2. To unite intimately; to cause to become as one. They were still together, grew (For so they said themselves) inosculated. Tennyson.
INOSCULATIONIn*os`cu*la"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. inosculation.]
Defn: The junction or connection of vessels, channels, or passages, so that their contents pass from one to the other; union by mouths or ducts; anastomosis; intercommunication; as, inosculation of veins, etc. Ray.
INOSINICIn`o*sin"ic, a. Etym: [From Inosite.] (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or derived from, inosite; as, inosinic acid.
INOSITEIn"o*site, n. Etym: [Gr. (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: A white crystalline substance with a sweet taste, found in certain animal tissues and fluids, particularly in the muscles of the heart and lungs, also in some plants, as in unripe pease, beans, potato sprouts, etc. Called also phaseomannite.
Note: Chemically,it has the composition represented by the formula, C6H12O6+H2O, and was formerly regarded as a carbohydrate, isomeric with dextrose, but is now known to be an aromatic compound (a hexacid phenol derivative of benzene).
INOXIDIZABLEIn*ox"idi`za*ble, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Incapable of being oxidized; as, gold and platinum are inoxidizable in the air.
INOXIDIZEIn*ox"i*dize, v. i.
Defn: To prevent or hinder oxidation, rust, or decay; as, inoxidizing oils or varnishes.
INPATIENTIn"pa`tient, n.
Defn: A patient who receives lodging and food, as well as treatment, in a hospital or an infirmary; — distinguished from outpatient.
IN POSSEIn` pos"se. Etym: [L.]
Defn: In possibility; possible, although not yet in existence or come to pass; — contradistinguished from in esse.
INQUARTATIONIn`quar*ta"tion, n.
Defn: Quartation.
INQUESTIn"quest, n. Etym: [OE. enqueste, OF. enqueste, F. enquête, LL.inquesta, for inquisita, fr. L. inquisitus, p.p. of inquirere. SeeInquire.]
1. Inquiry; quest; search. [R.] Spenser. The laborious and vexatious inquest that the soul must make after science. South.
2. (Law) (a) Judicial inquiry; official examination, esp. before a jury; as, a coroner's inquest in case of a sudden death. (b) A body of men assembled under authority of law to inquire into any matterm civil or criminal, particularly any case of violent or sudden death; a jury, particularly a coroner's jury. The grand jury is sometimes called the grand inquest. See under Grand. (c) The finding of the jury upon such inquiry. Coroner's inquest, an inquest held by a coroner to determine the cause of any violent, sudden, or mysterious death. See Coroner. — Inquest of office, an inquiry made, by authority or direction of proper officer, into matters affecting the rights and interests of the crown or of the state. Craig. Bouvier.
INQUIETIn*qui"et, v. t. Etym: [L. inquietare: cf. F. inquieter. See Quiet.]
Defn: To disquiet. [Obs.] Joye.
INQUIETATIONIn*qui`e*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. inquietatio : cf. F. inquielation.]
Defn: Disturbance. [Obs.] Sir T. Elyot.
INQUIETNESSIn*qui"et*ness, n.
Defn: Unquietness. [Obs.] Joye.
INQUIETUDEIn*qui"e*tude, n. Etym: [L. inquietudo: cf. F. inquietude.]
Defn: Disturbed state; uneasiness either of body or mind; restlessness; disquietude. Sir H. Wotton.
INQUILINEIn"qui*line, n. Etym: [L. inquilinus a tenant, lodger.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A gallfly which deposits its eggs in galls formed by other insects.
INQUINATE In"qui*nate, v. t. Etym: [L. inquinatus, p.p. of inquinare to defile.]
Defn: To defile; to pollute; to contaminate; to befoul. [Obs.] Sir T.Browne.
INQUINATIONIn`qui*na"tion, n. Etym: [L. inquinatio.]
Defn: A defiling; pollution; stain. [Obs.] Bacon.
INQUIRABLEIn*quir"a*ble, a. Etym: [Cf. OF. enquerable.]
Defn: Capable of being inquired into; subject or liable to inquisition or inquest. Bacon.
INQUIRANCEIn*quir"ance, n.
Defn: Inquiry. [Obs.] Latimer.
INQUIRE In*quire", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Inquired; p. pr. & vb. n. Inquiring.] Etym: [OE. enqueren, inqueren, OF. enquerre, F. enquérir, L. inquirere, inquisitum; pref. in- in + quarere to seek. See Quest a seeking, and cf. Inquiry.] [Written also enquire.]
1. To ask a question; to seek for truth or information by putting queries. We will call the damsel, and inquire. Gen. xxiv. 57. Then David inquired of the Lord yet again. And the Lord answered him. 1 Sam. xxiii. 4.
2. To seek to learn anything by recourse to the proper means of knoledge; to make examination. And inquire Gladly into the ways of God with man. Miltom.
Note: This word is followed by of before the person asked; as, to inquire of a neighbor. It is followed by concerning, after, or about, before the subject of inquiry; as, his friends inquired about or concerning his welfare. "Thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this." Eccl. vii. 10. It is followed by into when search is made for particular knowledge or information; as, to inquire into the cause of a sudden death. It is followed by for or after when a place or person is sought, or something is missing. "Inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus." Acts ix. 11.
INQUIREIn*quire", v. t.
1. To ask about; to seek to know by asking; to make examination orinquiry respecting.Having thus at length inquired the truth concerning law and dispense.Milton.And all obey and few inquire his will. Byron.
2. To call or name. [Obs.] Spenser.
Syn.— To ask; question. See Question.
INQUIRENTIn*quir"ent, a. Etym: [L. inquirens, p. pr.]
Defn: Making inquiry; inquiring; questioning. [Obs.] Shenstone.
INQUIRERIn*quir"er, n. Etym: [Written also enquirer.]
Defn: One who inquires or examines; questioner; investigator. Locke.Expert inquirers after truth. Cowper.
INQUIRINGIn*quir"ing, a.
Defn: Given to inquiry; disposed to investigate causes; curious; as, an inquiring mind.
INQUIRINGLYIn*quir"ing*ly, adv.
Defn: In an inquiring manner.
INQUIRY In*quir"y, n.; pl. Inquiries. Etym: [See Inquire.] [Written also enquiry.]
1. The act of inquiring; a seeking for information by asking questions; interrogation; a question or questioning. He could no path nor track of foot descry, Nor by inquiry learn, nor guess by aim. Spenser. The men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate. Acts x. 17.
2. Search for truth, information, or knoledge; examination into facts or principles; research; invextigation; as, physical inquiries. All that is wanting to the perfection of this art will undoubtedly be found, if able men . . . will make inquiry into it. Dryden. Court of inquiry. See under Court. — Writ of inquiry, a writ issued in certain actions at law, where the defendant has suffered judgment to pass against him by default, in order to ascertain and assess the plaintiff's damages, where they can not readily be ascertained by mere calculation. Burrill.
Syn. — Interrogation; interrogatory; question; query; scrutiny; investigation; research; examination.
INQUISIBLEIn*quis"i*ble, a.
Defn: Admitting judicial inquiry. [Obs.] Sir M. Hale.
INQUISITIONIn`qui*si"tion, n. Etym: [L. inquisitio : cf. F. inquisition. SeeInquire, and cf. Inquest.]
1. The act of inquiring; inquiry; search; examination; inspection; investigation. As I could learn through earnest inquisition. Latimer. Let not search and inquisition quail To bring again these foolish runaways. Shak.
2. (Law) (a) Judicial inquiry; official examination; inquest. (b) The finding of a jury, especially such a finding under a writ of inquiry. Bouvier. The justices in eyre had it formerly in charge to make inquisition concerning them by a jury of the county. Blackstone.
3. (R. C. Ch.)
Defn: A court or tribunal for the examination and punishment of heretics, fully established by Pope Gregory IX. in 1235. Its operations were chiefly confined to Spain, Portugal, and their dependencies, and a part of Italy.
INQUISITIONIn`qui*si"tion, v. t.
Defn: To make inquisistion concerning; to inquire into. [Obs.]Milton.
INQUISITIONALIn`qui*si"tion*al, a. Etym: [LL. inquisitionalis.]
Defn: Relating to inquiry or inquisition; inquisitorial; also, of or pertaining to, or characteristic of, the Inquisition. All the inquisitional rigor . . . executed upon books. Milton.
INQUISITIONARYIn`qui*si"tion*a*ry, (, a. Etym: [Cf. F. inquisitionnaire.] [R.]
Defn: Inquisitional.
INQUISITIVEIn*quis"i*tive, a. Etym: [OE. inquisitif, F. inquisitif.]
1. Disposed to ask questions, especially in matters which do not concern the inquirer. A wise man is not inquisitive about things impertinent. Broome.
2. Given to examination, investigation, or research; searching; curious. A young, inquisitive, and sprightly genius. I. Watts.
Syn. — Inquiring; prying; curious; meddling; intrusive. — Inquisitive, Curious, Prying. Curious denotes a feeling, and inquisitive a habit. We are curious when we desire to learn something new; we are inquisitive when we set ourselves to gain it by inquiry or research. Prying implies inquisitiveness, and is more commonly used in a bad sense, as indicating a desire to penetrate into the secrets of others. [We] curious are to hear, What happens new. Milton. This folio of four pages [a newspaper], happy work! Which not even critics criticise; that holds Inquisitive attention, while I read. Cowper. Nor need we with a prying eye survey The distant skies, to find the Milky Way. Creech.
INQUISITIVEIn*quis"i*tive, n.
Defn: A person who is inquisitive; one curious in research. Sir W.Temple.
INQUISITIVELYIn*quis"i*tive*ly, adv.
Defn: In an inquisitive manner. The occasion that made him afterwards so inquisitively apply himself to the study of physic. Boyle.
INQUISITIVENESSIn*quis"i*tive*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being inquisitive; the disposition to seek explanation and information; curiosity to learn what is unknown; esp., uncontrolled and impertinent curiosity. Mr. Boswell, whose inquisitiveness is seconded by great activity, scrambled in at a high window. Johnson. Curiosity in children nature has provided, to remove that ignorance they were born with; which, without this busy inquisitiveness, will make them dull. Locke.
INQUISITORIn*quis"i*tor, n. Etym: [L.: cf. F. inquisiteur. See Inquire.]
1. An inquisitive person; one fond of asking questions. [R.] "Inquisitors are tatlers." Feltham.
2. (Law)
Defn: One whose official duty it is to examine and inquire, as coroners, sheriffs, etc. Mozley & W.
3. (R.C.Ch.)
Defn: A member of the Court of Inquisition.
INQUISITORIALIn*quis`i*to"ri*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. inquisitorial.]
1. Pertaining to inquisition; making rigorous and unfriendly inquiry; searching; as, inquisitorial power. "Illiberal and inquisitorial abuse." F. Blackburne. He conferred on it a kind of inquisitorial and censorious power even over the laity, and directed it to inquire into all matters of conscience. Hume.
2. Pertaining to the Court of Inquisition or resembling its practices. "Inquisitorial robes." C. Buchanan.
INQUISITORIALLYIn*quis`i*to"ri*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In an inquisitorial manner.
INQUISITORIOUSIn*quis`i*to"ri*ous, a.
Defn: Making strict inquiry; inquisitorial. [Obs.] Milton.
INQUISITURIENTIn*quis`i*tu"ri*ent, a.
Defn: Inquisitorial. [Obs.] "Our inquisiturient bishops." Milton.
INRACINATE In*rac"i*nate, v. t. Etym: [Pref. in- in + F. racine root: cf. F. enraciner.]
Defn: To enroot or implant.
INRAILIn*rail", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inrailed; p. pr. & vb. n. Inrailing.]
Defn: To rail in; to inclose or surround, as with rails. Hooker.
INREGISTERIn*reg"is*ter, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inreristered; p. pr. & vb. n.Inregistering.] Etym: [Pref. in- in + register: cf. F. enregistrer.Cf. Enregister.]
Defn: To register; to enter, as in a register. [R.] Walsh.
IN REM In rem. [L.] (Law) Lit., in or against a (or the) thing; — used: (a) Of any right (called right, or jus, in rem) of such a nature as to be available over its subject without reference to one person more than another, or, as generally expressed, a right competent, or available, against all persons. Rights in rem include not alone rights over physical property, but all rights available against all persons indifferently, as those of life, liberty, and reputation. (b) Of actions for recovering or reducing to possession or enjoyment a specific object, as in the enforcement of maritime liens against a vessel, which is made the defendant by a sort of personification. Most actions for the specific recovery of property in English and American law are in the nature of actions in personam against a person alleged to be unlawfully withholding the property.
INROIn"ro, n. [Jap. inro; in seal + ro box.]
Defn: A small closed receptacle or set of receptacles of hard material, as lacquered wood, iron, bronze, or ivory, used by the Japanese to hold medicines, perfumes, and the like, and carried in the girdle. It is usually secured by a silk cord by which the wearer may grasp it, which cord passes through an ornamental button or knob called a netsuke.
INROADIn"road`, n.
Defn: The entrance of an enemy into a country with purposes of hostility; a sudden or desultory incursion or invasion; raid; encroachment. The loss of Shrewsbury exposed all North Wales to the daily inroads of the enemy. Clarendon. With perpetual inroads to alarm, Though inaccessible, his fatal throne. Milton.
Syn.— Invasion; incursion; irruption. See Invasion.
INROADIn*road", v.t [imp. & p. p. Inroaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Inroading.]
Defn: To make an inroad into; to invade. [Obs.]The Saracens . . . conquered Spain, inroaded Aquitaine. Fuller.
INROLLIn*roll", v. t.
Defn: See Enroll.
INRUNNINGIn"run`ning, n.
Defn: The act or the place of entrance; an inlet. Tennyson.
INRUSHIn"rush`, n.
Defn: A rush inwards; as, the inrush of the tide. G. Eliot.
INRUSHIn*rush", v. i.
Defn: To rush in. [Obs.] Holland.
INSABBATATIIn*sab`ba*ta"ti, n. pl. Etym: [LL. Insabatati. See 1st In-, andSabot.]
Defn: The Waldenses; — so called from their peculiary cut or marked sabots, or shoes.
INSAFETYIn*safe"ty, n.
Defn: Insecurity; danger. [Obs.]
INSALIVATIONIn*sal`i*va"tion, n. (Physiol.)
Defn: The mixing of the food with the saliva and other secretions of the mouth in eating.
INSALUBRIOUS In`sa*lu"bri*ous, a. Etym: [Pref. in- not + salubrious: cf. L. insalubris, F. insalubre.]
Defn: Not salubrious or healthful; unwholesome; as, an insalubrious air or climate.
INSALUBRITYIn`sa*lu"bri*ty, n. Etym: [Cf.F. insalubrite.]
Defn: Unhealthfulness; unwholesomeness; as, the insalubrity of air, water, or climate. Boyle.
INSALUTARYIn*sal"u*ta*ry, a. Etym: [L. insaluteris : cf. F. insalutaire. SeeIn- not, and Salutary.]
1. Not salutary or wholesome; unfavorable to health.
2. Not tending to safety; productive of evil.
INSANABILITYIn*san`a*bil"i*ty, n.
Defn: The state of being insanable or incurable; insanableness.
INSANABLE In*san"a*ble, a. Etym: [L. insanabilis; cf. OF. insanable. See In- not, and Sanable.]
Defn: Not capable of being healed; incurable; irremediable.
INSANABLENESSIn*san"a*ble*ness, n.
Defn: The state of being insanable; insanability; incurableness.
INSANABLYIn*san"a*bly, adv.
Defn: In an incurable manner.
INSANEIn*sane", a. Etym: [L. insanus. See In- not, and Sane.]
1. Exhibiting unsoundness or disorded of mind; not sane; mad; deranged in mind; delirious; distracted. See Insanity, 2.
2. Used by, or appropriated to, insane persons; as, an insane hospital.
3. Causing insanity or madness. [R.] Or have we eaten on the insaneroot That takes the reason prisoner Shak.
4. Characterized by insanity or the utmost folly; chimerical; unpractical; as, an insane plan, attempt, etc. I know not which was the insane measure. Southey.
INSANELYIn*sane"ly, adv.
Defn: Without reason; madly; foolishly.
INSANENESSIn*sane"ness, n.
Defn: Insanity; madness.
INSANIATEIn*sa"ni*ate, v. t.
Defn: To render unsound; to make mad. [Obs.] Feltham.
INSANIEIn*sa"nie, n.
Defn: Insanity. [Obs.] Shak.
INSANITARYIn*san"i*ta*ry, a.
Defn: Not sanitary; unhealthy; as, insanitary conditions of drainage.
INSANITATIONIn*san`i*ta"tion, n.
Defn: Lack of sanitation; careless or dangerous hygienic conditions.
INSANITY In*san"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. insanitas unsoundness; cf. insania insanity, F. insanite.]
1. The state of being insane; unsoundness or derangement of mind;madness; lunacy.All power of fancy overreason is a degree of insanity. Johnson.Without grace The heart's insanity admits no cure. Cowper.
2. (Law)
Defn: Such a mental condition, as, either from the existence of delusions, or from incapacity to distinguish between right and wrong, with regard to any matter under action, does away with individual responsibility.
Syn. - Insanity, Lunacy, Madness, Derangement, Aliention, Aberration, Mania, Delirium, Frenzy, Monomania, Dementia. Insanity is the generic term for all such diseases; lunacy has now an equal extent of meaning, though once used to denote periodical insanity; madness has the same extent, though originally referring to the rage created by the disease; derangement, alienation, are popular terms for insanity; delirium, mania, and frenzy denote excited states of the disease; dementia denotes the loss of mental power by this means; monomania is insanity upon a single subject.
INSAPORYIn*sa"po*ry, a. Etym: [Pref. in- not + sapor.]
Defn: Tasteless; unsavory. [R.] Sir T. Herbert.
INSATIABILITY In*sa`tia*bil"i*ty, n., Etym: [L. insatiabilitas; cf. F. insatiabilite.]
Defn: The state or quality of being insatiable; insatiableness. Eagerness for increase of possession deluges the soul, and we sink into the gulfs of insatiability. Rambler.
INSATIABLE In*sa"tia*ble, a. Etym: [F. insatiable, L. ionsatiabilis. See In- not, and Satiable.]
Defn: Not satiable; incapable of being satisfied or appeased; very greedy; as, an insatiable appetite, thirst, or desire. "Insatiable of glory." Milton.
INSATIABLENESSIn*sa"tia*ble*ness, n.
Defn: Greediness of appetite that can not be satisfied or appeased;insatiability.The eye of the covetous hath a more particular insatiableness. Bp.Hall.
INSATIABLYIn*sa"tia*bly, adv.
Defn: In an insatiable manner or degree; unappeasably. "Insatiably covetous." South.
INSATIATEIn*sa"ti*ate, a. Etym: [L. insatiatus.]
Defn: Insatiable; as, insatiate thirst.The insatiate greediness of his desires. Shak.And still insatiate, thirsting still for blood. Hook.
INSATIATELYIn*sa"ti*ate*ly, adv.
Defn: Insatiably. Sir T. Herbert.
INSATIATENESSIn*sa"ti*ate*ness, n.
Defn: The state of being insatiate.
INSATIETYIn`sa*ti"e*ty, n. Etym: [L. insatietas: cf. F. insatiete. SeeSatiety.]
Defn: Insatiableness. T. Grander.
INSATISFACTIONIn*sat`is*fac"tion, n.
1. Insufficiency; emptiness. [Obs.] Bacon.
2. Dissatisfaction. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
INSATURABLEIn*sat"u*ra*ble, a. Etym: [L. insaturabilis: cf. F. insaturable. SeeIn- not, and Saturable.]
Defn: Not capable of being saturated or satisfied.
INSCIENCEIn"science, n. Etym: [L. inscientia: cf.F. inscience.]
Defn: Want of knowledge; ignorance. [Obs.]
INSCIENTIn"scient, a. Etym: [L. insciens, -entis, ignorant. See In- not, andScient, Science.]
Defn: Having little or no knowledge; ignorant; stupid; silly. [R.] N.Bacon.
INSCIENTIn"scient, a. Etym: [Pref. in- in + L. sciens knowing.]
Defn: Having knowledge or insight; intelligent. [R.]Gaze on, with inscient vision, toward the sun. Mrs. Browning.
INSCONCEIn*sconce", v. t.
Defn: See Ensconce.
INSCRIBABLEIn*scrib"a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being inscribed, — used specif. (Math.) of solids or plane figures capable of being inscribed in other solids or figures.
INSCRIBABLENESSIn*scrib"a*ble*ness, n.
Defn: Quality of being inscribable.
INSCRIBEIn*scribe", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inscribed; p. pr. & vb. n.Inscribing.] Etym: [L. inscribere. See 1st In-, and Scribe.]
1. To write or engrave; to mark down as something to be read; to imprint. Inscribe a verse on this relenting stone. Pope.
2. To mark with letters, charakters, or words. O let thy once lov'd friend inscribe thy stone. Pope.
3. To assign or address to; to commend to by a shot address; to dedicate informally; as, to inscribe an ode to a friend. Dryden.
4. To imprint deeply; to impress; to stamp; as, to inscribe a sentence on the memory.
5. (Geom.)
Defn: To draw within so as to meet yet not cut the boundaries.
Note: A line is inscribed in a circle, or in a sphere, when its two ends are in the circumference of the circle, or in the surface of the sphere. A triangle is inscribed in another triangle, when the three angles of the former are severally on the three sides of the latter. A circle is inscribed in a polygon, when it touches each side of the polygon. A sphere is inscribed in a polyhedron, when the sphere touches each boundary plane of the polyhedron. The latter figure in each case is circumscribed about the former.
INSCRIBERIn*scrib"er, n.
Defn: One who inscribes. Pownall.
INSCRIPTIBLEIn*scrip"ti*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being inscribed; inscribable.
INSCRIPTION In*scrip"tion, n. Etym: [L. inscriptio, fr.inscribere, inscriptum, to inscribe: cf. F. inscription. See Inscribe.]
1. The act or process of inscribing.
2. That which is inscribed; something written or engraved; especially, a word or words written or engraved on a solid substance for preservation or public inspection; as, inscriptions on monuments, pillars, coins, medals, etc.
3. (Anat.)
Defn: A line of division or intersection; as, the tendinous inscriptions, or intersections, of a muscle.
4. An address, consignment, or informal dedication, as of a book to a person, as a mark of respect or an invitation of patronage.
INSCRIPTIVEIn*scrip"tive, a.
Defn: Bearing inscription; of the character or nature of an inscription.
INSCROLLIn*scroll", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inscrolled; p. pr. & vb. n.Inscrolling.]
Defn: To write on a scroll; to record. [Written also inscrol.] Shak.
INSCRUTABILITYIn*scru`ta*bil"i*ty, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being inscrutable; inscrutableness.
INSCRUTABLEIn*scru"ta*ble, a. Etym: [L. inscrutabilis : cf. F. inscrutable. SeeIn- not, and Scrutiny.]
Defn: Unsearchable; incapable of being searched into and understood by inquiry or study; impossible or difficult to be explained or accounted for satisfactorily; obscure; incomprehensible; as, an inscrutable design or event. 'T is not in man To yield a reason for the will of Heaven Which is inscrutable. Beau. & Fl. Waiving a question so inscrutable as this. De Quincey.
INSCRUTABLENESSIn*scru"ta*ble*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being inscrutable; inscrutability.
INSCRUTABLYIn*scru"ta*bly, adv.
Defn: In an inscrutable manner.
INSCULP In*sculp", v. t. Etym: [L. insculpere: cf. F. insculper. See 1st In-, and Sculptor.]
Defn: To engrave; to carve; to sculpture. [Obs. & R.] Shak.Which he insculped in two likely stones. Drayton.
INSCULPTIONIn*sculp"tion, n.
Defn: Inscription. [Obs.]
INSCULPTUREIn*sculp"ture, n.
Defn: An engraving, carving, or inscription. [Obs.]On his gravestone this insculpture. Shak.
INSCULPTUREDIn*sculp"tured, p. a.
Defn: Engraved. Glover.
INSEAMIn*seam", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inseamed; p. pr. & vb. n. Inseaming.]
Defn: To impress or mark with a seam or cicatrix. Pope.
INSEARCHIn*search", v. t.
Defn: To make search after; to investigate or examine; to ensearch.[Obs.]
INSECABLE In*sec"a*ble, a. Etym: [L. insecabilis; pref. in- not + secabilis that may be cut: cf. F. insecable.]
Defn: Incapable of being divided by cutting; indivisible.
INSECT In"sect, n. Etym: [F.insecte, L. insectum, fr. insectus, p.p. of insecare to cut in. See Section. The name was originally given to certain small animals, whose bodies appear cut in, or almost divided. Cf. Entomology.]
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Insecta; esp., one of the Hexapoda. See Insecta.
Note: The hexapod insects pass through three stages during their growth, viz., the larva, pupa, and imago or adult, but in some of the orders the larva differs little from the imago, except in lacking wings, and the active pupa is very much like the larva, except in having rudiments of wings. In the higher orders, the larva is usually a grub, maggot, or caterpillar, totally unlike the adult, while the pupa is very different from both larva and imago and is inactive, taking no food.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any air-breathing arthropod, as a spider or scorpion.
3. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any small crustacean. In a wider sense, the word is often loosely applied to various small invertebrates.
4. Fig.: Any small, trivial, or contemptible person or thing. Thomson. Insect powder,a powder used for the extermination of insects; esp., the powdered flowers of certain species of Pyrethrum, a genus now merged in Chrysanthemum. Called also Persian powder.
INSECTIn"sect, a.
1. Of or pertaining to an insect or insects.
2. Like an insect; small; mean; ephemeral.
INSECTAIn*sec"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Insect.]
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the classes of Arthropoda, including those that have one pair of antennæ, three pairs of mouth organs, and breathe air by means of tracheæ, opening by spiracles along the sides of the body. In this sense it includes the Hexapoda, or six-legged insects and the Myriapoda, with numerous legs. See Insect, n.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: In a more restricted sense, the Hexapoda alone. See Hexapoda.
3. (Zoöl.)
Defn: In the most general sense, the Hexapoda, Myriapoda, andArachnoidea, combined.
Note: The typical Insecta, or hexapod insects, are divided into several orders, viz.: Hymenoptera, as the bees and ants; Diptera, as the common flies and gnats; Aphaniptera, or fleas; Lepidoptera, or moths and butterflies; Neuroptera, as the ant-lions and hellgamite; Coleoptera, or beetles; Hemiptera, as bugs, lice, aphids; Orthoptera, as grasshoppers and cockroaches; Pseudoneuroptera, as the dragon flies and termites; Euplexoptera, or earwings; Thysanura, as the springtails, podura, and lepisma. See these words in the Vocabulary.
INSECTARYIn"sec*ta*ry, n.
Defn: A place for keeping living insects.— In`sec*ta"ri*um, n. Etym: [L.]
INSECTATIONIn`sec*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. insectatio. See Insectator.]
Defn: The act of pursuing; pursuit; harassment; persecution. [Obs.]Sir T. More.
INSECTATOR In`sec*ta"tor, n. Etym: [L., fr. insectari to pursue, freq. fr. insequi. See Ensue.]
Defn: A pursuer; a persecutor; a censorious critic. [Obs.] Bailey.
INSECTEDIn"sect*ed, a.
Defn: Pertaining to, having the nature of, or resembling, an insect.Howell.
INSECTICIDEIn*sec"ti*cide, n. Etym: [Insect + L. caedere to kill.]
Defn: An agent or preparation for destroying insects; an insectpowder.— In*sec"ti*ci`dal, a.
INSECTILEIn*sec"tile, a.
Defn: Pertaining to, or having the nature of, insects. Bacon.
INSECTIONIn*sec"tion, n. Etym: [See Insect.]
Defn: A cutting in; incisure; incision.
INSECTIVORA In`sec*tiv"o*ra, n. pl. Etym: [NL., from L. insectum an insect + vorare to devour.] (Zoöl.)
1. An order of mammals which feed principally upon insects.
Note: They are mostly of small size, and their molar teeth have sharp cusps. Most of the species burrow in the earth, and many of those of cold climates hibernate in winter. The order includes the moles, shrews, hedgehogs, tanrecs, and allied animals, also the colugo.
2. A division of the Cheiroptera, including the common or insect- eating bats.
INSECTIVOREIn*sec"ti*vore, n.; pl. Insectivores (-vorz). Etym: [F.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Insectivora.
INSECTIVOROUSIn`sec*tiv"o*rous, a. Etym: [See Insectivora.]
Defn: Feeding or subsisting on insects; carnivorous. The term is applied: (a) to
Defn: plants which have some special adaptation for catching and digesting insects, as the sundew, Venus's flytrap, Sarracenia, etc. (b) to
Defn: the Insectivora, and to many bats, birds, and reptiles.
INSECTOLOGERIn`sec*tol"o*ger, n.
Defn: An entomologist. [Obs.]
INSECTOLOGYIn`sec*tol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Insect + -logy: cf. F. insectologie.]
Defn: Entomology. [Obs.]
INSECUREIn`se*cure", a.
1. Not secure; not confident of safety or permanence; distrustful; suspicious; apprehensive of danger or loss. With sorrow and insecure apprehensions. Jer. Taylor.
2. Not effectually guarded, protected, or sustained; unsafe; unstable; exposed to danger or loss. Bp. Hurg. The trade with Egypt was exceedingly insecure and precarious. Mickle.
INSECURELYIn`se*cure"ly, adv.
Defn: In an insecure manner.
INSECURENESSIn`se*cure"ness, n.
Defn: Insecurity.
INSECURITY In`se*cu"ri*ty, n.; pl. Insecurities. Etym: [Pref.in- not + security : cf. LL. insecuritas, F. insecurite.]
1. The condition or quality of being insecure; want of safety; danger; hazard; as, the insecurity of a building liable to fire; insecurity of a debt.
2. The state of feeling insecure; uncertainty; want of confidence. With what insecurity of truth we ascribe effects . . . unto arbitrary calculations. Sir T. Browne. A time of insecurity, when interests of all sorts become objects of speculation. Burke.
INSECUTIONIn`se*cu"tion, n. Etym: [L. insecutio, fr. insequi p. p. insecutus.See Ensue.]
Defn: A following after; close pursuit. [Obs.] Chapman.
INSEMINATE In*sem"i*nate, v. t. Etym: [L. inseminatus, p. p. of inseminare to sow. See Seminate.]
Defn: To sow; to impregnate. [Obs.]
INSEMINATIONIn*sem`i*na"tion, n.
Defn: A sowing. [Obs.]
INSENSATEIn*sen"sate, a. Etym: [L. insensatus. See In- not, and Sensate.]
Defn: Wanting sensibility; destitute of sense; stupid; foolish.The silence and the calm Of mute, insensate things. Wordsworth.The meddling folly or insensate ambition of statesmen. Buckle.— In*sen"sate*ly, adv.— In*sen"sate*ness, n.
INSENSEIn*sense", v. t. Etym: [Pref. in- in + sense.]
Defn: To make to understand; to instruct. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
INSENSIBILITYIn*sen`si*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. insensibilité.]
1. The state or quality of being insensible; want of sensibility; torpor; unconsciousness; as, the insensibility produced by a fall, or by opiates.
2. Want of tenderness or susceptibility of emotion or passion; dullness; stupidity.
Syn. — Dullness; numbness; unfeelingness; stupidity; torpor; apathy; impassiveness; indifference.
INSENSIBLE In*sen"si*ble, a. Etym: [L. insensibilis: cf. F. insensible. See In- not, and Sensible.]
1. Destitute of the power of feeling or perceiving; wanting bodily sensibility. Milton.
2. Not susceptible of emotion or passion; void of feeling; apathetic; unconcerned; indifferent; as, insensible to danger, fear, love, etc.; — often used with of or to. Accept an obligation without being a slave to the giver, or insensible to his kindness. Sir H. Wotton. Lost in their loves, insensible of shame. Dryden.
3. Incapable of being perceived by the senses; imperceptible. Hence:Progressing by imperceptible degrees; slow; gradual; as, insensiblemotion.Two small and almost insensible pricks were found upon Cleopatra'sarm. Sir T. Browne.They fall away, And languish with insensible decay. Dryden.
4. Not sensible or reasonable; meaningless. [Obs.] If it make the indictment be insensible or uncertain, it shall be quashed. Sir M. Hale.
Syn. — Imperceptible; imperceivable; dull; stupid; torpid; numb; unfeeling; apathetic; stoical; impassive; indifferent; unsusceptible; hard; callous.
INSENSIBLENESSIn*sen"si*ble*ness, n.
Defn: Insensibility. Bp. Hall.
INSENSIBLYIn*sen"si*bly, adv.
Defn: In a manner not to be felt or perceived; imperceptibly;gradually.The hills rise insensibly. Addison.
INSENSITIVEIn*sen"si*tive, a.
Defn: Not sensitive; wanting sensation, or wanting acute sensibility.Tillotson. Ruskin.
INSENSUOUSIn*sen"su*ous, a. Etym: [Pref. in- not + sensuous.]
Defn: Not sensuous; not pertaining to, affecting, or addressing, thesenses.That intermediate door Betwixt the different planes of sensuous formAnd form insensuous. Mrs. Browning.
INSENTIENTIn*sen"ti*ent, a.
Defn: Not sentient; not having perception, or the power ofperception.The . . . attributes of an insentient, inert substance. Reid.But there can be nothing like to this sensation in the rose, becauseit is insentient. Sir W. Hamilton.
INSEPARABILITY In*sep`a*ra*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. inseparabilitas: cf. F. inséparabilité.]
Defn: The quality or state of being inseparable; inseparableness.Locke.
INSEPARABLEIn*sep"a*ra*ble, a. Etym: [L. inseparabilis: cf. F. inséparable. SeeIn-, and Separable.]
1. Not separable; incapable of being separated or disjoined. The history of every language is inseparable from that of the people by whom it is spoken. Mure. Liberty and union, now and forever, one and inseparable. D. Webster.
2. (Gram.)
Defn: Invariably attached to some word, stem, or root; as, the inseparable particle un-.
INSEPARABLENESSIn*sep"a*ra*ble*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being inseparable; inseparability. Bp.Burnet.
INSEPARABLYIn*sep"a*ra*bly, adv.
Defn: In an inseparable manner or condition; so as not to beseparable. Bacon.And cleaves through life inseparably close. Cowper.
INSEPARATEIn*sep"a*rate, a. Etym: [L. inseparatus. See In- not, and Separate.]
Defn: Not separate; together; united. Shak.
INSEPARATELYIn*sep"a*rate*ly, adv.
Defn: Inseparably. [Obs.] Cranmer.
INSERTIn*sert", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inserted; p. pr. & vb. n. Inserting.]Etym: [L. insertus, p. p. of inserere to insert; pref. in- in +serere to join, connect. See Series.]
Defn: To set within something; to put or thrust in; to introduce; to cause to enter, or be included, or contained; as, to insert a scion in a stock; to insert a letter, word, or passage in a composition; to insert an advertisement in a newspaper. These words were very weakly inserted where they will be so liable to misconstruction. Bp. Stillingfleet.
INSERTEDIn*sert"ed, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Situated upon, attached to, or growing out of, some part; — said especially of the parts of the flower; as, the calyx, corolla, and stamens of many flowers are inserted upon the receptacle. Gray.
INSERTINGIn*sert"ing, n.
1. A setting in.
2. Something inserted or set in, as lace, etc., in garments. [R.]
INSERTIONIn*ser"tion, n. Etym: [L. insertio: cf. F. insertion. See Insert.]
1. The act of inserting; as, the insertion of scions in stocks; the insertion of words or passages in writings.
2. The condition or mode of being inserted or attached; as, the insertion of stamens in a calyx.
3. That which is set in or inserted, especially a narrow strip of embroidered lace, muslin, or cambric.
4. (Anat.)
Defn: The point or part by which a muscle or tendon is attached tothe part to be moved; — in contradistinction to its origin.Epigynous insertion (Bot.), the insertion of stamens upon the ovary.— Hypogynous insertion (Bot.), insertion beneath the ovary.
INSERVEIn*serve", v. i. Etym: [L. inservire; in- in + servire to serve.]
Defn: To be of use to an end; to serve. [Obs.]
INSERVIENTIn*serv"i*ent, a. Etym: [L. inserviens, p. pr. of inservire.]
Defn: Conducive; instrumental. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
INSESSION In*ses"sion, n. Etym: [L. insessio, fr. insidere, insessum, to sit in. See Insidious.]
1. The act of sitting, as in a tub or bath. "Used by way of fomentation, insession, or bath." [R.] Holland.
2. That in which one sits, as a bathing tub. [R.] Insessions be bathing tubs half full. Holland.
INSESSORIn*ses"sor, n.; pl. Insessores. Etym: [See Insessores.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Insessores. The group includes most of the common singing birds.
INSESSORES In`ses*so"res, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. L. insessor, lit., one who sits down, fr. incidere. See Insession.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: An order of birds, formerly established to include the perching birds, but now generally regarded as an artificial group.
INSESSORIALIn`ses*so"ri*al, a. (Zoöl.)
1. Pertaining to, or having the character of, perching birds.
2. Belonging or pertaining to the Insessores.
INSETIn*set", v. t.
Defn: To infix. [Obs.] Chaucer.
INSETIn"set, n.
1. That which is inserted or set in; an insertion.
2. (Bookbinding)
Defn: One or more separate leaves inserted in a volume before binding; as: (a) A portion of the printed sheet in certain sizes of books which is cut off before folding, and set into the middle of the folded sheet to complete the succession of paging; — also called offcut. (b) A page or pages of advertisements inserted.
INSEVERABLEIn*sev"er*a*ble, a.
Defn: Incapable of being severed; indivisible; inseparable. DeQuincey.
INSHADEDIn*shad"ed, a.
Defn: Marked with different shades. W. Browne.
INSHAVEIn"shave`, n. (Mech.)
Defn: A plane for shaving or dressing the concave or inside faces of barrel staves.
INSHEATHEIn*sheathe", v. t.
Defn: To insert as in a sheath; to sheathe. Hughes.
INSHELLIn*shell", v. t.
Defn: To hide in a shell. [Obs.] Shak.
INSHIPIn*ship", v. t.
Defn: To embark. [Obs.] Shak.
INSHOREIn"shore`, a.
Defn: Being near or moving towards the shore; as, inshore fisheries; inshore currents. — adv.
Defn: Towards the shore; as, the boat was headed inshore.
INSHRINEIn*shrine", v. t.
Defn: See Enshrine.
INSICCATIONIn`sic*ca"tion, n.
Defn: The act or process of drying in.
INSIDEIn"side`, prep. or adv.
Defn: Within the sides of; in the interior; contained within; as, inside a house, book, bottle, etc.
INSIDEIn"side`, a
1. Being within; included or inclosed in anything; contained; interior; internal; as, the inside passengers of a stagecoach; inside decoration. Kissing with inside lip. Shak.
2. Adapted to the interior. Inside callipers (Mech.), callipers for measuring the diameters of holes, etc. — Inside finish (Arch.), a general term for the final work in any building necessary for its completion, but other than unusual decoration; thus, in joiner work, the doors and windows, inside shutters, door and window trimmings, paneled jams, baseboards, and sometimes flooring and stairs; in plaster work, the finishing coat, the cornices, centerpieces, etc.,; in painting, all simple painting of woodwork and plastering. — Inside track, the inner part of a race course; hence, colloquially, advantage of place, facilities, etc., in competition.
INSIDEIn"side`, n.
1. The part within; interior or internal portion; content. Looked he o' the inside of the paper Shak.
2. pl.
Defn: The inward parts; entrails; bowels; hence, that which is within; private thoughts and feelings. Here's none but friends; we may speak Our insides freely. Massinger.
3. An inside passenger of a coach or carriage, as distinguished from one upon the outside. [Colloq. Eng.] So down thy hill, romantic Ashbourne, glides The Derby dilly, carrying three insides. Anti-Jacobin. Patent insides or outside, a name give to newspaper sheets printed on one side with general and miscellaneous matter, and furnished wholesale to offices of small newspapers, where the blank pages are filled up with recent and local news.
INSIDIATE In*sid"i*ate, v. t. Etym: [L. insidiatus, p. p. of insidiare to lie in ambush, fr. insidiae. See Insidious.]
Defn: To lie in ambush for. [Obs.] Heywood.
INSIDIATORIn*sid"i*a`tor, n. Etym: [L.]
Defn: One who lies in ambush. [Obs.] Barrow.
INSIDIOUSIn*sid"i*ous, a. Etym: [L. insidiosus, fr. insidiae an ambush, fr.insidere to sit in; pref. in- + sedere to sit: cf. F. insidieux. SeeSit.]
1. Lying in wait; watching an opportunity to insnare or entrap; deceitful; sly; treacherous; — said of persons; as, the insidious foe. "The insidious witch." Cowper.
2. Intended to entrap; characterized by treachery and deceit; as, insidious arts. The insidious whisper of the bad angel. Hawthorne. Insidious disease (Med.), a disease existing, without marked symptoms, but ready to become active upon some slight occasion; a disease not appearing to be as bad as it really is.
Syn.— Crafty; wily; artful; sly; designing; guileful; circumventive;treacherous; deceitful; deceptive.— In*sid"i*ous*ly, adv.— In*sid"i*ous*ness, n.
INSIGHTIn"sight`, n.
1. A sight or view of the interior of anything; a deep inspection or view; introspection; — frequently used with into. He had an insight into almost all the secrets of state. Jortin.
2. Power of acute observation and deduction; penetration; discernment; perception. Quickest insight In all things that to greatest actions lead. Milton.
INSIGNIAIn*sig"ni*a, n. pl. Etym: [L. insigne, pl. insignia, fr. insignisdistinguished by a mark; pref. in- in + signum a mark, sign. SeeEnsign, Sign.]
1. Distinguishing marks of authority, office, or honor; badges; tokens; decorations; as, the insignia of royalty or of an order.
2. Typical and characteristic marks or signs, by which anything is known or distinguished; as, the insignia of a trade.
INSIGNIFICANCEIn`sig*nif"i*cance, n.
1. The condition or quality of being insignificant; want of significance, sense, or meaning; as, the insignificance of words or phrases.
2. Want of force or effect; unimportance; pettiness; inefficacy; as, the insignificance of human art.
3. Want of claim to consideration or notice; want of influence or standing; meanness. Reduce him, from being the first person in the nation, to a state of insignificance. Beattie.
INSIGNIFICANCYIn`sig*nif"i*can*cy, n.
Defn: Insignificance.
INSIGNIFICANTIn`sig*nif"i*cant, a.
1. Not significant; void of signification, sense, or import; meaningless; as, insignificant words.
2. Having no weight or effect; answering no purpose; unimportant; valueless; futile. Laws must be insignificant without the sanction of rewards and punishments. Bp. Wilkins.
3. Without weight of character or social standing; mean; contemptible; as, an insignificant person.
Syn. — Unimportant; immaterial; inconsiderable; small; inferior; trivial; mean; contemptible.
INSIGNIFICANTLYIn`sig*nif"i*cant*ly, adv.
Defn: without significance, importance, or effect; to no purpose."Anger insignificantly fierce." Cowper.
INSIGNIFICATIVEIn`sig*nif"i*ca*tive, a. Etym: [L. insignificativus. See In- not, andSignificative.]
Defn: Not expressing meaning; not significant.
INSIGNMENTIn*sign"ment, n. Etym: [See Insignia.]
Defn: A token, mark, or explanation. [Obs.] Sir T. Elyot.
INSIMULATE In*sim"u*late, v. t. Etym: [L. insimulatus, p. p. of insimulare to accuse.]
Defn: To accuse. [Obs.] Donne.
INSINCEREIn`sin*cere", a. Etym: [L. insincerus. See In- not, and Sincere.]
1. Not being in truth what one appears to be; not sincere; dissembling; hypocritical; disingenuous; deceitful; false; — said of persons; also of speech, thought; etc.; as, insincere declarations.
2. Disappointing; imperfect; unsound. [Obs.] To render sleep's soft blessings insincere. Pope.
Syn. — Dissembling; hollow; hypocritical; deceptive deceitful; false; disingenuous; untrustworthy.
INSINCERELYIn`sin*cere"ly, adv.
Defn: Without sincerity.
INSINCERITYIn`sin*cer"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. insincérité.]
Defn: The quality of being insincere; want of sincerity, or of being in reality what one appears to be; dissimulation; hypocritical; deceitfulness; hollowness; untrustworthiness; as, the insincerity of a professed friend; the insincerity of professions of regard. What men call policy and knowledge of the world, is commonly no other thing than dissimulation and insincerity. Blair.
INSINEWIn*sin"ew, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Insinewed; p. pr. & vb. n.Insinewing.]
Defn: To strengthen, as with sinews; to invigorate. [Obs.]All members of our cause, . . . That are insinewed to this action.Shak.
INSINUANTIn*sin"u*ant, a. Etym: [L. insinuans, p. pr.: cf. F. insinuant.]
Defn: Insinuating; insinuative. [Obs.]
INSINUATEIn*sin"u*ate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Insinuated; p. pr. & vb. n.Insinuating.] Etym: [L. insinuatus, p. p. of insinuareto insinuate;pref. in- in + sinus the bosom. See Sinuous.]
1. To introduce gently or slowly, as by a winding or narrow passage, or a gentle, persistent movement. The water easily insinuates itself into, and placidly distends, the vessels of vegetables. Woodward.
2. To introduce artfully; to infuse gently; to instill. All the art of rhetoric, besides order and clearness, are for nothing else but to insinuate wrong ideas, move the passions, and thereby mislead the judgment. Locke. Horace laughs to shame all follies and insinuates virtue, rather by familiar examples than by the severity of precepts. Dryden.
3. To hint; to suggest by remote allusion; — often used derogatorily; as, did you mean to insinuate anything
4. To push or work (one's self), as into favor; to introduce by slow, gentle, or artful means; to ingratiate; — used reflexively. He insinuated himself into the very good grace of the Duke of Buckingham. Clarendon.
Syn.— To instill; hint; suggest; intimate.
INSINUATEIn*sin"u*ate, v. i.
1. To creep, wind, or flow in; to enter gently, slowly, or imperceptibly, as into crevices.
2. To ingratiate one's self; to obtain access or favor by flattery orcunning.He would insinuate with thee but to make thee sigh. Shak.To insinuate, flatter, bow, and bend my limbs. Shak.
INSINUATINGIn*sin"u*a`ting, a.
Defn: Winding, creeping, or flowing in, quietly or stealthily; suggesting; winning favor and confidence insensibly. Milton. His address was courteous, and even insinuating. Prescott.
INSINUATINGLYIn*sin"u*a`ting*ly, adv.
Defn: By insinuation.
INSINUATIONIn*sin"u*a`tion, n. Etym: [L. insinuatio: cf. F. insinuation.]
1. The act or process of insinuating; a creeping, winding, or flowing in. By a soft insinuation mix'd With earth's large mass. Crashaw.
2. The act of gaining favor, affection, or influence, by gentle or artful means; — formerly used in a good sense, as of friendly influence or interposition. Sir H. Wotton. I hope through the insinuation of Lord Scarborough to keep them here till further orders. Lady Cowper.
3. The art or power of gaining good will by a prepossessing manner. He bad a natural insinuation and address which made him acceptable in the best company. Clarendon.
4. That which is insinuated; a hint; a suggestion or intimation by distant allusion; as, slander may be conveyed by insinuations. I scorn your coarse insinuation. Cowper.
Syn.— Hint; intimation; suggestion. See Innuendo.
INSINUATIVEIn*sin"u*a*tive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. insinuatif.]
1. Stealing on or into the confidence or affections; having power to gain favor. "Crafty, insinuative, plausible men." Bp. Reynolds.
2. Using insinuations; giving hints; insinuating; as, insinuative remark.
INSINUATORIn*sin"u*a`tor, n. Etym: [L., an introducer.]
Defn: One who, or that which, insinuates. De Foe.
INSINUATORYIn*sin"u*a*to*ry, a.
Defn: Insinuative.
INSIPID In*sip"id, a. Etym: [L. insipidus; pref. in- not + sapidus savory, fr. sapere to taste: cf. F. insipide. See Savor.]
1. Wanting in the qualities which affect the organs of taste; without taste or savor; vapid; tasteless; as, insipid drink or food. Boyle.
2. Wanting in spirit, life, or animation; uninteresting; weak; vapid; flat; dull; heavy; as, an insipid woman; an insipid composition. Flat, insipid, and ridiculous stuff to him. South. But his wit is faint, and his salt, if I may dare to say so, almost insipid. Dryden.
Syn. — Tasteless; vapid; dull; spiritless; unanimated; lifeless; flat; stale; pointless; uninteresting.
INSIPIDITY; INSIPIDNESSIn`si*pid"i*ty, In*sip"id*ness, n. Etym: [Cf. F. insipidité.]
Defn: The quality or state of being insipid; vapidity. "Dryden's lines shine strongly through the insipidity of Tate's." Pope.
INSIPIDLYIn*sip"id*ly, adv.
Defn: In an insipid manner; without taste, life, or spirit; flatly.Locke. Sharp.
INSIPIENCEIn*sip"i*ence, n. Etym: [L. insipientia: cf. OF. insipience.]
Defn: Want of intelligence; stupidity; folly. [R.] Blount.
INSIPIENTIn*sip"i*ent, a. Etym: [L. insipiens; pref. in- not + sapiens wise.]
Defn: Wanting wisdom; stupid; foolish. [R.] Clarendon.— n.
Defn: An insipient person. [R.] Fryth.
INSISTIn*sist", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Insisted; p. pr. & vb. n. Insisting.]Etym: [F. insister, L. insistere to set foot upon, follow, persist;pref. in- in + sistere to stand, cause to stand. See Stand.]
1. To stand or rest; to find support; — with in, on, or upon. [R.] Ray.
2. To take a stand and refuse to give way; to hold to something firmly or determinedly; to be persistent, urgent, or pressing; to persist in demanding; — followed by on, upon, or that; as, he insisted on these conditions; he insisted on going at once; he insists that he must have money. Insisting on the old prerogative. Shak. Without further insisting on the different tempers of Juvenal and Horace. Dryden.
Syn. — Insist, Persist. — Insist implies some alleged right, as authority or claim. Persist may be from obstinacy alone, and either with or against rights. We insist as against others; we persist in what exclusively relates to ourselves; as, he persisted in that course; he insisted on his friend's adopting it. C. J. Smith.
INSISTENCEIn*sist"ence, n.
Defn: The quality of insisting, or being urgent or pressing; the act of dwelling upon as of special importance; persistence; urgency.
INSISTENTIn*sist"ent, a. Etym: [L. insistens, -entis, p. pr. of insistere.]
1. Standing or resting on something; as, an insistent wall. Sir H. Wotton.
2. Insisting; persistent; persevering.
3. (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Incumbent.
INSISTENTLYIn*sist"ent*ly, adv.
Defn: In an insistent manner.
INSISTUREIn*sis"ture, n.
Defn: A dwelling or standing on something; fixedness; persistence.[Obs.] Shak.
INSITIENCY In*si"ti`en*cy, n. Etym: [Pref. in- not + L. sitiens, p. pr. of sitire to be thirsty, fr. sitis thirst.]