Defn: Freedom from thirst. [Obs.]The insitiency of a camel for traveling in deserts. Grew.
INSITION In*si"tion, n. Etym: [L. insitio, fr. inserere, insitum, to sow or plant in, to ingraft; pref. in- in + serere, satum, to sow.]
Defn: The insertion of a scion in a stock; ingraftment. Ray.
IN SITUIn` si"tu. Etym: [L.]
Defn: In its natural position or place; — said of a rock or fossil, when found in the situation in which it was originally formed or deposited.
INSNAREIn*snare", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Insnared; p. pr. & vb. n. Insnaring.]Etym: [Written also ensnare.]
1. To catch in a snare; to entrap; to take by artificial means. "Insnare a gudgeon." Fenton.
2. To take by wiles, stratagem, or deceit; to involve in difficulties or perplexities; to seduce by artifice; to inveigle; to allure; to entangle. The insnaring charms Of love's soft queen. Glover.
INSNARERIn*snar"er, n.
Defn: One who insnares.
INSNARLIn*snarl", v. t.
Defn: To make into a snarl or knot; to entangle; to snarl. [Obs.]Cotgrave.
INSOBRIETYIn`so*bri"e*ty, n. Etym: [Pref. in- not + : cf. F. insobriété.]
Defn: Want of sobriety, moderation, or calmness; intemperance; drunkenness.
INSOCIABILITYIn*so`cia*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. insociabilité.]
Defn: The quality of being insociable; want of sociability; unsociability. [R.] Bp. Warburton.
INSOCIABLE In*so"cia*ble, a. Etym: [L. insociabilis: cf. F. insociable. See In- not, and Sociable.]
1. Incapable of being associated, joined, or connected. [Obs.] Lime and wood are insociable. Sir H. Wotton.
2. Not sociable or companionable; disinclined to social intercourse or conversation; unsociable; taciturn. This austere insociable life. Shak.
INSOCIABLYIn*so"cia*bly, adv.
Defn: Unsociably.
INSOCIATEIn*so"ci*ate, a.
Defn: Not associate; without a companion; single; solitary; recluse.[Obs.] "The insociate virgin life." B. Jonson.
INSOLATEIn"so*late, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Insolated; p. pr. & vb. n.Insolating.] Etym: [L. insolatus, p. p. of insolare to expose to thesun; pref. in- in + sol the sun.]
Defn: To dry in, or to expose to, the sun's rays; to ripen or prepare by such exposure. Johnson.
INSOLATIONIn`so*la"tion, n. Etym: [L. insolatio: cf. F. insolation.]
1. The act or process to exposing to the rays of the sun fro the purpose of drying or maturing, as fruits, drugs, etc., or of rendering acid, as vinegar.
2. (Med.) (a) A sunstroke. (b) Exposure of a patient to the sun's rays; a sun bath.
INSOLEIn"sole`, n.
Defn: The inside sole of a boot or shoe; also, a loose, thin strip of leather, felt, etc., placed
INSOLENCEIn"so*lence, n. Etym: [F. insolence, L. insolentia. See Insolent.]
1. The quality of being unusual or novel. [Obs.] Spenser.
2. The quality of being insolent; pride or haughtiness manifested in contemptuous and overbearing treatment of others; arrogant contempt; brutal imprudence. Flown with insolence and wine. Milton.
3. Insolent conduct or treatment; insult. Loaded with fetters and insolences from the soldiers. Fuller.
INSOLENCEIn"so*lence, v. t.
Defn: To insult. [Obs.] Eikon Basilike.
INSOLENCYIn"so*len*cy, n.
Defn: Insolence. [R.] Evelyn.
INSOLENT In"so*lent, a. Etym: [F. insolent, L. insolens, -entis, pref. in- not + solens accustomed, p. pr. of solere to be accustomed.]
1. Deviating from that which is customary; novel; strange; unusual. [Obs.] If one chance to derive any word from the Latin which is insolent to their ears . . . they forth with make a jest at it. Petti If any should accuse me of being new or insolent. Milton.
2. Haughty and contemptuous or brutal in behavior or language; overbearing; domineering; grossly rude or disrespectful; saucy; as, an insolent master; an insolent servant. "A paltry, insolent fellow." Shak. Insolent is he that despiseth in his judgment all other folks as in regard of his value, of his cunning, of his speaking, and of his bearing. Chaucer. Can you not see or will ye not observe . . . How insolent of late he is become, How proud, how peremptory Shak.
3. Proceeding from or characterized by insolence; insulting; as, insolent words or behavior. Their insolent triumph excited . . . indignation. Macaulay.
Syn. — Overbearing; insulting; abusive; offensive; saucy; impudent; audacious; pert; impertinent; rude; reproachful; opprobrious. — Insolent, Insulting. Insolent, in its primitive sense, simply denoted unusual; and to act insolently was to act in violation of the established rules of social intercourse. He who did this was insolent; and thus the word became one of the most offensive in our language, indicating gross disregard for the feelings of others. Insulting denotes a personal attack, either in words or actions, indicative either of scorn or triumph. Compare Impertinent, Affront, Impudence.
INSOLENTLYIn"so*lent*ly, adv.
Defn: In an insolent manner.
INSOLIDITY In`so*lid"i*ty, n. Etym: [Pref. in- not + solidity: cf. F. insolidité.]
Defn: Want of solidity; weakness; as, the insolidity of an argument.[R.] Dr. H. More.
INSOLUBILITYIn*sol`u*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. insolubilitas: cf. F. insolubilité.]
1. The quality or state of being insoluble or not dissolvable, as in a fluid.
2. The quality of being inexplicable or insolvable.
INSOLUBLEIn*sol"u*ble, a. Etym: [L. insolubilis indissoluble, that can not beloosed: cf. F. insoluble. See In- not, and Soluble, and cf.Insolvable.]
1. Not soluble; in capable or difficult of being dissolved, as by a liquid; as, chalk is insoluble in water.
2. Not to be solved or explained; insolvable; as, an insoluble doubt, question, or difficulty.
3. Strong. "An insoluble wall." [Obs.] Holland
INSOLUBLENESSIn*sol"u*ble*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being insoluble; insolubility. Boyle.
INSOLVABLEIn*solv"a*ble, a.
1. Not solvable; insoluble; admitting no solution or explanation; as, an insolvable problem or difficulty. I. Watts.
2. Incapable of being paid or discharged, as debts.
3. Not capable of being loosed or disentangled; inextricable. "Bands insolvable." Pope.
INSOLVENCY In*sol"ven*cy, n.; pl. Insolvencies (. (Law) (a) The condition of being insolvent; the state or condition of a person who is insolvent; the condition of one who is unable to pay his debts as they fall due, or in the usual course of trade and business; as, a merchant's insolvency. (b) Insufficiency to discharge all debts of the owner; as, the insolvency of an estate. Act of insolvency. See Insolvent law under Insolvent, a.
INSOLVENT In*sol"vent, a. Etym: [Pref. in- not + solvent: cf. OF. insolvent.] (Law) (a) Not solvent; not having sufficient estate to pay one's debts; unable to pay one's debts as they fall due, in the ordinary course of trade and business; as, in insolvent debtor. (b) Not sufficient to pay all the debts of the owner; as, an insolvent estate. (c) Relating to persons unable to pay their debts. Insolvent law, or Act of insolvency, a law affording relief, — subject to various modifications in different States, — to insolvent debtors, upon their delivering up their property for the benefit of their creditors. See Bankrupt law, under Bankrupt, a.
INSOLVENTIn*sol"vent, n. (Law)
Defn: One who is insolvent; as insolvent debtor; — in England, before 1861, especially applied to persons not traders. Bouvier.
INSOMNIA In*som"ni*a, n. Etym: [L., fr. insomnis sleepless; pref. in- not + somnus sleep.]
Defn: Want of sleep; inability to sleep; wakefulness; sleeplessness.
INSOMNIOUSIn*som"ni*ous, a. Etym: [L. insomniosus, fr. insomnia insomnia.]
Defn: Restless; sleepless. Blount.
INSOMNOLENCEIn*som"no*lence, n.
Defn: Sleeplessness.
INSOMUCHIn`so*much", adv.
Defn: So; to such a degree; in such wise; — followed by that or as, and formerly sometimes by both. Cf. Inasmuch. Insomusch as that field is called . . . Aceldama. Acts i. 19. Simonides was an excellent poet, insomuch that he made his fortune by it. L'Estrange.
INSONOROUSIn`so*no"rous, a.
Defn: Not clear or melodious.
INSOOTHIn*sooth", adv.
Defn: In sooth; truly. [Archaic]
INSOUCIANCEIn`sou`ciance", n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: Carelessness; heedlessness; thoughtlessness; unconcern.
INSOUCIANTIn`sou`ciant", a. Etym: [F.]
Defn: Careless; heedless; indifferent; unconcerned. J. S. Mill.
INSOULIn*soul", v. t.
Defn: To set a soul in; reflexively, to fix one's strongest affections on. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor. [He] could not but insoul himself in her. Feltham.
INSPANIn*span", v. t. & i. Etym: [D. inspannen.]
Defn: To yoke or harness, as oxen to a vehicle. [South Africa]
INSPECT In*spect", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inspected; p. pr. & vb. n. Inspecting.] Etym: [L. inspectus, p. p. of inspicere to inspect; pref. in- in + specere to look at, to view: cf. F. inspecter, fr. L. inspectare, freq. fr. inspicere. See Spy.]
1. To look upon; to view closely and critically, esp. in order to ascertain quality or condition, to detect errors, etc., to examine; to scrutinize; to investigate; as, to inspect conduct.
2. To view and examine officially, as troops, arms, goods offered, work done for the public, etc.; to oversee; to superintend. Sir W. Temple.
INSPECTIn*spect", n. Etym: [L. inspectus. See Inspect, v. t.]
Defn: Inspection. [Obs.] Thomson.
INSPECTIONIn*spec"tion, n. Etym: [L. inspectio: cf. F. inspection.]
1. The act or process of inspecting or looking at carefully; a strict or prying examination; close or careful scrutiny; investigation. Spenser. With narrow search, and with inspection deep, Considered every creature. Milton.
2. The act of overseeing; official examination or superintendence. Trial by inspection (O. Eng. Law), a mode of trial in which the case was settled by the individual observation and decision of the judge upon the testimony of his own senses, without the intervention of a jury. Abbott.
INSPECTIVEIn*spect"ive, a. Etym: [L. inspectivus.]
Defn: Engaged in inspection; inspecting; involving inspection.
INSPECTORIn*spect"or, n. Etym: [L.: cf. F. inspecteur.]
Defn: One who inspects, views, or oversees; one to whom the supervision of any work is committed; one who makes an official view or examination, as a military or civil officer; a superintendent; a supervisor; an overseer. Inspector general (Mil.), a staff officer of an army, whose duties are those of inspection, and embrace everything relative to organization, recruiting, discharge, administration, accountability for money and property, instruction, police, and discipline.
INSPECTORATEIn*spect"or*ate, n.
Defn: Inspectorship. [R.]
INSPECTORIALIn`spec*to"ri*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to an inspector or to inspection. [R.]
INSPECTORSHIPIn*spect"or*ship, n.
1. The office of an inspector.
2. The district embraced by an inspector's jurisdiction.
INSPECTRESSIn*spect"ress, n.
Defn: A female inspector.
INSPERSE In*sperse", v. t. Etym: [L. inspersus, p. p. of inspergere to sprinkle upon; pref. in- in, on + spargere to sprinkle.]
Defn: To sprinkle; to scatter. [Obs.] Bailey.
INSPERSIONIn*sper"sion, n. Etym: [L. inspersio.]
Defn: The act of sprinkling. [Obs.] Chapman.
INSPEXIMUSIn*spex"i*mus, n. Etym: [L., we have inspected.]
Defn: The first word of ancient charters in England, confirming a grant made by a former king; hence, a royal grant.
INSPHEREIn*sphere", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Insphered; p. pr. & vb. n.Insphering.] Etym: [Cf. Ensphere.]
Defn: To place in, or as in, an orb a sphere. Cf. Ensphere. Bright aërial spirits live insphered In regions mild of calm and serene air. Milton.
INSPIRABLEIn*spir"a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being inspired or drawn into the lungs; inhalable; respirable; admitting inspiration. Harvey.
INSPIRATIONIn`spi*ra"tion, n. Etym: [F. inspiration, L. inspiratio. SeeInspire.]
1. The act of inspiring or breathing in; breath; specif. (Physiol.), the drawing of air into the lungs, accomplished in mammals by elevation of the chest walls and flattening of the diaphragm; — the opposite of expiration.
2. The act or power of exercising an elevating or stimulating influence upon the intellect or emotions; the result of such influence which quickens or stimulates; as, the inspiration of occasion, of art, etc. Your father was ever virtuous, and holy men at their death have good inspirations. Shak.
3. (Theol.)
Defn: A supernatural divine influence on the prophets, apostles, or sacred writers, by which they were qualified to communicate moral or religious truth with authority; a supernatural influence which qualifies men to receive and communicate divine truth; also, the truth communicated. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God. 2 Tim. iii. 16. The age which we now live in is not an age of inspiration and impulses. Sharp. Plenary inspiration (Theol.), that kind of inspiration which excludes all defect in the utterance of the inspired message. — Verbal inspiration (Theol.), that kind of inspiration which extends to the very words and forms of expression of the divine message.
INSPIRATIONALIn`spi*ra"tion*al, a.
Defn: Pertaining to inspiration.
INSPIRATIONISTIn`spi*ra"tion*ist, n.
Defn: One who holds to inspiration.
INSPIRATORIn"spi*ra`tor, n. (Mach.)
Defn: A kind of injector for forcing water by steam. See Injector, n., 2.
INSPIRATORYIn*spir"a*to*ry, a.
Defn: Pertaining to, or aiding, inspiration; as, the inspiratory muscles.
INSPIREIn*spire", v. t. Etym: [OE. enspiren, OF. enspirer, inspirer, F.inspirer, fr. L. inspirare; pref. in- in + spirare to breathe. SeeSpirit.]
1. To breathe into; to fill with the breath; to animate. When Zephirus eek, with his sweete breath, Inspirèd hath in every holt and health The tender crops. Chaucer. Descend, ye Nine, descend and sing, The breathing instruments inspire. Pope.
2. To infuse by breathing, or as if by breathing. He knew not his Maker, and him that inspired into him an active soul. Wisdom xv. 11.
3. To draw in by the operation of breathing; to inhale; — opposed to expire. Forced to inspire and expire the air with difficulty. Harvey.
4. To infuse into the mind; to communicate to the spirit; to convey, as by a divine or supernatural influence; to disclose preternaturally; to produce in, as by inspiration. And generous stout courage did inspire. Spenser. But dawning day new comfort hath inspired. Shak.
5. To infuse into; to affect, as with a superior or supernatural influence; to fill with what animates, enlivens, or exalts; to communicate inspiration to; as, to inspire a child with sentiments of virtue. Erato, thy poet's mind inspire, And fill his soul with thy celestial fire. Dryden.
INSPIREIn*spire", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Inspired; p. pr. & vb. n. Inspiring.]
1. To draw in breath; to inhale air into the lungs; — opposed to expire.
2. To breathe; to blow gently. [Obs.] And when the wind amongst them did inspire, They wavèd like a penon wide dispread. Spenser.
INSPIREDIn*spired", a.
1. Breathed in; inhaled.
2. Moved or animated by, or as by, a supernatural influence; affected by divine inspiration; as, the inspired prophets; the inspired writers.
3. Communicated or given as by supernatural or divine inspiration; having divine authority; hence, sacred, holy; — opposed to uninspired, profane, or secular; as, the inspired writings, that is, the Scriptures.
INSPIRERIn*spir"er, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, inspirer. "Inspirer of that holy flame." Cowper.
INSPIRINGIn*spir"ing, a.
Defn: Animating; cheering; moving; exhilarating; as, an inspiring or scene.
INSPIRITIn*spir"it, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inspirited; p. pr. & vb. n.Inspiriting.]
Defn: To infuse new life or spirit into; to animate; to encourage; toinvigorate.The courage of Agamemnon is inspirited by the love of empire andambition. Pope.
Syn. — To enliven; invigorate; exhilarate; animate; cheer; encourage; inspire.
INSPISSATEIn*spis"sate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inspissated; p. pr. & vb. n.Inspissating.] Etym: [L. inspissatus, p. p. of inspissare to thicken;pref. in- + spissare to thicken, fr. spissus thick.]
Defn: To thicken or bring to greater consistence, as fluids by evaporation.
INSPISSATEIn*spis"sate, a. Etym: [L. inspissatus, p. p.]
Defn: Thick or thickened; inspissated. Greenhill.
INSPISSATIONIn`spis*sa"tion, n.
Defn: The act or the process of inspissating, or thickening a fluid substance, as by evaporation; also, the state of being so thickened.
INSTABILITYIn`sta*bil"i*ty, n.; pl. Instabilities. Etym: [L. instabilitas: cf.F. instabilité.]
1. The quality or condition of being unstable; want of stability, firmness, or steadiness; liability to give way or to fail; insecurity; precariousness; as, the instability of a building.
2. Lack of determination of fixedness; inconstancy; fickleness; mutability; changeableness; as, instability of character, temper, custom, etc. Addison.
Syn. — Inconstancy; fickleness; changeableness; wavering; unsteadiness; unstableness.
INSTABLE In*sta"ble, a. Etym: [L. instabilis: cf. F. instable. See In- not, and Stable, a., and cf. Unstable.]
Defn: Not stable; not standing fast or firm; unstable; prone to change or recede from a purpose; mutable; inconstant.
INSTABLENESSIn*sta"ble*ness, n.
Defn: Instability; unstableness.
INSTALLIn*stall", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Installed; p. pr. & vb. n.Installing.] Etym: [F. installer, LL. installare, fr. pref. in- in +OHG. stal a place, stall, G. stall, akin to E. stall: cf. It.installare. See Stall.] [Written also instal.]
1. To set in a seat; to give a place to; establish (one) in a place. She installed her guest hospitably by the fireside. Sir W. Scott.
2. To place in an office, rank, or order; to invest with any charge by the usual ceremonies; to instate; to induct; as, to install an ordained minister as pastor of a church; to install a college president. Unworthily Thou wast installed in that high degree. Shak.
INSTALLATION In`stal*la"tion, n. Etym: [F. installation, LL. installatio: cf. It. installazione. See Install.]
1. The act of installing or giving possession of an office, rank, or order, with the usual rites or ceremonies; as, the installation of an ordained minister in a parish. On the election, the bishop gives a mandate for his installation. Ayliffe.
2. (Mech.)
Defn: The whole of a system of machines, apparatus, and accessories, when set up and arranged for practical working, as in electric lighting, transmission of power, etc.
INSTALLMENTIn*stall"ment, n. Etym: [Written also instalment.]
1. The act of installing; installation. Take oaths from all kings and magistrates at their installment, to do impartial justice by law. Milton.
2. The seat in which one is placed. [Obs.] The several chairs of order, look, you scour; . . . Each fair installment, coat, and several crest With loyal blazon, evermore be blest. Shak.
3. A portion of a debt, or sum of money, which is divided into portions that are made payable at different times. Payment by installment is payment by parts at different times, the amounts and times being often definitely stipulated. Bouvier.
INSTAMPIn*stamp", v. t.
Defn: See Enstamp.
INSTANCEIn"stance, n. Etym: [F. instance, L. instantia, fr. instans. SeeInstant.]
1. The act or quality of being instant or pressing; urgency; solicitation; application; suggestion; motion. Undertook at her instance to restore them. Sir W. Scott.
2. That which is instant or urgent; motive. [Obs.] The instances that second marriage move Are base respects of thrift, but none of love. Shak.
3. Occasion; order of occurrence. These seem as if, in the time of Edward I., they were drawn up into the form of a law, in the first instance. Sir M. Hale.
4. That which offers itself or is offered as an illustrative case; something cited in proof or exemplification; a case occurring; an example. Most remarkable instances of suffering. Atterbury.
5. A token; a sign; a symptom or indication. Shak. Causes of instance, those which proceed at the solicitation of some party. Hallifax. — Court of first instance, the court by which a case is first tried. — For instance, by way of example or illustration. — Instance Court (Law), the Court of Admiralty acting within its ordinary jurisdiction, as distinguished from its action as a prize court.
Syn.— Example; case. See Example.
INSTANCEIn"stance, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Instanced; p. pr. & vb. n.Instancing.]
Defn: To mention as a case or example; to refer to; to cite; as, to instance a fact. H. Spenser. I shall not instance an abstruse author. Milton.
INSTANCEIn"stance, v. i.
Defn: To give an example. [Obs.]This story doth not only instance in kingdoms, but in families too.Jer. Taylor.
INSTANCYIn"stan*cy, n.
Defn: Instance; urgency. [Obs.] Those heavenly precepts which our Lord and Savior with so great instancy gave. Hooker.
INSTANTIn"stant, a. Etym: [L. instans, -antis, p. pr. of instare to standupon, to press upon; pref. in- in, on + stare to stand: cf. F. in.See Stand.]
1. Pressing; urgent; importunate; earnest.Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant inprayer. Rom. xii. 12.I am beginning to be very instant for some sort of occupation.Carlyle.
2. Closely pressing or impending in respect to time; not deferred; immediate; without delay. Impending death is thine, and instant doom. Prior.
3. Present; current. The instant time is always the fittest time. Fuller.
Note: The word in this sense is now used only in dates, to indicate the current month; as, the tenth of July instant.
INSTANTIn"stant, adv.
Defn: Instantly. [Poetic]Instant he flew with hospitable haste. Pope.
INSTANT In"stant, n. Etym: [F. instant, fr. L. instans standing by, being near, present. See Instant, a.]
1. A point in duration; a moment; a portion of time too short to be estimated; also, any particular moment. There is scarce an instant between their flourishing and their not being. Hooker.
2. A day of the present or current month; as, the sixth instant; — an elliptical expression equivalent to the sixth of the month instant, i. e., the current month. See Instant, a., 3.
Syn.— Moment; flash; second.
INSTANTANEITYIn*stan`ta*ne"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. instantanéité.]
Defn: Quality of being instantaneous. Shenstone.
INSTANTANEOUSIn`stan*ta"ne*ous, a. Etym: [Cf. F. instantané.]
1. Done or occurring in an instant, or without any perceptible duration of time; as, the passage of electricity appears to be instantaneous. His reason saw With instantaneous view, the truth of things. Thomson.
2. At or during a given instant; as, instantaneous acceleration, velocity, etc. Instantaneous center of rotation (Kinematics), in a plane or in a plane figure which has motions both of translation and of rotation in the plane, is the point which for the instant is at rest. — Instantaneous axis of rotation (Kinematics), in a body which has motions both of translation and rotation, is a line, which is supposed to be rigidly united with the body, and which for the instant is at rest. The motion of the body is for the instant simply that of rotation about the instantaneous axis. — In`stan*ta"ne*ous*ly, adv. — In`stan*ta"ne*ous*ness, n.
INSTANTER In*stan"ter, adv. Etym: [L., vehemently, earnestly. See Instant, n. & a.]
Defn: Immediately; instantly; at once; as, he left instanter.
INSTANTLYIn"stant*ly, adv.
1. Without the least delay or interval; at once; immediately. Macaulay.
2. With urgency or importunity; earnestly; pressingly. "They besought him instantly." Luke vii. 4.
Syn.— Directly; immediately; at once. See Directly.
INSTARIn*star", v. t.
Defn: To stud as with stars. [R.] "A golden throne instarred with gems." J. Barlow.
INSTATEIn*state", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Instated; p. pr. & vb. n. Instating.]
Defn: To set, place, or establish, as in a rank, office, or condition; to install; to invest; as, to instate a person in greatness or in favor. Shak.
INSTAURATEIn*stau"rate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Instaurated; p. pr. & vb. n.Instaurating.] Etym: [L. instauratus, p. p. of instaurare to renew.See 1st In-, and Store.]
Defn: To renew or renovate. [R.]
INSTAURATIONIn`stau*ra"tion, n. Etym: [L. instauratio: cf. F. instauration.]
Defn: Restoration after decay, lapse, or dilapidation; renewal; repair; renovation; renaissance. Some great catastrophe or . . . instauration. T. Burnet.
INSTAURATORIn"stau*ra`tor, n. Etym: [L.: cf. F. instaurateur.]
Defn: One who renews or restores to a former condition. [R.] Dr. H.More.
INSTAUREIn*staure", v. t. Etym: [See Instaurate.]
Defn: To renew or renovate; to instaurate. [Obs.] Marston.
INSTEADIn*stead", adv. Etym: [Pref. in- + stead place.]
1. In the place or room; — usually followed by of. Let thistles grow of wheat. Job xxxi. 40. Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab. 2 Sam. xvii. 25.
2. Equivalent; equal to; — usually with of. [R.] This very consideration to a wise man is instead of a thousand arguments, to satisfy him, that in those times no such thing was believed. Tillotson.
INSTEEPIn*steep", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Insteeped; p. pr. & vb. n.Insteeping.]
Defn: To steep or soak; to drench. [R.] "In gore he lay insteeped."Shak.
INSTEPIn"step, n. [Formerly also instop, instup.]
1. The arched middle portion of the human foot next in front of the ankle joint.
2. That part of the hind leg of the horse and allied animals, between the hock, or ham, and the pastern joint.
INSTIGATEIn"sti*gate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Instigated; p. pr. & vb. n.Instigating.] Etym: [L. instigatus, p. p. of instigare to instigate;pref. in- in + a root akin to G. stechen to prick, E. stick. SeeStick.]
Defn: To goad or urge forward; to set on; to provoke; to incite; — used chiefly with reference to evil actions; as to instigate one to a crime. He hath only instigated his blackest agents to the very extent of their malignity. Bp. Warburton.
Syn. — To stimulate; urge; spur; provoke; tempt; incite; impel; encourage; animate.
INSTIGATINGLYIn"sti*ga`ting*ly, adv.
Defn: Incitingly; temptingly.
INSTIGATIONIn`sti*ga"tion, n. Etym: [L. instigatio: cf. F. instigation.]
Defn: The act of instigating, or the state of being instigated; incitement; esp. to evil or wickedness. The baseness and villainy that . . . the instigation of the devil could bring the sons of men to. South.
INSTIGATORIn"sti*ga`tor, n. Etym: [L.: cf. F. instigateur.]
Defn: One who instigates or incites. Burke.
INSTILLIn*still", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Instilled; p. pr. & vb. n.Instilling.] Etym: [L. instillare, instillatum; pref. in- in +stillare to drop, fr. stilla a drop: cf. F. instiller. See Distill.][Written also instil.]
Defn: To drop in; to pour in drop by drop; hence, to impartgradually; to infuse slowly; to cause to be imbibed.That starlight dews All silently their tears of love instill. Byron.How hast thou instilled Thy malice into thousands. Milton.
Syn.— To infuse; impart; inspire; implant; inculcate; insinuate.
INSTILLATIONIn`stil*la"tion, n. Etym: [L. instillatio: cf. F. instillation.]
Defn: The of instilling; also, that which is instilled. Johnson.
INSTILLATORIn"stil*la`tor, n.
Defn: An instiller. [R.]
INSTILLATORYIn*stil"la*to*ry, a.
Defn: Belonging to instillation. [R.]
INSTILLERIn*still"er, n.
Defn: One who instills. Skelton.
INSTILLMENTIn*still"ment, n.
Defn: The act of instilling; also, that which is instilled. [Written also instilment.]
INSTIMULATEIn*stim"u*late, v. t. Etym: [Pref. in- not + stimulate.]
Defn: Not to stimulate; to soothe; to quiet. [Obs.] Cheyne.
INSTIMULATE In*stim"u*late, v. t. Etym: [L. instimulatus, p. p. instimulare to stimulate. See 1st In-, and Stimulate.]
Defn: To stimulate; to excite. [Obs.] Cockerman.
INSTIMULATIONIn*stim`u*la"tion, n.
Defn: Stimulation.
INSTINCTIn*stinct", a. Etym: [L. instinctus, p. p. of instinguere toinstigate, incite; cf. instigare to instigate. Cf. Instigate,Distinguish.]
Defn: Urged or sas, birds instinct with life.The chariot of paternal deity . . . Itself instinct with spirit, butconvoyed By four cherubic shapes. Milton.A noble performance, instinct with sound principle. Brougham.
INSTINCT In"stinct, n. Etym: [L. instinctus instigation, impulse, fr. instinguere to instigate: cf. F. instinct. See Instinct, a.]
1. Natural inward impulse; unconscious, involuntary, or unreasoning prompting to any mode of action, whether bodily, or mental, without a distinct apprehension of the end or object to be accomplished. An instinct is a propensity prior to experience, and independent of instructions. Paley. An instinct is a blind tendency to some mode of action, independent of any consideration, on the part of the agent, of the end to which the action leads. Whately. An instinct is an agent which performs blindly and ignorantly a work of intelligence and knowledge. Sir W. Hamilton. By a divine instinct, men's minds mistrust Ensuing dangers. Shak.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Specif., the natural, unreasoning, impulse by which an animal is guided to the performance of any action, without of improvement in the method. The resemblance between what originally was a habit, and an instinct becomes so close as not to be distinguished. Darwin.
3. A natural aptitude or knack; a predilection; as, an instinct for order; to be modest by instinct.
INSTINCTIn*stinct", v. t.
Defn: To impress, as an animating power, or instinct. [Obs.] Bentley.
INSTINCTIONIn*stinc"tion, n.
Defn: Instinct; incitement; inspiration. [Obs.] Sir T. Elyot.
INSTINCTIVEIn*stinc"tive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. instinctif.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to instinct; derived from, or prompted by, instinct; of the nature of instinct; determined by natural impulse or propensity; acting or produced without reasoning, deliberation, instruction, or experience; spontaneous. "Instinctive motion." Milton. "Instinctive dread." Cowper. With taste instinctive give Each grace appropriate. Mason. Have we had instinctive intimations of the death of some absent friends Bp. Hall.
Note: The terms instinctive belief, instinctive judgment, instinctive cognition, are expressions not ill adapted to characterize a belief, judgment, or cognition, which, as the result of no anterior consciousness, is, like the products of animal instinct, the intelligent effect of (as far as we are concerned) an unknown cause. Sir H. Hamilton.
Syn. — Natural; voluntary; spontaneous; original; innate; inherent; automatic.
INSTINCTIVELYIn*stinc"tive*ly, adv.
Defn: In an instinctive manner; by force of instinct; by natural impulse.
INSTINCTIVITYIn`stinc*tiv"i*ty, n.
Defn: The quality of being instinctive, or prompted by instinct. [R.]Coleridge.
INSTIPULATEIn*stip"u*late, a.
Defn: See Exstipulate.
INSTITUTE In"sti*tute, p. a. Etym: [L. institutus, p. p. of instituere to place in, to institute, to instruct; pref. in- in + statuere to cause to stand, to set. See Statute.]
Defn: Established; organized; founded. [Obs.] They have but few laws. For to a people so instruct and institute, very few to suffice. Robynson (More's Utopia).
INSTITUTEIn"sti*tute, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Instituted; p. pr. & vb. n.Instituting.]
1. To set up; to establish; to ordain; as, to institute laws, rules, etc.
2. To originate and establish; to found; to organize; as, to institute a court, or a society. Whenever any from of government becomes destructive of these ends it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new government. Jefferson (Decl. of Indep. ).
3. To nominate; to appoint. [Obs.] We institute your Grace To be our regent in these parts of France. Shak.
4. To begin; to commence; to set on foot; as, to institute an inquiry; to institute a suit. And haply institute A course of learning and ingenious studies. Shak.
5. To ground or establish in principles and rudiments; to educate; to instruct. [Obs.] If children were early instituted, knowledge would insensibly insinuate itself. Dr. H. More.
6. (Eccl. Law)
Defn: To invest with the spiritual charge of a benefice, or the care of souls. Blackstone.
Syn. — To originate; begin; commence; establish; found; erect; organize; appoint; ordain.
INSTITUTE In"sti*tute, n. Etym: [L. institutum: cf. F. institut. See Institute, v. t. & a.]
1. The act of instituting; institution. [Obs.] "Water sanctified by Christ's institute." Milton.
2. That which is instituted, established, or fixed, as a law, habit, or custom. Glover.
3. Hence: An elementary and necessary principle; a precept, maxim, or rule, recognized as established and authoritative; usually in the plural, a collection of such principles and precepts; esp., a comprehensive summary of legal principles and decisions; as, the Institutes of Justinian; Coke's Institutes of the Laws of England. Cf. Digest, n. They made a sort of institute and digest of anarchy. Burke. To make the Stoics' institutes thy own. Dryden.
4. An institution; a society established for the promotion of learning, art, science, etc.; a college; as, the Institute of Technology; also, a building owned or occupied by such an institute; as, the Cooper Institute.
5. (Scots Law)
Defn: The person to whom an estate is first given by destination or limitation. Tomlins. Institutes of medicine, theoretical medicine; that department of medical science which attempts to account philosophically for the various phenomena of health as well as of disease; physiology applied to the practice of medicine. Dunglison.
INSTITUTERIn"sti*tu`ter, n.
Defn: An institutor. [R.]
INSTITUTIONIn`sti*tu"tion, n. Etym: [L. institutio: cf. F. institution.]
1. The act or process of instituting; as: (a) Establishment; foundation; enactment; as, the institution of a school. The institution of God's law is described as being established by solemn injunction. Hooker.
(b) Instruction; education. [Obs.] Bentley. (c) (Eccl. Law) The act or ceremony of investing a clergyman with the spiritual part of a benefice, by which the care of souls is committed to his charge. Blackstone.
2. That which instituted or established; as: (a) Established order, method, or custom; enactment; ordinance; permanent form of law or polity. The nature of our people, Our city's institutions. Shak.
(b) An established or organized society or corporation; an establishment, especially of a public character, or affecting a community; a foundation; as, a literary institution; a charitable institution; also, a building or the buildings occupied or used by such organization; as, the Smithsonian Institution. (c) Anything forming a characteristic and persistent feature in social or national life or habits. We ordered a lunch (the most delightful of English institutions, next to dinner) to be ready against our return. Hawthorne.
3. That which institutes or instructs; a textbook; a system of elements or rules; an institute. [Obs.] There is another manuscript, of above three hundred years old, . . . being an institution of physic. Evelyn.
INSTITUTIONALIn`sti*tu"tion*al, a.
1. Pertaining to, or treating of, institutions; as, institutional legends. Institutional writers as Rousseau. J. S. Mill.
2. Instituted by authority.
3. Elementary; rudimental.
INSTITUTIONARYIn`sti*tu"tion*a*ry, a.
1. Relating to an institution, or institutions.
2. Containing the first principles or doctrines; elemental; rudimentary.
INSTITUTISTIn"sti*tu`tist, n.
Defn: A writer or compiler of, or a commentator on, institutes. [R.]Harvey.
INSTITUTIVEIn"sti*tu`tive, a.
1. Tending or intended to institute; having the power to establish. Barrow.
2. Established; depending on, or characterized by, institution or order. "Institutive decency." Milton.
INSTITUTIVELYIn"sti*tu`tive*ly adv.
Defn: In conformity with an institution. Harrington.
INSTITUTORIn"sti*tu`tor, n. Etym: [L.: cf. F. instituteur.]
1. One who institutes, founds, ordains, or establishes.
2. One who educates; an instructor. [Obs.] Walker.
3. (Episcopal Church)
Defn: A presbyter appointed by the bishop to institute a rector or assistant minister over a parish church.
INSTOPIn*stop", v. t.
Defn: To stop; to close; to make fast; as, to instop the seams.[Obs.] Dryden.
INSTOREIn*store", v. t. Etym: [See Instaurate, Store.]
Defn: To store up; to inclose; to contain. [Obs.] Wyclif.
INSTRATIFIEDIn*strat"i*fied, a.
Defn: Interstratified.
INSTROKEIn"stroke`, n.
Defn: An inward stroke; specif., in a steam or other engine, a stroke in which the piston is moving away from the crank shaft; — opposed to outstroke.
INSTRUCT In*struct", a. Etym: [L. instructus, p. p. of instruere to furnish, provide, construct, instruct; pref. in- in, struere. See Structure.]
1. Arranged; furnished; provided. [Obs.] "He had neither ship instruct with oars, nor men." Chapman.
2. Instructed; taught; enlightened. [Obs.] Milton.
INSTRUCTIn*struct", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Instructed; p. pr. & vb. n.Instructing.]
1. To put in order; to form; to prepare. [Obs.] They speak to the merits of a cause, after the proctor has prepared and instructed the same for a hearing. Ayliffe.
2. To form by communication of knowledge; to inform the mind of; to impart knowledge or information to; to enlighten; to teach; to discipline. Schoolmasters will I keep within my house, Fit to instruct her youth. Shak.
3. To furnish with directions; to advise; to direct; to command; as, the judge instructs the jury. She, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger. Matt. xiv. 8. Take her in; instruct her what she has to do. Shak.
Syn. — To teach; educate; inform; train; discipline; indoctrinate; direct; enjoin.
INSTRUCTERIn*struct"er, n.
Defn: See Instructor.
INSTRUCTIBLEIn*struct"i*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being instructed; teachable; docible. Bacon.
INSTRUCTIONIn*struc"tion, n. Etym: [L. instructio: cf. F. instruction.]
1. The act of instructing, teaching, or furnishing with knowledge; information.
2. That which instructs, or with which one is instructed; the intelligence or information imparted; as: (a) Precept; information; teachings. (b) Direction; order; command. "If my instructions may be your guide." Shak.
Syn. — Education; teaching; indoctrination; information; advice; counsel. See Education.
INSTRUCTIONALIn*struc"tion*al, a.
Defn: Pertaining to, or promoting, instruction; educational.
INSTRUCTIVEIn*struct"ive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. instructif.]
Defn: Conveying knowledge; serving to instruct or inform; as,experience furnishes very instructive lessons. Addison.In various talk the instructive hours they past. Pope.— In*struct"ive*ly, adv.— In*struct"ive*ness, n.The pregnant instructiveness of the Scripture. Boyle.
INSTRUCTOR In*struct"or, n. Etym: [L., a preparer: cf. F. instructeur.] [Written also instructer.]
Defn: One who instructs; one who imparts knowledge to another; a teacher.
INSTRUCTRESSIn*struct"ress, n.
Defn: A woman who instructs; a preceptress; a governess. Johnson.
INSTRUMENTIn"stru*ment, n. Etym: [F. instrument, L. instrumentum. SeeInstruct.]
1. That by means of which any work is performed, or result is effected; a tool; a utensil; an implement; as, the instruments of a mechanic; astronomical instruments. All the lofty instruments of war. Shak.
2. A contrivance or implement, by which musical sounds are produced;as, a musical instrument.Praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Ps. cl. 4.But signs when songs and instruments he hears. Dryden.
3. (Law)
Defn: A writing, as the means of giving formal expression to some act; a writing expressive of some act, contract, process, as a deed, contract, writ, etc. Burrill.
4. One who, or that which, is made a means, or is caused to serve a purpose; a medium, means, or agent. Or useful serving man and instrument, To any sovereign state. Shak. The bold are but the instruments of the wise. Dryden.
Syn.— Tool; implement; utensil; machine; apparatus; channel; agent.
INSTRUMENTIn"stru*ment, v. t.
Defn: To perform upon an instrument; to prepare for an instrument; as, a sonata instrumented for orchestra.
INSTRUMENTALIn`stru*men"tal, a. Etym: [Cf. F. instrumental.]
1. Acting as an instrument; serving as a means; contributing to promote; conductive; helpful; serviceable; as, he was instrumental in conducting the business. The head is not more native to the heart, The hand more instrumental to the mouth. Shak.
2. (Mus.)
Defn: Pertaining to, made by, or prepared for, an instrument, esp. a musical instrument; as, instrumental music, distinguished from vocal music. "He defended the use of instrumental music in public worship." Macaulay. Sweet voices mix'd with instrumental sounds. Dryden.
3. (Gram.)
Defn: Applied to a case expressing means or agency; as, the instrumental case. This is found in Sanskrit as a separate case, but in Greek it was merged into the dative, and in Latin into the ablative. In Old English it was a separate case, but has disappeared, leaving only a few anomalous forms. Instrumental errors, those errors in instrumental measurements, etc., which arise, exclusively from want of mathematical accuracy in an instrument.
INSTRUMENTALISMIn`stru*men"tal*ism, n. (Philos.)
Defn: The view that the sanction of truth is its utility, or that truth is genuine only in so far as it is a valuable instrument. — In`stru*men"tal*ist, n.
Instrumentalism views truth as simply the value belonging to certain ideas in so far as these ideas are biological functions of our organisms, and psychological functions whereby we direct our choices and attain our successes. Josiah Royce.
INSTRUMENTALISTIn`stru*men"tal*ist, n.
Defn: One who plays upon an instrument of music, as distinguished from a vocalist.
INSTRUMENTALITYIn`stru*men*tal"i*ty, n.; pl. Instrumentalities (.
Defn: The quality or condition of being instrumental; that which is instrumental; anything used as a means; medium; agency. The instrumentality of faith in justification. Bp. Burnet. The discovery of gunpowder developed the science of attack and defense in a new instrumentality. J. H. Newman.
INSTRUMENTALLYIn`stru*men"tal*ly, adv.
1. By means of an instrument or agency; as means to an end. South. They will argue that the end being essentially beneficial, the means become instrumentally so. Burke.
2. With instruments of music; as, a song instrumentally accompanied. Mason.
INSTRUMENTALNESSIn`stru*men"tal*ness, n.
Defn: Usefulness or agency, as means to an end; instrumentality. [R.]Hammond.
INSTRUMENTARYIn`stru*men"ta*ry, a.
Defn: Instrumental. [R.]
INSTRUMENTATIONIn`stru*men*ta"tion, n.
1. The act of using or adapting as an instrument; a series or combination of instruments; means; agency. Otherwise we have no sufficient instrumentation for our human use or handling of so great a fact. H. Bushnell.
2. (Mus.) (a) The arrangement of a musical composition for performance by a number of different instruments; orchestration; instrumental composition; composition for an orchestra or military band. (b) The act or manner of playing upon musical instruments; performance; as, his instrumentation is perfect.
INSTRUMENTISTIn"stru*men`tist, n.
Defn: A performer on a musical instrument; an instrumentalist.
INSTYLEIn*style", v. t.
Defn: To style. [Obs.] Crashaw.
INSUAVITY In*suav"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. insuavitas: cf. F. insuavité. See In- not, and Suavity.]
Defn: Want of suavity; unpleasantness. [Obs.] Burton.
INSUBJECTIONIn`sub*jec"tion, n.
Defn: Want of subjection or obedience; a state of disobedience, as to government.
INSUBMERGIBLEIn`sub*mer"gi*ble, a.
Defn: Not capable of being submerged; buoyant. [R.]
INSUBMISSIONIn`sub*mis"sion, n.
Defn: Want of submission; disobedience; noncompliance.
INSUBORDINATEIn`sub*or"di*nate, a.
Defn: Not submitting to authority; disobedient; rebellious; mutinous
INSUBORDINATIONIn`sub*or`di*na"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. insubordination.]
Defn: The quality of being insubordinate; disobedience to lawful authority.
INSUBSTANTIALIn`sub*stan"tial, a.
Defn: Unsubstantial; not real or strong. "Insubstantial pageant."[R.] Shak.
INSUBSTANTIALITYIn`sub*stan`ti*al"i*ty, n.
Defn: Unsubstantiality; unreality. [R.]
INSUCCATION In`suc*ca"tion, n. Etym: [L. insucare, insucatum, to soak in; pref. in- + succus, sucus, sap.]
Defn: The act of soaking or moistening; maceration; solution in the juice of herbs. [Obs.] Coxe. The medicating and insuccation of seeds. Evelyn.
INSUCCESSIn`suc*cess", n.
Defn: Want of success. [R.] Feltham.
INSUEIn*sue", v. i.
Defn: See Ensue, v. i.
INSUETUDE In"sue*tude, n. Etym: [L. insuetudo, from insuetus unaccustomed; pref. in- not + suetus, p. p. of suescere to be accustomed.]
Defn: The state or quality of being unaccustomed; absence of use orhabit.Absurdities are great or small in proportion to custom or insuetude.Landor.
INSUFFERABLEIn*suf"fer*a*ble, a.
1. Incapable of being suffered, borne, or endured; insupportable; unendurable; intolerable; as, insufferable heat, cold, or pain; insufferable wrongs. Locke.
2. Offensive beyond endurance; detestable. A multitude of scribblers who daily pester the world with their insufferable stuff. Dryden.
INSUFFERABLYIn*suf"fer*a*bly, adv.
Defn: In a manner or to a degree beyond endurance; intolerably; as, a blaze insufferably bright; a person insufferably proud.
INSUFFICIENCEIn`suf*fi"cience, n.
Defn: Insufficiency. Shak.
INSUFFICIENCY In`suf*fi"cien*cy, n. Etym: [L. insufficientia: cf. F. insuffisance, whence OE. insuffisance. See Insufficient.]
1. The quality or state of being insufficient; want of sufficiency; deficiency; inadequateness; as, the insufficiency of provisions, of an excuse, etc. The insufficiency of the light of nature is, by the light of Scripture, . . . fully supplied. Hooker.
2. Want of power or skill; inability; incapacity; incompetency; as, the insufficiency of a man for an office.
INSUFFICIENTIn`suf*fi"cient, a. Etym: [L. insufficiens, -entis. See In- not, andSufficient.]
1. Not sufficient; not enough; inadequate to any need, use, or purpose; as, the provisions are insufficient in quantity, and defective in quality. "Insufficient for His praise." Cowper.
2. Wanting in strength, power, ability, capacity, or skill; incompetent; incapable; unfit; as, a person insufficient to discharge the duties of an office.
Syn. — Inadequate; scanty; incommensurate; unequal; unfit; incompetent; incapable; inefficient.
INSUFFICIENTLYIn`suf*fi"cient*ly, adv.
Defn: In an insufficient manner or degree; unadequately.
INSUFFLATEIn*suf"flate, a. [See Insufflation.]
Defn: To blow upon; to breath upon or into; to use insufflation upon.
INSUFFLATION In`suf*fla"tion, n. Etym: [L. insuffatio: cf. F. insuffation. See In- in, and Sufflation.]
Defn: The act of breathing on or into anything; especially: (a) (R. C. Ch.) The breathing upon a person in the sacrament of baptism to symbolize the inspiration of a new spiritual life. (b) (Med.) The act of blowing (a gas, powder, or vapor) into any cavity of the body.
INSUITABLEIn*suit"a*ble, a.
Defn: Unsuitable. [Obs.] — In*suit`a*bil"i*ty, n. [Obs.]
INSULAR In"su*lar, a. Etym: [L. insularis, fr. insula island: cf. F. insulaire. See Isle.]
1. Of or pertaining to an island; of the nature, or possessing the characteristics, of an island; as, an insular climate, fauna, etc.
2. Of or pertaining to the people of an island; narrow; circumscribed; illiberal; contracted; as, insular habits, opinions, or prejudices. The penury of insular conversation. Johnson.
INSULARIn"su*lar, n.
Defn: An islander. [R.] Berkeley.
INSULARITYIn`su*lar"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. insularité.]
1. The state or quality of being an island or consisting of islands; insulation. The insularity of Britain was first shown by Agricola, who sent his fleet round it. Pinkerton.
2. Narrowness or illiberality of opinion; prejudice; exclusiveness; as, the insularity of the Chinese or of the aristocracy.
INSULARLYIn"su*lar*ly, adv.
Defn: In an insular manner.
INSULARYIn"su*la*ry, a.
Defn: Insular. [Obs.] Howell.
INSULATEIn"su*late, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Insulated; p. pr. & vb. n.Insulating.] Etym: [L. insulatus insulated, fr. insula island. SeeIsle, and cf. Isolate.]
1. To make an island of. [Obs.] Pennant.
2. To place in a detached situation, or in a state having no communication with surrounding objects; to isolate; to separate.
3. (Elec. & Thermotics)
Defn: To prevent the transfer o Insulating stool (Elec.), a stool with legs of glass or some other nonconductor of electricity, used for insulating a person or any object placed upon it.
INSULATEDIn"su*la`ted, p. a.
1. Standing by itself; not being contiguous to other bodies; separated; unconnected; isolated; as, an insulated house or column. The special and insulated situation of the Jews. De Quincey.
2. (Elect. & Thermotics)
Defn: Separated from other bodies by means of nonconductors of heat or electricity.
3. (Astron.)
Defn: Situated at so great a distance as to be beyond the effect of gravitation; — said of stars supposed to be so far apart that the affect of their mutual attraction is insensible. C. A. Young. Insulated wire, wire wound with silk, or covered with other nonconducting material, for electrical use.
INSULATIONIn`su*la"tion, n.
1. The act of insulating, or the state of being insulated; detachment from other objects; isolation.
2. (Elec. & Thermotics)
Defn: The act of separating a body from others by nonconductors, so as to prevent the transfer of electricity or of heat; also, the state of a body so separated.
INSULATORIn"su*la`tor, n.
1. One who, or that which, insulates.
2. (Elec. & Thermotics)
Defn: The substance or body that insulates; a nonconductor.
INSULITEIn"su*lite, n. (Elec.)
Defn: An insulating material, usually some variety of compressed cellulose, made of sawdust, paper pulp, cotton waste, etc.
INSULOUSIn"su*lous, a. Etym: [L. insulosus, fr. insula island.]
Defn: Abounding in islands. [R.]
INSULSE In*sulse", a. Etym: [L. insulsus; pref. in- not + salsus salted, fr. salire, salsum, to salt.]
Defn: Insipid; dull; stupid. [Obs.] Milton.
INSULSITYIn*sul"si*ty, n. Etym: [L. insulsitas.]
Defn: Insipidity; stupidity; dullness. [Obs.]The insulsity of mortal tongues. Milton.
INSULT In"sult, n. Etym: [L. insultus, fr. insilire to leap upon: cf. F. insulte. See Insult, v. t.]
1. The act of leaping on; onset; attack. [Obs.] Dryden.
2. Gross abuse offered to another, either by word or act; an act or speech of insolence or contempt; an affront; an indignity. The ruthless sneer that insult adds to grief. Savage.
Syn.— Affront; indignity; abuse; outrage; contumely. See Affront.
INSULTIn*sult", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Insulted; p. pr. & vb. n. Insulting.]Etym: [F. insulter, L. insultare, freq. fr. insilire to leap into orupon; pref. in- in, on + salire to leap. See Salient.]
1. To leap or trample upon; to make a sudden onset upon. [Obs.] Shak.
2. To treat with abuse, insolence, indignity, or contempt, by word or action; to abuse; as, to call a man a coward or a liar, or to sneer at him, is to insult him.
INSULTIn*sult", v. i.