
- an intercurrent infection
in·ter·cut [,in-tər-'kət] -vt
- to insert (a contrasting camera shot) into a take by cutting
- to insert a contrasting camera shot into (a take) by cutting
- to alternate contrasting camera shots by cutting
in·ter·den·tal [,in-tər-'den-tᵊl] -adj, adv
- situated or intended for use between the teeth
- formed with the tip of the tongue between the upper and lower front teeth
in·ter·dict ['in-tər-,dikt] -n
- a Roman Catholic ecclesiastical censure withdrawing most sacraments and Christian burial from a person or district
- a prohibitory decree
- to lay under or prohibit by an interdict
- to forbid in a usu. formal or authoritative manner
- to destroy, damage, or cut off (as an enemy line of supply) by firepower to stop or hamper an enemy
- intercept
in·ter·dif·fu·sion [-di-'fyü-zhən] -n, vi
- the process of diffusing and mixing freely so as to approach a homogeneous mixture
in·ter·dig·i·tate [-'di-jə-,tāt] -vi, n
- to become interlocked like the fingers of folded hands
in·ter·dis·ci·plin·ary [-'di-sə-plə-,ner-ē] -adj, n
- involving two or more academic, scientific, or artistic disciplines
in·ter·est ['in-t(ə-)rəst; 'in-tə-,rest, -,trest; 'in-tərst] -n
- right, title, or legal share in something
- participation in advantage and responsibility
- business, company
- a charge for borrowed money generally a percentage of the amount borrowed
- the profit in goods or money that is made on invested capital
- an excess above what is due or expected
- returned the insults with interest
- advantage, benefit
- self-interest
- special interest
- a feeling that accompanies or causes special attention to an object or class of objects : concern
- something that arouses such attention
- a quality in a thing arousing interest
interest -vt
- to induce or persuade to participate or engage
- to engage the attention or arouse the interest of
in·ter·est·ed ['in-t(ə-)rəs-təd; 'in-tə-,res-, 'in-,tres-; 'in-tərs-] -adj, adv
- having the attention engaged
- being affected or involved
interest group -n
- a group of persons having a common identifying interest that often provides a basis for action
in·ter·est·ing ['in-t(ə-)rəs-tiŋ; 'in-tə-,res-, 'in-,tres-; 'in-tərs-] -adj, n
- holding the attention : arousing interest
in·ter·est·ing·ly [-lē] -adv
- in an interesting manner
- as a matter of interest
in·ter·face ['in-tər-,fās] -n, adj
- a surface forming a common boundary of two bodies, spaces, or phases
- the place at which independent and often unrelated systems meet and act on or communicate with each other
- the man-machine interface
- the means by which interaction or communication is achieved at an interface
interface -vt
- to connect by means of an interface
- interface a machine with a computer
- to serve as an interface for
- to become interfaced
- to interact or coordinate harmoniously
in·ter·fac·ing [-,fā-siŋ] -n
- fabric sewn between the facing and the outside of a garment (as in a collar or cuff) for stiffening and shape retention
in·ter·faith [,in-tər-'fāth] -adj
- involving persons of different religious faiths
in·ter·fere [,in-tə(r)-'fir] -vi, n
- to interpose in a way that hinders or impedes : come into collision or be in opposition
- to strike one foot against the opposite foot or ankle in walking or running used esp. of horses
- to enter into or take a part in the concerns of others
- to act reciprocally so as to augment, diminish, or otherwise affect one another used of waves
in·ter·fer·ence [-'fir-ən(t)s] -n, adj
- the act or process of interfering
- something that interferes : obstruction
- the mutual effect on meeting of two wave trains (as of light or sound) that constitutes alternating areas of increased and decreased amplitude (as light and dark lines or louder and softer sound)
- the legal blocking of an opponent in football to make way for the ballcarrier
- the illegal hindering of an opponent in sports
- partial or complete inhibition or sometimes facilitation of other genetic crossovers in the vicinity of a chromosomal locus where a preceding crossover has occurred
- confusion of a received radio signal due to the presence of noise (as atmospherics) or signals from two or more transmitters on a single frequency
- something that produces such confusion
- the disturbing effect of new learning on the performance of previously learned behavior with which it is inconsistent
in·ter·fer·o·gram [,in-tə(r)-'fir-ə-,gram] -n
- a photographic record made by an apparatus for recording optical interference phenomena
in·ter·fer·om·e·ter [,in-tə(r)-fə-'rä-mə-tər, -,fi-'rä-] -n, adj, adv
- an apparatus that utilizes the interference of waves (as of light) for precise determinations (as of distance or wavelength)
in·ter·fer·on [,in-tə(r)-'fir-,än] -n
- any of a group of heat-stable soluble basic antiviral glycoprotein cytokines of low molecular weight that are produced by cells exposed usu. to the action of a virus, sometimes to the action of another intracellular parasite (as a bacterium), or experimentally to the action of some chemicals
interferon alpha -n
- alpha interferon
interferon beta -n
- beta interferon
interferon gamma -n
- gamma interferon
in·ter·fer·tile [,in-tər-'fər-tᵊl] -adj, n
- capable of interbreeding
in·ter·file [,in-tər-'fī(-ə)l] -vt
- to arrange in or add to a file : file
in·ter·fluve ['in-tər-,flüv] -n
- the area between adjacent streams flowing in the same direction
in·ter·fuse [,in-tər-'fyüz] -vb, n
- to combine by fusing : blend
- to add as if by fusing : infuse
- blend, fuse
in·ter·ga·lac·tic [,in-tər-gə-'lak-tik] -adj
- situated in or relating to the spaces between galaxies
- of, relating to, or occurring in outer space
in·ter·gla·cial [-'glā-shəl] -n, adj
- a warm period between glacial epochs
in·ter·gov·ern·men·tal [-,gə-vər(n)-'men-tᵊl] -adj
- existing or occurring between two or more governments or levels of government
in·ter·gra·da·tion [-grā-'dā-shən, -grə-] -n, adj
- the condition of an individual or population that intergrades
in·ter·grade [,in-tər-'grād] -vi
- to merge gradually one with another through a continuous series of intermediate forms
- an intermediate form
in·ter·growth ['in-tər-,grōth] -n
- a growing between or together
- the product of such growth
in·ter·im ['in-tə-rəm] -n
- an intervening time : interval
interim -adj
- done, made, appointed, or occurring for an interim
in·te·ri·or [in-'tir-ē-ər] -adj, adv
- lying, occurring, or functioning within the limiting boundaries : inner
- an interior point of a triangle
- belonging to mental or spiritual life
- belonging to the inner constitution or concealed nature of something
- interior meaning of a poem
- lying away or remote from the border or shore
interior -n
- the inner or spiritual nature : character
- the interior part (as of a country or island)
- the internal or inner part of a thing : inside
- the internal affairs of a state or nation
- a representation (as in a play or movie) of the interior of a building
interior angle -n
- the inner of the two angles formed where two sides of a polygon come together
- any of the four angles formed in the area between a pair of parallel lines when a third line cuts them
interior decoration -n
- interior design
interior decorator -n
- interior designer, decorator
interior design -n
- the art or practice of planning and supervising the design and execution of architectural interiors and their furnishings
interior designer -n
- one who specializes in interior design
in·te·ri·or·ise [in-'tir-ē-ə-,rīz] -vt, n
(variant of interiorize)
- to make interior
- to make a part of one's own inner being or mental structure
in·te·ri·or·i·ty [(,)in-,tir-ē-'ȯr-ə-tē, -'är-] -n
- interior quality or character
- inner life or substance : psychological existence
in·te·ri·or·ize [in-'tir-ē-ə-,rīz] -vt, n
- to make interior
- to make a part of one's own inner being or mental structure
interior monologue -n
- a usu. extended representation in monologue of a fictional character's thought and feeling
interj -abbr
- interjection
in·ter·ject [,in-tər-'jekt] -vt, n, adj
- to throw in between or among other things : interpolate
in·ter·jec·tion [,int-ər-'jek-shən] -n
- the act of uttering exclamations : ejaculation
- the act of putting in between : interposition
- : an ejaculatory utterance usu. lacking grammatical connection: as
- a word or phrase used in exclamation (as Heavens Dear me)
- a cry or inarticulate utterance (as Alas ouch phooey ugh) expressing an emotion
- something that is interjected or that interrupts
in·ter·jec·tion·al [-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or constituting an interjection : ejaculatory
- thrown in between other words : parenthetical
in·ter·lace [,in-tər-'lās] -vb, n
- to unite by or as if by lacing together : interweave
- to vary by alternation or intermixture : intersperse
- narrative interlaced with anecdotes
- to cross one another as if woven together : intertwine
in·ter·laced ['in-tər-,lāst] -adj
- of, relating to, or using a method of video scanning (as for television or a computer monitor) in which the odd and even horizontal lines of each frame are drawn on alternating passes
in·ter·lard [,in-tər-'lärd] -vt
- to vary by intermixture : intersperse, interlace
in·ter·leave [,in-tər-'lēv] -vt
- to arrange in or as if in alternate layers
in·ter·leu·kin [,in-tər-'lü-kən] -n
- any of various cytokines of low molecular weight that are produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and monocytes and that function esp. in regulation of the immune system and esp. cell-mediated immunity
in·ter·leu·kin1 [-'wən] -n
- an interleukin produced esp. by monocytes and macrophages that regulates immune responses by activating lymphocytes and mediates other biological processes (as the onset of fever) usu. associated with infection and inflammation
in·ter·leu·kin2 [-'tü] -n
- an interleukin produced by antigen-stimulated helper T cells in the presence of interleukin-1 that induces proliferation of immune cells (as T cells and B cells) and is used experimentally esp. in treating certain cancers
in·ter·line [,in-tər-'līn] -vt, n
- to insert between lines already written or printed
interline -vt
- to provide (a garment) with an interlining
- relating to, involving, or carried by two or more transportation lines
in·ter·lin·ear [,in-tər-'li-nē-ər] -adj, adv
- inserted between lines already written or printed
- written or printed in different languages or texts in alternate lines
interlinear -n
- a book having interlinear matter
- a book in a foreign language with interlinear translation
in·ter·lin·gual [,in-tər-'liŋ-gwəl also -gyə-wəl] -adj
- of, relating to, or existing between two or more languages
- interlingual dictionaries
in·ter·lin·ing ['in-tər-,lī-niŋ] -n
- a lining (as of a coat) sewn between the ordinary lining and the outside fabric
in·ter·link [,in-tər-'liŋk] -vt, n
- to link together
in·ter·lock [,in-tər-'läk] -vi
- to become locked together or interconnected
- to lock together : unite
- to connect so that the motion or operation of any part is constrained by another
- the quality, state, sense, or an instance of being interlocked
- an arrangement in which the operation of one part or mechanism automatically brings about or prevents the operation of another
- a stretchable fabric made on a circular knitting machine and consisting of two ribbed fabrics joined by interlocking
- a garment made of interlock
in·ter·loc·u·tor [,in-tər-'lä-kyə-tər] -n
- one who takes part in dialogue or conversation
- a man in the middle of the line in a minstrel show who questions the end men and acts as leader
in·ter·loc·u·to·ry [-kyə-,tȯr-ē] -adj
- made during the progress of a legal action and not final or definitive
in·ter·lope [,in-tər-'lōp, 'in-tər-,] -vi
- to encroach on the rights (as in trade) of others
- intrude, interfere
in·ter·lop·er [,in-tər-'lō-pər, 'in-tər-,] -n
- : one that interlopes: as
- an illegal or unlicensed trader
- one that intrudes in a place or sphere of activity
in·ter·lude ['in-tər-,lüd] -n
- a usu. short simple play or dramatic entertainment
- an intervening or interruptive period, space, or event : interval
- a musical composition inserted between the parts of a longer composition, a drama, or a religious service
in·ter·lu·nar [,in-tər-'lü-nər] -adj
- relating to the interval between old and new moon when the moon is invisible
in·ter·mar·riage [,in-tər-'mer-ij, -'ma-rij] -n
- endogamy
- marriage between members of different groups
in·ter·mar·ry [-'mer-ē, -'ma-rē] -vi
- to marry each other
- to marry within a group
- to become connected by intermarriage
in·ter·med·dle [,in-tər-'me-dᵊl] -vi, n
- to meddle impertinently and officiously and usu. so as to interfere
in·ter·me·di·a·cy [,in-tər-'mē-dē-ə-sē] -n
- the act or action of intermediating
- the quality or state of being intermediate
in·ter·me·di·ary [,in-tər-'mē-dē-,er-ē] -adj
- intermediate
- acting as a mediator
intermediary -n
- mediator, go-between
- medium, means
- an intermediate form, product, or stage
in·ter·me·di·ate [,in-tər-'mē-dē-ət] -adj, adv, n
- being or occurring at the middle place, stage, or degree or between extremes
- of or relating to an intermediate school
- an intermediate curriculum
intermediate -n
- one that is intermediate
- mediator, go-between
- a chemical compound synthesized from simpler compounds and usu. intended to be used in later syntheses of more complex products
- a usu. short-lived chemical species formed in a reaction as an intermediate step between the starting material and the final product
- an automobile larger than a compact but smaller than a full-sized automobile
in·ter·me·di·ate [-dē-,āt] -vi
- intervene, interpose
- to act as an intermediate
intermediate host -n
- a host which is normally used by a parasite in the course of its life cycle and in which it may multiply asexually but not sexually
- reservoir
- vector
intermediate school -n
- junior high school
- a school usu. comprising grades four to six
intermediate vector boson -n
- any of three particles that mediate the weak force called also intermediate boson
in·ter·me·di·a·tion [,in-tər-,mē-dē-'ā-shən] -n
- the act of coming between : intervention, mediation
in·ter·me·din [,in-tər-'mē-dᵊn] -n
- melanocyte-stimulating hormone
in·ter·ment [in-'tər-mənt] -n
- the act or ceremony of interring
in·ter·mesh [,in-tər-'mesh] -vi
- interlock
- to mesh together : interlock
in·ter·me·tal·lic [,in-tər-mə-'ta-lik] -adj, n
- composed of two or more metals or of a metal and a nonmetal
- being an alloy having a characteristic crystal structure and usu. a definite composition
in·ter·mez·zo [,in-tər-'met-(,)sō, -'med-(,)zō] -n
- a short light entr'acte
- a movement coming between the major sections of an extended musical work (as an opera)
- a short independent instrumental composition
- a usu. brief interlude or diversion
in·ter·mi·na·ble [(,)in-'tərm-nə-bəl, -'tər-mə-] -adj, n, adv
- having or seeming to have no end
- wearisomely protracted
in·ter·min·gle [,in-tər-'miŋ-gəl] -vb
- intermix
in·ter·mis·sion [,in-tər-'mi-shən] -n, adj
- the act of intermitting : the state of being intermitted
- an interval between the parts of an entertainment (as the acts of a play)
in·ter·mit [-'mit] -vb, n
- to cause to cease for a time or at intervals : discontinue
- to be intermittent
in·ter·mit·tence [-'mi-tən(t)s] -n
- the quality or state of being intermittent
in·ter·mit·ten·cy [-'mi-tən(t)-sē] -n
- intermittence
in·ter·mit·tent [-'mi-tᵊnt] -adj, adv
- coming and going at intervals : not continuous
- occasional
- intermittent trips abroad
in·ter·mix [,in-tər-'miks] -vb, n
- to mix together
- to become mixed together
in·ter·mod·al [-'mō-dəl] -adj
- being or involving transportation by more than one form of carrier during a single journey
- used for intermodal transport
in·ter·mod·u·la·tion [-,mä-jə-'lā-shən] -n
- the production in an electrical device of currents having frequencies equal to the sums and differences of frequencies supplied to the device or of their harmonics
in·ter·mon·tane [,in-tər-'män-,tān] -adj
- situated between mountains
in·tern [in-'tərn, 'in-,] -adj
- internal
- to confine or impound esp. during a war
- an advanced student or graduate usu. in a professional field (as medicine or teaching) gaining supervised practical experience (as in a hospital or classroom)
- to work as an intern
in·ter·nal [in-'tər-nᵊl, 'in-,] -adj, n, adv
- : existing or situated within the limits or surface of something: as
- situated near the inside of the body
- situated on the side toward the median plane of the body
- of, relating to, or occurring on the inside of an organized structure (as a club, company, or state)
- relating or belonging to or existing within the mind
- intrinsic, inherent
- internal evidence of forgery in a document
- present or arising within an organism or one of its parts
- applied or intended for application through the stomach by being swallowed
internal combustion engine -n
- a heat engine in which the combustion that generates the heat takes place inside the engine proper instead of in a furnace
in·ter·nal·ise [in-'tər-nə-,līz] -vt, n
(variant of internalize)
- to give a subjective character to
- to incorporate (as values or patterns of culture) within the self as conscious or subconscious guiding principles through learning or socialization
in·ter·nal·ize [in-'tər-nə-,līz] -vt, n
- to give a subjective character to
- to incorporate (as values or patterns of culture) within the self as conscious or subconscious guiding principles through learning or socialization
internal medicine -n
- a branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases not requiring surgery
internal respiration -n
- an exchange of gases between the cells of the body and the blood by way of the fluid bathing the cells
internal rhyme -n
- rhyme between a word within a line and another either at the end of the same line or within another line
internal secretion -n
- hormone
in·ter·na·tion·al [,in-tər-'nash-nəl, -'na-shə-nᵊl] -adj, n, adv
- of, relating to, or affecting two or more nations
- of, relating to, or constituting a group or association having members in two or more nations
- active, known, or reaching beyond national boundaries
- an international reputation
international -n
- one that is international
- an organization of international scope
international date line -n
- an arbitrary line approximately along the 180th meridian designated as the place where each calendar day begins
in·ter·na·tion·al·ise [,in-tər-'nash-nə-,līz, -'na-shə-nə-,līz] -vt, n
(variant of internationalize)
- to make international
- to place under international control
- a proposal to internationalize the city
in·ter·na·tion·al·ism [-'nash-nə-,li-zəm, -'na-shə-nə-,li-zəm] -n, n or adj
- international character, principles, interests, or outlook
- a policy of cooperation among nations
- an attitude or belief favoring such a policy
in·ter·na·tion·al·ize [,in-tər-'nash-nə-,līz, -'na-shə-nə-,līz] -vt, n
- to make international
- to place under international control
- a proposal to internationalize the city
international law -n
- a body of rules that control or affect the rights of nations in their relations with each other
International Phonetic Alphabet -n
- ipa
international pitch -n
- a tuning standard of 440 vibrations per second for A above middle C
international relations -n pl but sing in constr
- a branch of political science concerned with relations between nations and primarily with foreign policies
International Scientific Vocabulary -n
- a part of the vocabulary of the sciences and other specialized studies that consists of words or other linguistic forms current in two or more languages and differing from New Latin in being adapted to the structure of the individual languages in which they appear abbr. ISV
International Style -n
- a style in European art of the 14th and early 15th centuries marked by sinuous line, rich color, and decorative surface detail
- a style in architecture developed in the 1920s that uses modern materials (as steel, glass, and reinforced concrete), expresses structure directly, and eliminates nonstructural ornament
International System of Units -n
- a system of units based on the metric system and developed and refined by international convention esp. for scientific work abbr. SI
international unit -n
- a quantity of a biologically active substance (as a vitamin) that produces a particular biological effect agreed upon as an international standard
in·ter·ne·cine [,in-tər-'ne-,sēn, -'nē-sᵊn, -'nē-,sīn, -nə-'sēn; in-'tər-nə-,sēn] -adj
- marked by slaughter : deadly
- mutually destructive
- of, relating to, or involving conflict within a group
In·ter·net ['in-tər-,net] -n
- an electronic communications network that connects computer networks and organizational computer facilities around the world
in·ter·neu·ron [,in-tər-'nu̇r-,än, -'nyu̇r-] -n, adj
- a neuron that conveys impulses from one neuron to another
in·ter·nist ['in-,tər-nist] -n
- a specialist in internal medicine
in·ter·node ['in-tər-,nōd] -n, adj
- an interval or part between two nodes (as of a stem)
in·ter·nun·ci·al [,in-tər-'nən(t)-sē-əl, -'nu̇n(t)-] -adj
- of or relating to an internuncio
- of, relating to, or being interneurons
in·ter·nun·cio [,in-tər-'nən(t)-sē-,ō, -'nu̇n(t)-] -n
- a messenger between two parties : go-between
- a papal legate of lower rank than a nuncio
in·ter·o·cep·tive [,in-tə-rō-'sep-tiv] -adj
- of, relating to, or being stimuli arising within the body and esp. in the viscera
in·ter·o·cep·tor [-tər] -n
- a sensory receptor excited by interoceptive stimuli
in·ter·op·er·a·bil·i·ty [,in-tər-,ä-p(ə-)rə-'bi-lə-tē] -n, adj
- ability of a system (as a weapons system) to work with or use the parts or equipment of another system
in·ter·pel·late [,in-tər-'pe-,lāt, in-'tər-pə-,lāt] -vt, n
- to question (as a foreign minister) formally concerning an official action or policy or personal conduct
in·ter·pen·e·trate [,in-tər-'pe-nə-,trāt] -vi, n
- to penetrate mutually
- to penetrate between, within, or throughout : permeate
in·ter·per·son·al [-'pərs-nəl, -'pər-sə-nəl] -adj, adv
- being, relating to, or involving relations between persons
in·ter·phase ['in-tər-,fāz] -n
- the interval between the end of one mitotic or meiotic division and the beginning of another
in·ter·plant [,in-tər-'plant] -vt
- to plant a crop between (plants of another kind)
- to set out young trees among (existing growth)
in·ter·play ['in-tər-,plā] -n, vi
- interaction
- the interplay of opposing forces
in·ter·plead [,in-tər-'plēd] -vi
- to go to trial with each other in order to determine a right on which the action of a third party depends
in·ter·plead·er [-'plē-dər] -n
- a proceeding to enable a person to compel parties making the same claim against him to litigate the matter between themselves
interpleader -n
- one that interpleads
Interpol -abbr
- International Criminal Police Organization
in·ter·po·late [in-'tər-pə-,lāt] -vb, n, adj
- to alter or corrupt (as a text) by inserting new or foreign matter
- to insert (words) into a text or into a conversation
- to insert between other things or parts : intercalate
- to estimate values of (data or a function) between two known values
- to make insertions (as of estimated values)
in·ter·pose [,in-tər-'pōz] -vb, n
- to place in an intervening position
- to put (oneself) between : intrude
- to put forth by way of interference or intervention
- to introduce or throw in between the parts of a conversation or argument
- to be or come between
- to step in between parties at variance : intervene
- interrupt
in·ter·po·si·tion [-pə-'zi-shən] -n
- the act of interposing
- the action of a state whereby its sovereignty is placed between its citizens and the federal government
- something interposed
in·ter·pret [in-'tər-prət, -pət] -vb, n, adj
- to explain or tell the meaning of : present in understandable terms
- needed help interpret ing the results
- to conceive in the light of individual belief, judgment, or circumstance : construe
- to represent by means of art : bring to realization by performance or direction
- to act as an interpreter between speakers of different languages
in·ter·pre·ta·tion [in-,tər-prə-'tā-shən, -pə-] -n, adj, adv
- the act or the result of interpreting : explanation
- a particular adaptation or version of a work, method, or style
- a teaching technique that combines factual with stimulating explanatory information
- natural history interpretation program
in·ter·pret·er [in-'tər-prə-tər, -pə-] -n
- : one that interprets: as
- one who translates orally for parties conversing in different languages
- one who explains or expounds
- a machine that prints on punch cards the symbols recorded in them by perforations
- a computer program that executes each of a set of high-level instructions before going to the next instruction
in·ter·prox·i·mal [,in-tər-'präk-sə-məl] -adj
- situated or used in the areas between adjoining teeth
in·ter·pu·pil·lary [,in-tər-'pyü-pə-,ler-ē] -adj
- extending between the pupils of the eyes
- extending between the centers of a pair of spectacle lenses
in·ter·ra·cial [-'rā-shəl] -adj, adv
- of, involving, or designed for members of different races
interred [in-'tər] -vt
(variant of inter)
- to deposit (a dead body) in the earth or in a tomb
in·ter·reg·num [,in-tə-'reg-nəm] -n
- the time during which a throne is vacant between two successive reigns or regimes
- a period during which the normal functions of government or control are suspended
- a lapse or pause in a continuous series
in·ter·re·late [,in-tə(r)-ri-'lāt] -vt, n
- to bring into mutual relation
- to have mutual relationship
in·ter·re·lat·ed [-'lā-təd] -adj, adv, n
- having a mutual or reciprocal relation
interring [in-'tər] -vt
(variant of inter)
- to deposit (a dead body) in the earth or in a tomb
in·ter·ro·bang [in-'ter-ə-,baŋ] -n
- a punctuation mark designed for use esp. at the end of an exclamatory rhetorical question
in·ter·ro·gate [in-'ter-ə-,gāt, -'te-rə-] -vt, n, adj
- to question formally and systematically
- to give or send out a signal to (as a transponder) for triggering an appropriate response
interrogation point -n
- question mark
in·ter·rog·a·tive [,in-tə-'rä-gə-tiv] -adj, adv
- used in a question
- having the form or force of a question
- inquisitive, questioning
interrogative -n
- a word (as who, what, which) or a particle (as Latin -ne) used in asking questions
- question
in·ter·ro·ga·tor [in-'ter-ə-,gā-tər, -'te-rə-] -n
- one that interrogates
- a radio transmitter and receiver for sending out a signal that triggers a transponder and for receiving and displaying the reply
in·ter·rog·a·to·ry [,in-tə-'rä-gə-,tȯr-ē] -n
- a formal question or inquiry
- a written question required to be answered under direction of a court
interrogatory -adj
- interrogative
in·ter·ro·gee [in-,ter-ə-'gē] -n
- one who is interrogated
in·ter·rupt [,in-tə-'rəpt] -vb, adj, n, adv
- to stop or hinder by breaking in
- interrupt ed the speaker with frequent questions
- to break the uniformity or continuity of
- a hot spell occasionally interrupt ed by a period of cool weather
- to break in upon an action
- to break in with questions or remarks while another is speaking
- a feature of a computer that permits the temporary interruption of one activity (as the execution of a program) in order to perform another
- the interruption itself
in·ter·rupt·er [,in-tə-'rəp-tər] -n
- one that interrupts
- a device for interrupting an electric current usu. automatically
in·ter·scho·las·tic [,in-tər-skə-'las-tik] -adj
- existing or carried on between schools
- interscholastic athletics
in·ter se [,in-tər-'sā, -'sē] -adv or adj
- among or between themselves
in·ter·sect [,in-tər-'sekt] -vb
- to pierce or divide by passing through or across : cross
- a comet intersect ing earth's orbit
- one line intersect s another
- to meet and cross at a point
- lines intersect ing at right angles
- to share a common area : overlap
- where morality and self-interest intersect
in·ter·sec·tion [,in-tər-'sek-shən, esp in sense 2 'in-tər-,] -n
- the act or process of intersecting
- a place or area where two or more things (as streets) intersect
- the set of elements common to two or more sets
- the set of points common to two geometric configurations
- the operation of finding the intersection of two or more sets
in·ter·ser·vice [,in-tər-'sər-vəs] -adj
- existing between or relating to two or more of the armed services
in·ter·ses·sion ['in-tər-,se-shən] -n
- a period between two academic sessions or terms sometimes utilized for brief concentrated courses
in·ter·sex ['in-tər-,seks] -n
- an intersexual individual
in·ter·sex·u·al [,in-tər-'sek-shə-wəl, -shwəl, -shəl] -adj, n, adv
- existing between sexes
- intermediate in sexual characters between a typical male and a typical female
in·ter·space ['in-tər-,spās] -n
- an intervening space : interval
- to occupy or fill the space between
in·ter·spe·cif·ic [,in-tər-spi-'si-fik] -adj
- existing, occurring, or arising between species
in·ter·sperse [,in-tər-'spərs] -vt, n
- to place something at intervals in or among
- intersperse a book with pictures
- to insert at intervals among other things
- interspersing drawings throughout the text
in·ter·sta·di·al [,in-tər-'stā-dē-əl] -n
- a subdivision within a glacial stage marking a temporary retreat of the ice
in·ter·state [,in-tər-'stāt] -adj
- of, connecting, or existing between two or more states esp. of the U.S.
- any of a system of expressways connecting most major U.S. cities called also interstate highway
in·ter·stel·lar [-'ste-lər] -adj
- located, taking place, or traveling among the stars esp. of the Milky Way galaxy
in·ter·stice [in-'tər-stəs] -n
- a space that intervenes between things
- one between closely spaced things
- a gap or break in something generally continuous
- the interstice s of society
- passages of genuine literary merit in the interstice s of the ludicrous...plots -- Joyce Carol Oates
- a short space of time between events
in·ter·sti·tial [,in-tər-'sti-shəl] -adj, adv
- relating to or situated in the interstices
- situated within but not restricted to or characteristic of a particular organ or tissue used esp. of fibrous tissue
- affecting the interstitial tissues of an organ or part
- being or relating to a crystalline compound in which usu. small atoms or ions of a nonmetal occupy holes between the larger metal atoms or ions in the crystal lattice
in·ter·sub·jec·tive [,in-tər-səb-'jek-tiv] -adj, adv, n
- involving or occurring between separate conscious minds
- intersubjective communication
- accessible to or capable of being established for two or more subjects : objective
- intersubjective reality of the physical world
in·ter·tes·ta·men·tal [-,tes-tə-'men-tᵊl] -adj
- of, relating to, or forming the period of two centuries between the composition of the last book of the Old Testament and the first book of the New Testament
in·ter·tex·tu·al·i·ty [-,teks-chə-'wa-lə-tē] -n, adj, adv
- the complex interrelationship between a text and other texts taken as basic to the creation or interpretation of the text
in·ter·tid·al [-'tī-dᵊl] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or being the part of the littoral zone above low-tide mark
in·ter·tie ['in-tər-,tī] -n
- an interconnection permitting passage of current between two or more electric utility systems
in·ter·till [,in-tər-'til] -vt, n
- to cultivate between the rows of (a crop)
in·ter·trop·i·cal [-'trä-pi-kəl] -adj
- situated between or within the tropics
- relating to regions within the tropics : tropical
in·ter·twine [-'twīn] -vt, n
- to unite by twining one with another
- to twine about one another
- to become mutually involved
in·ter·twist [-'twist] -vb, n
- intertwine
in·ter·val ['in-tər-vəl] -n, adj
- a space of time between events or states
- intermission
- a space between objects, units, points, or states
- difference in pitch between tones
- a set of real numbers between two numbers either including or excluding one or both of them
- one of a series of fast-paced exercises interspersed with slower ones or brief rests for training (as of an athlete)
in·ter·vale ['in-tər-vəl, -,vāl] -n
- bottomland
in·ter·val·om·e·ter [,in-tər-və-'lä-mə-tər] -n
- a device that operates a control (as for a camera shutter) at regular intervals
in·ter·vene [,in-tər-'vēn] -vi, n, adj
- to occur, fall, or come between points of time or events
- only six months intervened between their marriage and divorce
- to enter or appear as an irrelevant or extraneous feature or circumstance
- it's business as usual until a crisis intervene s
- to come in or between by way of hindrance or modification
- intervene to stop a fight
- to interfere with the outcome or course esp. of a condition or process (as to prevent harm or improve functioning)
- to occur or lie between two things
- to become a third party to a legal proceeding begun by others for the protection of an alleged interest
- to interfere usu. by force or threat of force in another nation's internal affairs esp. to compel or prevent an action
in·ter·ve·nor [-'vē-nər, -,nȯr] -n
- one who intervenes
- one who intervenes as a third party in a legal proceeding
in·ter·ven·tion·ism [-'ven(t)-shə-,ni-zəm] -n, n or adj
- the theory or practice of intervening
- governmental interference in economic affairs at home or in political affairs of another country
in·ter·ver·te·bral disk [,in-tər-'vər-tə-brəl-, -(,)vər-'tē-] -n
- any of the tough elastic disks that are interposed between the centra of adjoining vertebrae and that consist of an outer fibrous ring enclosing an inner pulpy nucleus
in·ter·view ['in-tər-,vyü] -n, vb
- a formal consultation usu. to evaluate qualifications (as of a prospective student or employee)
- a meeting at which information is obtained (as by a reporter, television commentator, or pollster) from a person
- a report or reproduction of information so obtained
- interviewee
in·ter·view·ee [,in-tər-(,)vyü-'ē] -n
- one who is interviewed
in·ter vi·vos ['in-tər-'vē-,vōs, -'vī-] -adv or adj
- between living persons
- from one living person to another
- property transferred inter vivos
inter vivos trust -n
- living trust
in·ter·vo·cal·ic [,in-tər-vō-'ka-lik] -adj, adv
- immediately preceded and immediately followed by a vowel
in·ter·weave [,in-tər-'wēv] -vb, n, adj
- to weave together
- to mix or blend together
- interweaving his own insights...with letters and memoirs -- Phoebe Adams
- intertwine, intermingle
in·tes·ta·cy [in-'tes-tə-sē] -n
- the quality or state of being or dying intestate
in·tes·tate [in-'tes-,tāt, -tət] -adj
- having made no valid will
- not disposed of by will
intestate -n
- one who dies intestate
in·tes·ti·nal [in-'tes-tə-nᵊl, -'tes(t)-nəl, -'te-sᵊn-əl, Brit often ,in-(,)tes-'tī-nᵊl] -adj, adv
- affecting, occurring, or living in the intestine
- of, relating to, or being the intestine
intestinal fortitude -n
- courage, stamina
in·tes·tine [in-'tes-tən] -adj
- internal
- of or relating to the internal affairs of a state or country
intestine -n
- the tubular part of the alimentary canal that extends from the stomach to the anus
in·ti ['in-tē] -n
- the basic monetary unit of Peru from 1985 to 1990
in·ti·fa·da [,in-tə-'fä-də] -n
- uprising, rebellion
- an armed uprising of Palestinians against Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip
in·ti·ma ['in-tə-mə] -n, adj
- the innermost coat of an organ (as a blood vessel) consisting usu. of an endothelial layer backed by connective tissue and elastic tissue
in·ti·ma·cy ['in-tə-mə-sē] -n
- the state of being intimate : familiarity
- something of a personal or private nature
in·ti·mate ['in-tə-,māt] -vt, n
- to make known esp. publicly or formally : announce
- to communicate delicately and indirectly : hint
- intrinsic, essential
- belonging to or characterizing one's deepest nature
- marked by very close association, contact, or familiarity
- intimate knowledge of the law
- marked by a warm friendship developing through long association
- suggesting informal warmth or privacy
- of a very personal or private nature
- an intimate friend or confidant
in·tim·i·date [in-'ti-mə-,dāt] -vt, adv, n
- to make timid or fearful : frighten
- to compel or deter by or as if by threats
- tried to intimidate a witness
in·tim·i·da·to·ry [-'ti-mə-də-,tȯr-ē] -adj
- tending or intended to intimidate
in·tinc·tion [in-'tiŋ(k)-shən] -n
- the administration of the sacrament of Communion by dipping bread in wine and giving both together to the communicant
in·tine ['in-,tēn] -n
- the inner mostly cellulose wall of some spores and esp. pollen grains
in·tit·ule [in-'ti-(,)chül] -vt
- to furnish (as a legislative act) with a title or designation
intl -abbr
- international
in·to ['in-(,)tü, -tə] -prep
- used as a function word to indicate entry, introduction, insertion, superposition, or inclusion
- to the state, condition, or form of
- to the occupation, action, or possession of
- involved with or interested in
- into Latin epigrammatists
- used as a function word to indicate a period of time or an extent of space part of which is passed or occupied
- in the direction of
- to a position of contact with : against
- used as a function word to indicate the dividend in division
- dividing 3 into 6 gives 2
in·tol·er·a·ble [(,)in-'täl-rə-bəl, -'tä-lə-rə-, -'tä-lər-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- not tolerable : unbearable
- excessive
in·tol·er·ance [(,)in-'täl-rən(t)s, -'tä-lə-] -n
- the quality or state of being intolerant
- exceptional sensitivity (as to a drug)
- inability to properly metabolize or absorb a substance
in·tol·er·ant [-rənt] -adj, adv, n
- unable or unwilling to endure
- unwilling to grant equal freedom of expression esp. in religious matters
- unwilling to grant or share social, political, or professional rights : bigoted
- exhibiting physiological intolerance
in·to·nate ['in-tə-,nāt, -(,)tō-] -vt
- intone, utter
in·to·na·tion [,in-tə-'nā-shən, -(,)tō-] -n, adj
- something that is intoned
- the opening tones of a Gregorian chant
- the act of intoning and esp. of chanting
- the ability to play or sing notes in tune
- manner of utterance
- the rise and fall in pitch of the voice in speech
in·tone [in-'tōn] -vb, n
- to utter in musical or prolonged tones : recite in singing tones or in a monotone
- to utter something in singing tones or in monotone
in to·to [in-'tō-(,)tō] -adv
- totally, entirely
in·tox·i·cant [in-'täk-si-kənt] -n, adj
- something that intoxicates
- an alcoholic drink
in·tox·i·cate [-si-kət] -adj
- intoxicated
- poison
- to excite or stupefy by alcohol or a drug esp. to the point where physical and mental control is markedly diminished
- to excite or elate to the point of enthusiasm or frenzy
in·tox·i·cat·ed [-sə-,kā-təd] -adj, adv
- affected by or as if by alcohol : drunk
in·tox·i·ca·tion [in-,täk-sə-'kā-shən] -n
- an abnormal state that is essentially a poisoning
- carbon monoxide intoxication
- the condition of being drunk : inebriation
- a strong excitement or elation
in·tra- ['in-trə, -(,)trä] -prefix
- within
- during
- between layers of
- intro-
- an intra muscular injection
in·traar·te·ri·al [-är-'tir-ē-əl] -adj, adv
- situated or occurring within, administered into, or involving entry by way of an artery
- intraarterial chemotherapy
in·traar·tic·u·lar [-är-'ti-kyə-lər] -adj
- situated within, occurring within, or administered by entry into a joint
in·tra·car·di·ac [-'kär-dē-,ak] -adj, adv
- situated or occurring within or introduced or involving entry into the heart
in·tra·cel·lu·lar [-'sel-yə-lər] -adj, adv
- existing, occurring, or functioning within a cell
in·tra·ce·re·bral [-sə-'rē-brəl, -'ser-ə-] -adj, adv
- situated or occurring within or introduced or administered into the cerebrum
in·tra·com·pa·ny [-'kəmp-nē, -'kəm-pə-] -adj
- occurring within or taking place between branches or employees of a company
- intracompany transactions
in·tra·cra·ni·al [-'krā-nē-əl] -adj, adv
- existing or occurring within the cranium
- affecting or involving intracranial structures
in·trac·ta·ble [(,)in-'trak-tə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- not easily governed, managed, or directed
- not easily manipulated or wrought
- not easily relieved or cured
in·tra·cu·ta·ne·ous [,in-trə-kyü-'tā-nē-əs, -(,)trä-] -adj, adv
- intradermal
in·tra·day ['in-trə-,dā, -(,)trä-] -adj
- occurring in the course of a single day
- the market showed wide intraday fluctuations
in·tra·der·mal [,in-trə-'dər-məl, -(,)trä-] -adj, adv
- situated, occurring, or done within or between the layers of the skin
- administered by entering the skin
intradermal test -n
- a test for immunity or hypersensitivity made by injecting a minute amount of diluted antigen into the skin
in·tra·dos ['in-trə-,däs, -,dō; in-'trā-,däs] -n
- the interior curve of an arch
in·tra·fal·lo·pi·an [,in-trə-fə-'lō-pē-ən] -adj
- occurring within a fallopian tube
in·tra·ga·lac·tic [,in-trə-gə-'lak-tik, -(,)trä-] -adj
- situated or occurring within the confines of a single galaxy
in·tra·gen·ic [-'je-nik] -adj
- being or occurring within a gene
in·tra·mo·lec·u·lar [-mə-'le-kyə-lər] -adj, adv
- existing or acting within the molecule
- formed by reaction between different parts of the same molecule
in·tra·mu·ral [-'myu̇r-əl] -adj, adv
- being or occurring within the limits usu. of a community, organization, or institution
- competed only within the student body
- situated or occurring within the substance of the walls of an organ
in·tra·mus·cu·lar [-'məs-kyə-lər] -adj, adv
- situated in, occurring in, or administered by entering a muscle
- an intramuscular injection
in·tra·na·sal [-'nā-zəl] -adj, adv
- lying within or administered by way of the nasal structures
in·tra·net ['in-trə-,net] -n
- a network operating like the World Wide Web but having access restricted to a limited group of authorized users (as employees of a company)
intrans -abbr
- intransitive
in·tran·si·geance [in-'tran(t)-sə-jən(t)s, -'tran-zə-] -n, adj or n, adv
- intransigence
in·tran·si·gence [-jən(t)s] -n
- the quality or state of being intransigent
in·tran·si·gent [-jənt] -adj, n, adv
- characterized by refusal to compromise or to abandon an extreme position or attitude : uncompromising
- intransigent in their opposition
in·tran·si·tive [(,)in-'tran(t)-sə-tiv, -'tran-zə-; -'tran(t)s-tiv] -adj, adv, n
- not transitive
- characterized by not having or containing a direct object
in·tra·oc·u·lar [,in-trə-'ä-kyə-lər, -(,)trä-] -adj, adv
- implanted in, occurring in, or administered by entering the eyeball
in·tra·per·i·to·ne·al [,in-trə-,per-ə-tə-'nē-əl] -adj, adv
- existing within or administered by entry into the peritoneum
- intraperitoneal chemotherapy
in·tra·per·son·al [-'pərs-nəl, -'pər-sə-nəl] -adj
- occurring within the individual mind or self
- intrapersonal concerns of the aged
in·tra·plate ['in-trə-,plāt, -(,)trä-] -adj
- relating to or occurring within the interior of a tectonic plate
in·tra·pop·u·la·tion ['in-trə-,pä-pyə-'lā-shən, -(,)trä-] -adj
- occurring within or taking place between members of a population
in·tra·pre·neur [,in-trə-prə-'nər, -'nu̇r, -'nyu̇r] -n, adj
- a corporate executive who develops new enterprises within the corporation
in·tra·psy·chic [,in-trə-'sī-kik, -(,)trä-] -adj, adv
- being or occurring within the psyche, mind, or personality
in·tra·spe·cies [-'spē-(,)shēz, -(,)sēz] -adj
- intraspecific
in·tra·spe·cif·ic [-spi-'si-fik] -adj
- occurring within a species or involving members of one species
- intraspecific competition
in·tra·state [-'stāt] -adj
- existing or occurring within a state
in·tra·the·cal [-'thē-kəl] -adj, adv
- introduced into or occurring in the space under the arachnoid membrane of the brain or spinal cord
in·tra·tho·rac·ic [-thə-'ra-sik] -adj, adv
- situated or occurring within the thorax
in·tra·uter·ine [-'yü-tə-rən, -,rīn] -adj
- situated, used, or occurring within the uterus
- intrauterine insemination
- involving the part of development that takes place in the uterus
intrauterine device -n
- a device inserted into and left in the uterus to prevent effective conception called also intrauterine contraceptive device IUD
in·tra·vas·cu·lar [,in-trə-'vas-kyə-lər, -(,)trä-] -adj, adv
- situated in, occurring in, or administered by entry into a blood vessel
- an intravascular injection
in·tra·ve·nous [,in-trə-'vē-nəs] -adj, adv
- situated, performed, or occurring within or entering by way of a vein
- used in or using intravenous procedures
in·tra·ven·tric·u·lar [,in-trə-ven-'tri-kyə-lər, -(,)trä-] -adj, adv
- situated within, occurring within, or administered into a ventricle
- intraventricular hemorrhage
in·tra·vi·tal [-'vī-tᵊl] -adj, adv
- performed upon or found in a living subject
- having or utilizing the property of staining cells within a living body
in·tra·vi·tam [-'vī-,tam, -'wē-,täm] -adj
- intravital
in·tra·zon·al [,in-trə-'zō-nᵊl, -(,)trä-] -adj
- of, relating to, or being a soil or a major soil group marked by relatively well-developed characteristics that are determined primarily by essentially local factors (as the parent material) rather than climate and vegetation
intreat [in-'trēt, en-] -vb, adv, n
(variant of entreat)
- negotiate
- intercede
- to make an earnest request : plead
- to plead with esp. in order to persuade : ask urgently
- entreat ed his boss for another chance
- to deal with : treat
intrench [in-'trench, en-] -vt, n
(variant of entrench)
- to place within or surround with a trench esp. for defense
- to place (oneself) in a strong defensive position
- to establish solidly
- entrench ed themselves in the business
- to cut into : furrow
- to erode downward so as to form a trench
- to dig or occupy a trench for defensive purposes
- to enter upon or take over something unfairly, improperly, or unlawfully : encroach used with on or upon
in·trep·id [in-'tre-pəd] -adj, n, adv
- characterized by resolute fearlessness, fortitude, and endurance
in·tri·ca·cy ['in-tri-kə-sē] -n
- the quality or state of being intricate
- something intricate
- the intricacies of a plot
in·tri·cate ['in-tri-kət] -adj, adv, n
- having many complexly interrelating parts or elements : complicated
- difficult to resolve or analyze
in·tri·gant [,in-trē-'gänt, ,an-, -'gäⁿ] -n
- one that intrigues
in·trigue ['in-,trēg, in-'] -n
- a secret scheme : machination
- the practice of engaging in intrigues
- a clandestine love affair
- cheat, trick
- to accomplish by intrigue
- intrigued myself into the club
- entangle
- to arouse the interest, desire, or curiosity of
- to carry on an intrigue
- plot, scheme
intriguing -adj
- engaging the interest to a marked degree : fascinating
in·trigu·ing·ly [-giŋ-lē] -adv
- in an intriguing manner
- as a matter of marked interest
in·trin·sic [in-'trin-zik, -'trin(t)-sik] -adj, adv
- belonging to the essential nature or constitution of a thing
- the intrinsic worth of a gem
- the intrinsic brightness of a star
- being or relating to a semiconductor in which the concentration of charge carriers is characteristic of the material itself instead of the content of any impurities it contains
- originating or due to causes within a body, organ, or part
- an intrinsic metabolic disease
- originating and included wholly within an organ or part
in·trin·si·cal [-zi-kəl, -si-] -adj
- intrinsic
intrinsic factor -n
- a substance produced by normal gastrointestinal mucosa that facilitates absorption of vitamin B 12
in·tro ['in-(,)trō] -n
- introduction
intro- -prefix
- in : into
- inward : within
introd -abbr
- introduction
in·tro·duce [,in-trə-'düs, -'dyüs] -vt, n
- to lead or bring in esp. for the first time
- introduce a nonnative species
- to bring into play
- to bring into practice or use : institute
- : to lead to or make known by a formal act, announcement, or recommendation: as
- to cause to be acquainted
- to present formally at court or into society
- to present or announce formally or officially or by an official reading
- to make preliminary explanatory or laudatory remarks about
- to bring (as an actor or singer) before the public for the first time
- place, insert
- introduce foreign genes into crops
- to bring to a knowledge of something
- introduced them to new ideas
in·tro·duc·tion [,in-trə-'dək-shən] -n
- : something that introduces: as
- a part of a book or treatise preliminary to the main portion
- a preliminary treatise or course of study
- a short introductory musical passage
- the act or process of introducing : the state of being introduced
- a putting in : insertion
- something introduced
- a new or exotic plant or animal
in·tro·duc·to·ry [,in-trə-'dək-t(ə-)rē] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or being a first step that sets something going or in proper perspective
- an introductory course in calculus
in·tro·gres·sion [,in-trə-'gre-shən] -n, adj or n, adj
- the entry or introduction of a gene from one gene complex into another (as by hybridization)
in·troit ['in-,trȯit, -,trō-ət, in-'] -n
- the first part of the traditional proper of the Mass consisting of an antiphon, verse from a psalm, and the Gloria Patri
- a piece of music sung or played at the beginning of a worship service
in·tro·ject [,in-trə-'jekt] -vt, n
- to incorporate (attitudes or ideas) into one's personality unconsciously
in·tro·mis·sion [,in-trə-'mi-shən] -n
- the act or process of intromitting
- the insertion or period of insertion of the penis in the vagina in copulation
in·tro·mit [-'mit] -vt, adj, n
- to send or put in : insert
in·tron ['in-,trän] -n
- a polynucleotide sequence in a nucleic acid that does not code information for protein synthesis and is removed before translation of messenger RNA
in·trorse ['in-,trȯrs] -adj
- facing inward or toward the axis of growth
in·tro·spec·tion [,in-trə-'spek-shən] -n, vb, adj, adv
- a reflective looking inward : an examination of one's own thoughts and feelings
in·tro·spec·tion·ism [-shə-,ni-zəm] -n, adj
- a doctrine that psychology must be based essentially on data derived from introspection
in·tro·ver·sion [,in-trə-'vər-zhən, -shən] -n, adj, adv
- the act of introverting : the state of being introverted
- the state of or tendency toward being wholly or predominantly concerned with and interested in one's own mental life
in·tro·vert ['in-trə-,vərt] -vt
- : to turn inward or in upon itself: as
- to concentrate or direct upon oneself
- to produce psychological introversion in
introvert -n
- something (as the retractile proboscis of some worms) that is or can be drawn in esp. by invagination
- one whose personality is characterized by introversion
- a reserved or shy person
in·trude [in-'trüd] -vb, n
- to thrust oneself in without invitation, permission, or welcome
- to enter as a geological intrusion
- to thrust or force in or upon someone or something esp. without permission, welcome, or fitness
- intruded himself into their lives
- to cause to enter as if by force
in·tru·sion [in-'trü-zhən] -n
- the act of intruding or the state of being intruded
- the act of wrongfully entering upon, seizing, or taking possession of the property of another
- the forcible entry of molten rock or magma into or between other rock formations
- the intruded magma
in·tru·sive [in-'trü-siv, -ziv] -adj, n, adv
- characterized by intrusion
- intruding where one is not welcome or invited
- projecting inward
- an intrusive arm of the sea
- having been forced while in a plastic state into cavities or between layers
- plutonic
- having nothing that corresponds to a sound or letter in orthography or etymon
- intrusive t in mints for mince
intrust [in-'trəst, en-] -vt, n
(variant of entrust)
- to confer a trust on
- to deliver something in trust to
- to commit to another with confidence
in·tu·ba·tion [,in-(,)tü-'bā-shən, -(,)tyü-, -tə-] -n, vt
- the introduction of a tube into a hollow organ (as the trachea)
in·tu·it [in-'tü-ət, -'tyü-] -vt, adj
- to know, sense, or understand by intuition
in·tu·i·tion [,in-tü-'i-shən, -tyü-] -n, adj
- quick and ready insight
- immediate apprehension or cognition
- knowledge or conviction gained by intuition
- the power or faculty of attaining to direct knowledge or cognition without evident rational thought and inference
in·tu·i·tion·ism [,in-tü-'i-shə-,ni-zəm] -n, adj or n
- a doctrine that objects of perception are intuitively known to be real
- a doctrine that there are basic truths intuitively known
- a doctrine that right or wrong or fundamental principles about what is right and wrong can be intuited
- a philosophical thesis that human beings have a direct intuitive understanding of mathematics and that rejects the principle that every mathematical statement must be true or false
in·tu·i·tive [in-'tü-ə-tiv, -'tyü-] -adj, adv, n
- known or perceived by intuition : directly apprehended
- had an intuitive awareness of his sister's feelings
- knowable by intuition
- based on or agreeing with intuition
- readily learned or understood
- software with an intuitive interface
- knowing or perceiving by intuition
- possessing or given to intuition or insight
in·tu·mes·cence [,in-tü-'me-sᵊn(t)s, -tyu̇-] -n
- a swollen or enlarged part of a plant or animal
- the process of swelling up or enlarging
in·tu·mes·cent [-sᵊnt] -adj
- swelling and charring when exposed to flame
in·tus·sus·cept [,in-tə-sə-'sept] -vb
- to take in by or cause to undergo intussusception
- invaginate
- to undergo intussusception
in·tus·sus·cep·tion [-'sep-shən] -n, adj
- : a drawing in of something from without: as
- invagination
- the slipping of a length of intestine into an adjacent portion usu. producing obstruction
- the assimilation of new material and its dispersal among preexistent matter
In·u·it ['i-nü-wət, -nyü-] -n
- the Eskimo people of No. America and Greenland
- the Eskimo people of Canada
- a member of such people
- eskimo
- the group of Eskimo dialects spoken from northwestern Canada to Greenland
Inuk [i-'nük] -n
- a member of the Inuit people
Inuk·ti·tut [i-'nük-tə-,tüt] -n
- the group of Eskimo dialects spoken by the Inuit of central and eastern arctic Canada
in·u·lin ['in-yə-lən] -n
- a white plant polysaccharide used esp. to improve the flavor and texture of low-fat and low-sugar processed foods
in·unc·tion [i-'nəŋ(k)-shən] -n
- an act of applying oil or ointment : anointing
in·un·date ['i-(,)nən-,dāt] -vt, n, adj
- to cover with a flood : overflow
- overwhelm
- was inundated with phone calls
Inu·pi·at [i-'nü-pē-,ät, -'nyü-] -n
- a member of the Eskimo people of northern Alaska
- the language of the Inupiat people
in·ure [i-'nu̇r, -'nyu̇r] -vb, n
- to accustom to accept something undesirable
- children inured to violence
- to become of advantage
- policies that inure to the benefit of employees
in·urn [i-'nərn] -vt, n
- entomb
- to place (as cremated remains) in an urn
in utero [in-'yü-tə-,rō] -adv or adj
- in the uterus : before birth
- a disease acquired in utero
in·utile [(,)in-'yü-tᵊl, -,tī(-ə)l] -adj, n
- useless, unusable
inv -abbr
- inventor
- invoice
in vac·uo [in-'va-kyə-,wō] -adv
- in a vacuum
in·vade [in-'vād] -vt, n
- to enter for conquest or plunder
- to encroach upon : infringe
- to spread over or into as if invading : permeate
- to affect injuriously and progressively
- gangrene invade s healthy tissue
in·vag·i·nate [in-'va-jə-,nāt] -vb
- enclose, sheathe
- to fold in so that an outer becomes an inner surface
- to undergo invagination
in·vag·i·na·tion [-,va-jə-'nā-shən] -n
- an act or process of invaginating
- the formation of a gastrula by an infolding of part of the wall of the blastula
- an invaginated part
in·val·id [(,)in-'va-ləd] -adj, adv
- : not valid:
- being without foundation or force in fact, truth, or law
- declared the will invalid
- logically inconsequent
in·va·lid ['in-və-ləd, Brit usu -,lēd] -adj
- suffering from disease or disability : sickly
- of, relating to, or suited to one that is sick
invalid [same as ²] -n
- one who is sickly or disabled
in·va·lid ['in-və-ləd, -,lid, Brit usu -,lēd or ,in-və-'lēd] -vt
- to remove from active duty by reason of sickness or disability
- to make sickly or disabled
in·val·i·date [(,)in-'va-lə-,dāt] -vt, n
- to make invalid
- to weaken or destroy the cogency of
in·va·lid·ism ['in-və-lə-,di-zəm] -n
- a chronic condition of being an invalid
in·val·id·i·ty [,in-və-'li-də-tē, -va-] -n
- lack of validity or cogency
- incapacitating bodily disability
- invalidism
in·valu·able [(,)in-'val-yə-bəl, -yə-wə-bəl, -yü(-ə)-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- valuable beyond estimation : priceless
- providing invaluable assistance
In·var ['in-,vär] -trademark
- used for an alloy of iron and nickel that does not expand much when heated
in·vari·able [(,)in-'ver-ē-ə-bəl] -adj, n
- not changing or capable of change : constant
in·vari·ably [-blē] -adv
- on every occasion : always
in·vari·ance [(,)in-'ver-ē-ən(t)s] -n
- the quality or state of being invariant
in·vari·ant [-ənt] -adj, n
- constant, unchanging
- unchanged by specified mathematical or physical operations or transformations
in·va·sion [in-'vā-zhən] -n
- an act of invading
- incursion of an army for conquest or plunder
- the incoming or spread of something usu. hurtful
in·va·sive [-siv, -ziv] -adj, n
- of, relating to, or characterized by military aggression
- tending to spread
- tending to invade healthy tissue
- tending to infringe
- involving entry into the living body (as by incision or by insertion of an instrument)
- invasive diagnostic techniques
in·vec·tive [in-'vek-tiv] -adj, adv, n
- of, relating to, or characterized by insult or abuse
invective -n
- an abusive expression or speech
- insulting or abusive language : vituperation
in·veigh [in-'vā] -vi, n
- to protest or complain bitterly or vehemently : rail
in·vei·gle [in-'vā-gəl sometimes -'vē-] -vt, n
- to win over by wiles : entice
- to acquire by ingenuity or flattery : wangle
- inveigled her way into a promotion
in·vent [in-'vent] -vt, n
- find, discover
- to devise by thinking : fabricate
- to produce (as something useful) for the first time through the use of the imagination or of ingenious thinking and experiment
in·ven·tion [in-'ven(t)-shən] -n
- discovery, finding
- productive imagination : inventiveness
- : something invented: as
- a product of the imagination
- a false conception
- a device, contrivance, or process originated after study and experiment
- a short keyboard composition featuring two- or three-part counterpoint
- the act or process of inventing
in·ven·tive [in-'ven-tiv] -adj, adv, n
- adept or prolific at producing inventions : creative
- characterized by invention
in·ven·to·ry ['in-vən-,tȯr-ē] -n, adj, adv
- : an itemized list of current assets: as
- a catalog of the property of an individual or estate
- a list of goods on hand
- a survey of natural resources
- a list of traits, preferences, attitudes, interests, or abilities used to evaluate personal characteristics or skills
- survey, summary
- the quantity of goods or materials on hand : stock
- the act or process of taking an inventory
inventory -vt
- to make an inventory of : catalog
in·ver·ness [,in-vər-'nes] -n
- a loose belted coat having a cape with a close-fitting round collar
in·verse [(,)in-'vərs, 'in-,] -adj
- opposite in order, nature, or effect
- being an inverse function
inverse -n
- something of a contrary nature or quality : opposite, reverse
- a proposition or theorem formed by contradicting both the subject and predicate or both the hypothesis and conclusion of a given proposition or theorem
- the inverse of if A then B is if not-A then not-B
- inverse function
- an operation (as subtraction) that undoes the effect of another operation
- a set element that is related to another element in such a way that the result of applying a given binary operation to them is an identity element of the set
inverse function -n
- a function that is derived from a given function by interchanging the two variables
- y = x is the inverse function of y = x
in·verse·ly ['in-,vərs-lē, (,)in-'] -adv
- in an inverse order or manner
- in the manner of inverse variation
inversely proportional -adj
- related by inverse variation
inverse square law -n
- a statement in physics: a given physical quantity (as illumination) varies with the distance from the source inversely as the square of the distance
inverse variation -n
- mathematical relationship between two variables which can be expressed by an equation in which the product of two variables is equal to a constant
- an equation or function expressing inverse variation
in·ver·sion [in-'vər-zhən, -shən] -n
- : a reversal of position, order, form, or relationship: as
- a change in normal word order
- the placement of a verb before its subject
- the process or result of changing or reversing the relative positions of the notes of a musical interval, chord, or phrase
- the condition of being turned inward or inside out
- a breaking off of a chromosome section and its subsequent reattachment in inverted position
- a chromosomal section that has undergone this process
- the act or process of inverting
- a change in the order of the terms of a mathematical proportion effected by inverting each ratio
- the operation of forming the inverse of a magnitude, a function, an operation, or an element
- the conversion of dextrorotatory sucrose into a levorotatory mixture of glucose and fructose
- a change from one stereochemical figuration at a chiral center in a usu. organic molecule to the opposite configuration that is brought about by a reaction in which a substitution of one group is made for a different group
- homosexuality
- an increase of temperature with height through a layer of air
in·ver·sive [-'vər-siv, -ziv] -adj
- marked by inversion
in·vert [in-'vərt] -vt
- to reverse in position, order, or relationship
- to subject to inversion
- to turn inside out or upside down
- to turn inward
- to find the mathematical reciprocal of
- to divide using fractions, invert the divisor and multiply
- one characterized by inversion
- homosexual
in·ver·tase [in-'vər-,tās, -,tāz; 'in-vər-,] -n
- an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of sucrose
in·ver·te·brate [(,)in-'vər-tə-brət, -,brāt] -adj, n
- lacking a spinal column
- of, relating to, or concerned with invertebrate animals
- lacking in strength or vitality : weak
inverted comma -n
- quotation mark
in·vert·er [in-'vər-tər] -n
- one that inverts
- a device for converting direct current into alternating current
in·vert·ible [in-'vər-tə-bəl] -adj
- capable of being inverted or subjected to inversion
invert sugar -n
- a mixture of dextrose and levulose found in fruits or produced artificially by the inversion of sucrose
in·vest [in-'vest] -vt
- to array in the symbols of office or honor
- to furnish with power or authority
- to grant someone control or authority over : vest
- to cover completely : envelop
- clothe, adorn
- to surround with troops or ships so as to prevent escape or entry
- to endow with a quality : infuse
invest [-'ves-tə-bəl] -vb, adj, n
- to commit (money) in order to earn a financial return
- to make use of for future benefits or advantages
- invest ed her time wisely
- to involve or engage esp. emotionally
- were deeply invest ed in their children's lives
- to make an investment
in·ves·ti·gate [in-'ves-tə-,gāt] -vb, n, adj
- to observe or study by close examination and systematic inquiry
- to make a systematic examination
- to conduct an official inquiry
in·ves·ti·ga·tion·al [in-,ves-tə-'gā-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl] -adj
- of or relating to investigation
- investigational activities
- relating to or being a drug or medical procedure that is not approved for general use but is under investigation in clinical trials regarding its safety and efficacy
- an investigational new drug
in·ves·ti·ture [in-'ves-tə-,chu̇r, -chər, -,tyu̇r, -,tu̇r] -n
- the act of establishing in office or ratifying
- something that covers or adorns
in·vest·ment [in-'ves(t)-mənt] -n
- vestment
- an outer layer : envelope
- investiture
- blockade, siege
investment -n
- the outlay of money usu. for income or profit : capital outlay
- the sum invested or the property purchased
investment company -n
- a company whose primary business is holding securities of other companies purely for investment purposes
in·vet·er·a·cy [in-'ve-t(ə-)rə-sē] -n
- the quality or state of being obstinate or persistent : tenacity
in·vet·er·ate [in-'ve-t(ə-)rət] -adj, adv
- firmly established by long persistence
- the inveterate tendency to overlook the obvious
- confirmed in a habit : habitual
in·vi·a·ble [(,)in-'vī-ə-bəl] -adj, n
- incapable of surviving esp. because of a deleterious genetic constitution
in·vid·i·ous [in-'vi-dē-əs] -adj, adv, n
- tending to cause discontent, animosity, or envy
- the invidious task of arbitration
- envious
- of an unpleasant or objectionable nature : obnoxious
- of a kind to cause harm or resentment
in·vig·i·late [in-'vi-jə-,lāt] -vb, n
- to keep watch
- to supervise students at an examination
- supervise, monitor
in·vig·o·rate [in-'vi-gə-,rāt] -vt, adv, n
- to give life and energy to : animate
- stimulate
in·vin·ci·ble [(,)in-'vin(t)-sə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- incapable of being conquered, overcome, or subdued
- a seemingly invincible army
in·vi·o·la·ble [(,)in-'vī-ə-lə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- secure from violation or profanation
- secure from assault or trespass : unassailable
in·vi·o·la·cy [(,)in-'vī-ə-lə-sē] -n
- the quality or state of being inviolate
in·vi·o·late [-'vī-ə-lət] -adj, adv, n
- not violated or profaned
- pure
in·vis·cid [(,)in-'vi-səd] -adj
- having zero viscosity
- of or relating to an inviscid fluid
in·vis·i·ble [(,)in-'vi-zə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- incapable by nature of being seen
- inaccessible to view : hidden
- imperceptible, inconspicuous
- not appearing in published financial statements
- not reflected in statistics
invisible hand -n
- a hypothetical economic force that in a freely competitive market works for the benefit of all
in·vi·ta·tion [,in-və-'tā-shən] -n
- the act of inviting
- an often formal request to be present or participate
- incentive, inducement
in·vi·ta·tion·al [-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl] -adj, n
- limited to invited participants
- an invitational tournament
- prepared or entered in response to a request
in·vi·ta·to·ry [in-'vī-tə-,tȯr-ē] -adj
- containing an invitation
invitatory -n
- an invitatory psalm or antiphon
in·vite [in-'vīt] -vt, n
- to offer an incentive or inducement to : entice
- to increase the likelihood of
- to request the presence or participation of
- to request formally
- to urge politely : welcome
- invitation
in·vi·tee [,in-və-'tē, -,vī-] -n
- an invited person
inviting -adj, adv
- attractive, tempting
in vi·tro [in-'vē-(,)trō, -'vi-, -'wē-] -adv or adj
- outside the living body and in an artificial environment
in vitro fertilization -n
- fertilization of an egg in a laboratory dish or test tube
- fertilization by mixing sperm with eggs surgically removed from an ovary followed by uterine implantation of one or more of the resulting fertilized eggs abbr. IVF
in vi·vo [in-'vē-(,)vō, -'wē-(,)wō] -adv or adj
- in the living body of a plant or animal
in·vo·cate ['in-və-,kāt] -vt
- invoke
in·vo·ca·tion [,in-və-'kā-shən] -n, adj
- the act or process of petitioning for help or support
- a prayer of entreaty (as at the beginning of a service of worship)
- a calling upon for authority or justification
- a formula for conjuring : incantation
- an act of legal or moral implementation : enforcement
in·voice ['in-,vȯis] -n
- an itemized list of goods shipped usu. specifying the price and the terms of sale : bill
- a consignment of merchandise
invoice -vt
- to send an invoice for or to
in·voke [in-'vōk] -vt, n
- to petition for help or support
- to appeal to or cite as authority
- to call forth by incantation : conjure
- to make an earnest request for : solicit
- to put into effect or operation : implement
- bring about, cause
in·vo·lu·cre ['in-və-,lü-kər] -n, adj
- one or more whorls of bracts situated below and close to a flower, flower cluster, or fruit
in·vo·lu·crum [,in-və-'lü-krəm] -n
- a surrounding envelope or sheath
in·vol·un·tary [(,)in-'vä-lən-,ter-ē, -,te-rē] -adj, adv, n
- done contrary to or without choice
- compulsory
- not subject to control of the will : reflex
involuntary manslaughter -n
- manslaughter resulting from the failure to perform a legal duty expressly required to safeguard human life, from the commission of an unlawful act not constituting a felony, or from the commission of a lawful act in a negligent or improper manner
involuntary muscle -n
- muscle governing reflex functions and not under direct voluntary control
- smooth muscle
in·vo·lute ['in-və-,lüt] -adj
- curled spirally
- curled or curved inward
- having the edges rolled over the upper surface toward the midrib
- having the form of an involute
- a gear with involute teeth
- involved, intricate
involute -n
- a curve traced by a point on a thread kept taut as it is unwound from another curve
in·vo·lute [,in-və-'lüt] -vi
- to become involute
- to return to a former condition
- to become cleared up : disappear
in·vo·lu·tion [,in-və-'lü-shən] -n, adj
- the act or an instance of enfolding or entangling : involvement
- an involved grammatical construction usu. characterized by the insertion of clauses between the subject and predicate
- complexity, intricacy
- exponentiation
- an inward curvature or penetration
- the formation of a gastrula by ingrowth of cells formed at the dorsal lip
- a shrinking or return to a former size
- the regressive alterations of a body or its parts characteristic of the aging process
- skeletal involution due to loss of estrogens at menopause
in·volve [in-'välv, -'vȯlv also -'väv or -'vȯv] -vt, n
- to enfold or envelop so as to encumber
- to engage as a participant
- workers involved in building a house
- to oblige to take part
- right of Congress to involve the nation in war
- to occupy (as oneself) absorbingly
- to commit (as oneself) emotionally
- was involved with a married man
- to surround as if with a wrapping : envelop
- to wind, coil, or wreathe about
- to relate closely : connect
- to have within or as part of itself : include
- to require as a necessary accompaniment : entail
- affect
- the cancer involved the lymph nodes
involved [-'väl-vəd-lē, -'vȯl- also -'vä-vəd- or -'vȯ-] -adj, adv
- involute, twisted
- marked by extreme and often needless or excessive complexity
- difficult to deal with because of complexity or disorder
- being affected or implicated
in·vul·ner·a·ble [(,)in-'vəl-n(ə-)rə-bəl, -nər-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- incapable of being wounded, injured, or harmed
- immune to or proof against attack : impregnable
in·ward ['in-wərd] -adj
- situated on the inside : inner
- of or relating to the mind or spirit
- absorbed in one's own mental or spiritual life : introspective
- marked by close acquaintance : familiar
- directed toward the interior
inward [-wərdz] -adv
- toward the inside, center, or interior
- toward the inner being
- something that is inward
- innards
Inward Light -n
- inner light
in·ward·ly ['in-wərd-lē] -adv
- in the innermost being : mentally, spiritually
- beneath the surface : internally
- to oneself : privately
in·ward·ness -n
- internal quality or substance
- close acquaintance : familiarity
- fundamental nature : essence
- absorption in one's own mental or spiritual life
in·weave [(,)in-'wēv] -vt
- interweave, interlace
inwrought [(,)in-'rȯt, 'in-,] -adj
- having decoration worked in : ornamented
- decorated with embroidery
- worked in esp. as decoration
inyourface -adj
- characterized by or expressive of bold and often defiant aggressiveness
- aggressively intrusive