Chapter CCXXIII: Foreword: Fore"word`, n (44)

Defn: Existing only in imagination or fancy; not real; fancied; visionary; ideal. Wilt thou add to all the griefs I suffer Imaginary ills and fancied tortures Addison. Imaginary calculus See under Calculus. -- Imaginary expression or quantity (Alg.), an algebraic expression which involves the impossible operation of taking the square root of a negative quantity; as, sq. root-9, a + b sq. root-1. -- Imaginary points, lines, surfaces, etc. (Geom.), points, lines, surfaces, etc., imagined to exist, although by reason of certain changes of a figure they have in fact ceased to have a real existence.

Syn. -- Ideal; fanciful; chimerical; visionary; fancied; unreal; illusive.

IMAGINARY Im*ag"i*na*ry, n. (Alg.)

Defn: An imaginary expression or quantity.

IMAGINATE Im*ag"i*nate, a.

Defn: Imaginative. [Obs.] Holland.

IMAGINATION Im*ag`i*na"tion, n. Etym: [OE. imaginacionum, F. imagination, fr. L. imaginatio. See Imagine.]

1. The imagine-making power of the mind; the power to create or reproduce ideally an object of sense previously perceived; the power to call up mental imagines. Our simple apprehension of corporeal objects, if present, is sense; if absent, is imagination. Glanvill. Imagination is of three kinds: joined with belief of that which is to come; joined with memory of that which is past; and of things present, or as if they were present. Bacon.

2. The representative power; the power to reconstruct or recombine the materials furnished by direct apprehension; the complex faculty usually termed the plastic or creative power; the fancy. The imagination of common language -- the productive imagination of philosophers -- is nothing but the representative process plus the process to which I would give the name of the "comparative." Sir W. Hamilton. The power of the mind to decompose its conceptions, and to recombine the elements of them at its pleasure, is called its faculty of imagination. I. Taylor. The business of conception is to present us with an exact transcript of what we have felt or perceived. But we have moreover a power of modifying our conceptions, by combining the parts of different ones together, so as to form new wholes of our creation. I shall employ the word imagination to express this power. Stewart.

3. The power to recombine the materials furnished by experience or memory, for the accomplishment of an elevated purpose; the power of conceiving and expressing the ideal. The lunatic, the lover, and the poet Are of imagination all compact . . . The poet's eye, in a fine frenzy rolling, Doth glance from heaven to earth, from earth to heaven, And as imagination bodies forth The forms of things unknown, the poet's pen Turns them to shapes, and gives to airy nothing A local habitation and a name. Shak.

4. A mental image formed by the action of the imagination as a faculty; a conception; a notion. Shak.

Syn. -- Conception; idea; conceit; fancy; device; origination; invention; scheme; design; purpose; contrivance. -- Imagination, Fancy. These words have, to a great extent, been interchanged by our best writers, and considered as strictly synonymous. A distinction, however, is now made between them which more fully exhibits their nature. Properly speaking, they are different exercises of the same general power -- the plastic or creative faculty. Imagination consists in taking parts of our conceptions and combining them into new forms and images more select, more striking, more delightful, more terrible, etc., than those of ordinary nature. It is the higher exercise of the two. It creates by laws more closely connected with the reason; it has strong emotion as its actuating and formative cause; it aims at results of a definite and weighty character. Milton's fiery lake, the debates of his Pandemonium, the exquisite scenes of his Paradise, are all products of the imagination. Fancy moves on a lighter wing; it is governed by laws of association which are more remote, and sometimes arbitrary or capricious. Hence the term fanciful, which exhibits fancy in its wilder flights. It has for its actuating spirit feelings of a lively, gay, and versatile character; it seeks to please by unexpected combinations of thought, startling contrasts, flashes of brilliant imagery, etc. Pope's Rape of the Lock is an exhibition of fancy which has scarcely its equal in the literature of any country. -- "This, for instance, Wordworth did in respect of the words `imagination' and `fancy.' Before he wrote, it was, I suppose, obscurely felt by most that in `imagination' there was more of the earnest, in `fancy' of the play of the spirit; that the first was a loftier faculty and gift than the second; yet for all this words were continually, and not without loss, confounded. He first, in the preface to his Lyrical Ballads, rendered it henceforth impossible that any one, who had read and mastered what he has written on the two words, should remain unconscious any longer of the important difference between them." Trench. The same power, which we should call fancy if employed on a production of a light nature, would be dignified with the title of imagination if shown on a grander scale. C. J. Smith.

IMAGINATIONAL Im*ag`i*na"tion*al, a.

Defn: Pertaining to, involving, or caused by, imagination.

IMAGINATIONALISM Im*ag`i*na"tion*al*ism, n.

Defn: Idealism. J. Grote.

IMAGINATIVE Im*ag"i*na*tive, a. Etym: [F. imaginatif.]

1. Proceeding from, and characterized by, the imagination, generally in the highest sense of the word. In all the higher departments of imaginative art, nature still constitues an important element. Mure.

2. Given to imagining; full of images, fancies, etc.; having a quick imagination; conceptive; creative. Milton had a highly imaginative, Cowley a very fanciful mind. Coleridge.

3. Unreasonably suspicious; jealous. [Obs.] Chaucer. -- Im*ag"i*na*tive*ly, adv. -- Im*ag"i*na*tive*ness, n.

IMAGINE Im*ag"ine, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imagined; p. pr. & vb. n. Imagining.] Etym: [F. imaginer, L. imaginari, p.p. imaginatus, fr. imago image. See Image.]

1. To form in the mind a notion or idea of; to form a mental image of; to conceive; to produce by the imagination. In the night, imagining some fear, How easy is a bush supposed a bear! Shak.

2. To contrive in purpose; to scheme; to devise; to compass; to purpose. See Compass, v. t., 5. How long will ye imagine mischief against a man Ps. lxii. 3.

3. To represent to one's self; to think; to believe. Shak.

Syn. -- To fancy; conceive; apprehend; think; believe; suppose; opine; deem; plan; scheme; devise.

IMAGINE Im*ag"ine, v. i.

1. To form images or conceptions; to conceive; to devise.

2. To think; to suppose. My sister is not so defenseless left As you imagine. Milton.

IMAGINER Im*ag"in*er, n.

Defn: One who forms ideas or conceptions; one who contrives. Bacon.

IMAGINOUS Im*ag"in*ous, a.

Defn: Imaginative. [R.] Chapman.

IMAGO I*ma"go, n.; pl. Imagoes. Etym: [L. See Image.]

1. An image.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The final adult, and usually winged, state of an insect. See Illust. of Ant-lion, and Army worm.

IMAM; IMAN; IMAUM I*mam", I*man", I*maum", n. Etym: [Ar. imam.]

1. Among the Mohammedans, a minister or priest who performs the regular service of the mosque.

2. A Mohammedan prince who, as a successor of Mohammed, unites in his person supreme spiritual and temporal power.

IMARET I*ma"ret, n. Etym: [Turk., fr. Ar. 'imara.]

Defn: A lodging house for Mohammedan pilgrims. Moore.

IMBALM Im*balm", v. t.

Defn: See Embalm.

IMBAN Im*ban", v. t.

Defn: To put under a ban. [R.] Barlow.

IMBAND Im*band", v. t.

Defn: To form into a band or bands. "Imbanded nations." J. Barlow.

IMBANK Im*bank", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imbanked; p. pr. & vb. n. Imbanking.] Etym: [Pref. im- in + bank. Cf. Embank.]

Defn: To inclose or defend with a bank or banks. See Embank.

IMBANKMENT Im*bank"ment, n.

Defn: The act of surrounding with a bank; a bank or mound raised for defense, a roadway, etc.; an embankment. See Embankment.

IMBANNERED Im*ban"nered, a.

Defn: Having banners.

IMBAR Im*bar", v. t.

Defn: To bar in; to secure. [Obs.] To imbar their crooked titles. Shak.

IMBARGO Im*bar"go, n.

Defn: See Embargo.

IMBARK Im*bark", v. i. & t.

Defn: See Embark.

IMBARN Im*barn", v. t.

Defn: To store in a barn. [Obs.]

IMBASE Im*base", v. t.

Defn: See Embase.

IMBASE Im*base", v. i.

Defn: To diminish in value. [Obs.] Hales.

IMBASTARDIZE Im*bas"tard*ize, v. t.

Defn: To bastardize; to debase. [Obs.] Milton.

IMBATHE Im*bathe", v. t. Etym: [Pref. im- in + bathe. Cf. Embathe.]

Defn: To bathe; to wash freely; to immerce. And gave her to his daughters to imbathe In nectared lavers strewed with asphodel. Milton.

IMBAY Im*bay", v. t.

Defn: See Embay.

IMBECILE Im"be*cile, a. Etym: [L. imbecillis, and imbecillus; of unknown origin: cf. F. imbécile.]

Defn: Destitute of strength, whether of body or mind; feeble; impotent; esp., mentally wea; feeble-minded; as, hospitals for the imbecile and insane.

Syn. -- Weak; feeble; feeble-minded; idiotic.

IMBECILE Im"be*cile, n.

Defn: One destitute of strength; esp., one of feeble mind.

IMBECILE Im"be*cile, v. t.

Defn: To weaken; to make imbecile; as, to imbecile men's courage. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.

IMBECILITATE Im`be*cil"i*tate, v. t.

Defn: To weaken, as to the body or the mind; to enfeeble. [R.] A. Wilson.

IMBECILITY Im`be*cil"i*ty, n.; pl. Imbecilities. Etym: [L. imbecillitas: cf. F. imbécillité.]

Defn: The quality of being imbecile; weakness; feebleness, esp. of mind. Cruelty . . . argues not only a depravedness of nature, but also a meanness of courage and imbecility of mind. Sir W. Temple.

Note: This term is used specifically to denote natural weakness of the mental faculties, affecting one's power to act reasonably or intelligently.

Syn. -- Debility; infirmity; weakness; feebleness; impotence. See Debility.

IMBED Im*bed", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imbedded; p. pr. & vb. n. Imbedding.] Etym: [Pref. im- in + bed. Cf. Embed.]

Defn: To sink or lay, as in a bed; to deposit in a partly inclosing mass, as of clay or mortar; to cover, as with earth, sand, etc.

IMBELLIC Im*bel"lic, a. Etym: [L. imbellis; pref. im- = in- not + bellum war; cf. bellicus warlike.]

Defn: Not warlike or martial. [Obs.] R. Junius.

IMBENCHING Im*bench"ing, n. Etym: [Pref. im- in + bench.]

Defn: A raised work like a bench. [Obs.] Parkhurst.

IMBER-GOOSE Im"ber-goose`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The loon. See Ember-goose.

IMBEZZLE Im*bez"zle, v. t. [Obs.]

Defn: See Embezzle.

IMBIBE Im*bibe", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imbibed; p. pr. & vb. n. Imbibing.] Etym: [L. imbibere; pref. im- in + bibere to drink: cf. F. imbiber. Cf. Bib, Imbue, Potable.]

1. To drink in; to absorb; to suck or take in; to receive as by drinking; as, a person imbibes drink, or a sponge imbibes moisture.

2. To receive or absorb into the mind and retain; as, to imbibe principles; to imbibe errors.

3. To saturate; to imbue. [Obs.] "Earth, imbibed with . . . acid." Sir I. Newton.

IMBIBER Im*bib"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, imbibes.

IMBIBITION Im`bi*bi"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. imbibition.]

Defn: The act or process of imbibing, or absorbing; as, the post- mortem imbibition of poisons. Bacon.

IMBITTER Im*bit"ter, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imbittered; p. pr. & vb. n. Imbittering.] Etym: [Pref. im- in + bitter. Cf. Embitter.] [Written also embitter.]

Defn: To make bitter; hence, to make distressing or more distressing; to make sad, morose, sour, or malignant. Is there anything that more imbitters the enjoyment of this life than shame South. Imbittered against each other by former contests. Bancroft.

IMBITTERER Im*bit"ter*er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, imbitters.

IMBITTERMENT Im*bit"ter*ment, n.

Defn: The act of imbittering; bitter feeling; embitterment.

IMBLAZE Im*blaze", v. t.

Defn: See Emblaze.

IMBLAZON Im*bla"zon, v. t.

Defn: See Emblazon.

IMBODY Im*bod"y, v. i. Etym: [See Embody.]

Defn: To become corporeal; to assume the qualities of a material body. See Embody. The soul grows clotted by contagion, Imbodies, and imbrutes. Milton.

IMBOIL Im*boil", v. t. & i. [Obs.]

Defn: See Emboil.

IMBOLDEN Im*bold"en, v. t.

Defn: See Embolden.

IMBONITY Im*bon"i*ty, n. Etym: [Pref. im- not + L. bonitas goodness.]

Defn: Want of goodness. [Obs.] Burton.

IMBORDER Im*bor"der, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imbordered; p. pr. & vb. n. Imbordering.] Etym: [Pref. im- in + border. Cf. Emborder.]

Defn: To furnish or inclose with a border; to form a border of. Milton.

IMBOSK Im*bosk", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imbosked; p. pr. & vb. n. Imbosking.] Etym: [CF. It. imboscare to imbosk, imboscarsi to retire into a wood; pref. im- in + bosco wood. See Boscage, and cf. Ambush.]

Defn: To conceal, as in bushes; to hide. [Obs.] Shelton.

IMBOSK Im*bosk", v. i.

Defn: To be concealed. [R.] Milton.

IMBOSOM Im*bos"om, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imbosomed; p. pr. & vb. n. Imbosoming.] Etym: [Pref. im- in + bosom. Cf. Embosom.]

1. To hold in the bosom; to cherish in the heart or affection; to embosom.

2. To inclose or place in the midst of; to surround or shelter; as, a house imbosomed in a grove. "Villages imbosomed soft in trees." Thomson. The Father infinite, By whom in bliss imbosomed sat the Son. Milton.

IMBOSS Im*boss", v. t.

Defn: See Emboss.

IMBOSTURE Im*bos"ture, n. Etym: [See Emboss.]

Defn: Embossed or raised work. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

IMBOUND Im*bound", v. t.

Defn: To inclose in limits; to shut in. [Obs.] Shak.

IMBOW Im*bow", v. t. Etym: [Pref. im- in + bow. Cf. Embow.]

Defn: To make like a bow; to curve; to arch; to vault; to embow. "Imbowed windows." Bacon.

IMBOWEL Im*bow"el, v. t.

Defn: See Embowel.

IMBOWER Im*bow"er, v. t. & i.

Defn: See Embower.

IMBOWMENT Im*bow"ment, n.

Defn: act of imbowing; an arch; a vault. Bacon.

IMBOX Im*box", v. t.

Defn: To inclose in a box.

IMBRACERY Im*bra"cer*y, n.

Defn: Embracery. [Obs.]

IMBRAID Im*braid", v. t. [Obs.]

Defn: See Embraid.

IMBRANGLE Im*bran"gle, v. t.

Defn: To entangle as in a cobweb; to mix confusedly. [R.] Hudibras. Physiology imbrangled with an inapplicable logic. Coleridge.

IMBREED Im*breed", v. t. Etym: [Cf. Inbreed.]

Defn: To generate within; to inbreed. [Obs.] Hakewill.

IMBRICATE; IMBRICATED Im"bri*cate, Im"bri*ca`ted, a. Etym: [L. imbricatus, p.p. of imbricare to cover with tiles, to form like a gutter tile, fr. imbrex, -icis, a hollow tile, gutter tile, fr. imber rain.]

1. Bent and hollowed like a roof or gutter tile.

2. Lying over each other in regular order, so as to "break joints," like tiles or shingles on a roof, the scales on the leaf buds of plants and the cups of some acorns, or the scales of fishes; overlapping each other at the margins, as leaves in æstivation.

3. In decorative art: Having scales lapping one over the other, or a representation of such scales; as, an imbricated surface; an imbricated pattern.

IMBRICATE Im"bri*cate, v. t.

Defn: To lay in order, one lapping over another, so as to form an imbricated surface.

IMBRICATION Im`bri*ca"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. imbrication.]

Defn: An overlapping of the edges, like that of tiles or shingles; hence, intricacy of structure; also, a pattern or decoration representing such a structure.

IMBRICATIVE Im"bri*ca*tive, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Imbricate.

IMBROCADO Im`bro*ca"do, n.; pl. Imbrocadoes. Etym: [See Brocade.]

Defn: Cloth of silver or of gold. [R.]

IMBROCATA; IMBROCCATA Im`bro*ca"ta, Im`broc*ca"ta, n. Etym: [It. imbroccata.]

Defn: A hit or thrust. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

IMBROGLIO Im*brogl"io, n.; pl. Imbroglios. [Written also embroglio.] Etym: [It. See 1st Broil, and cf. Embroil.]

1. An intricate, complicated plot, as of a drama or work of fiction.

2. A complicated and embarrassing state of things; a serious misunderstanding. Wrestling to free itself from the baleful imbroglio. Carlyle.

IMBROWN Im*brown", v. t. Etym: [Pref. im- in + brown. Cf. Embrown.]

Defn: To make brown; to obscure; to darken; to tan; as, features imbrowned by exposure. The mountain mass by scorching skies imbrowned. Byron.

IMBRUE Im*brue", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imbureed; p. pr. & vb. n. Imbureing.] Etym: [Cf. OF. embruer, also embruver, embreuver, embrever, to give to drink, soak (see pref. En-, 1, 1st In-, and Breverage), but also OE. enbrewen, enbrowen, to stain, soil (cf. Brewis).]

Defn: To wet or moisten; to soak; to drench, especially in blood. While Darwen stream, will blood of Scots imbrued. Milton.

IMBRUEMENT Im*brue"ment, n.

Defn: The act of imbruing or state of being imbrued.

IMBRUTE Im*brute", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imbruted; p. pr. & vb. n. Imbruting.] Etym: [Pref. im- in + brute: cf. F. abrutir. Cf. Embrute.]

Defn: To degrade to the state of a brute; to make brutal. And mixed with bestial slime, This essence to incarnate and imbrute. Milton.

IMBRUTE Im*brute", v. i.

Defn: To sink to the state of a brute. The soul grows clotted by contagion, Imbodies, and imbrutes, till she quite lose The divine property of her first being. Milton.

IMBRUTEMENT Im*brute"ment, n.

Defn: The act of imbruting, or the state of being imbruted. [R.] Brydges.

IMBUE Im*bue", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imbued; p. pr. & vb. n. Imbuing.] Etym: [L. imbuere; pref. im- in + perh. a disused simple word akin to L. bibere to drink. Cf. Imbibe.]

1. To tinge deeply; to dye; to cause to absorb; as, clothes thoroughly imbued with black.

2. To tincture deply; to cause to become impressed or penetrated; as, to imbue the minds of youth with good principles. Thy words with grace divine Imbued, bring to their sweetness no satiety. Milton.

IMBUEMENT Im*bue"ment, n.

Defn: The act of imbuing; the state of being imbued; hence, a deep tincture.

IMBURSE Im*burse", v. t. Etym: [Pref. im- in + burse: cf. F. embourser to put into one's purse. See Burse, and Purse.]

Defn: To supply or stock with money. [Obs.]

IMBURSEMENT Im*burse"ment, n.

1. The act of imbursing, or the state of being imbursed. [Obs.]

2. Money laid up in stock. [Obs.]

IMBUTION Im*bu"tion, n.

Defn: An imbuing. [Obs.]

IMESATIN I*mes"a*tin, n. Etym: [Imide + isatin.] (Chem.)

Defn: A dark yellow, crystalline substance, obtained by the action of ammonia on isatin.

IMIDE Im"ide, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A compound with, or derivative of, the imido group; specif., a compound of one or more acid radicals with the imido group, or with a monamine; hence, also, a derivative of ammonia, in which two atoms of hydrogen have been replaced by divalent basic or acid radicals; -- frequently used as a combining form; as, succinimide.

IMIDO Im"i*do, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, containing, or combined with, the radical NH, which is called the imido group. Imido acid, an organic acid, consisting of one or more acid radicals so united with the imido group that it contains replaceable acid hydrogen, and plays the part of an acid; as, uric acid, succinimide, etc., are imido acids.

IMITABILITY Im`it*a*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [See Imitable.]

Defn: The quality of being imitable. Norris.

IMITABLE Im"i*ta*ble, a. Etym: [L. imitabilis: cf. F. imitable. See Imitate.]

1. Capble of being imitated or copied. The characters of man placed in lower stations of life are more usefull, as being imitable by great numbers. Atterbury.

2. Worthy of imitation; as, imitable character or qualities. Sir W. Raleigh.

IMITABLENESS Im"i*ta*ble*ness, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being imitable; worthness of imitation.

IMITANCY Im"i*tan*cy, n. Etym: [From L. imitans, p. pr. of imitare.]

Defn: Tendency to imitation. [R.] Carlyle.

IMITATE Im"i*tate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imitated; p. pr. & vb. n. Imitating.] Etym: [L. imitatus, p. p. of imitari to imitate; of unknown origin. Cf. Image.]

1. To follow as a pattern, model, or example; to copy or strive to copy, in acts, manners etc. Despise wealth and imitate a dog. Cowlay.

2. To produce a semblance or likeness of, in form, character, color, qualities, conduct, manners, and the like; to counterfeit; to copy. A place picked out by choice of best alive The Nature's work by art can imitate. Spenser. This hand appeared a shining sword to weild, And that sustained an imitated shield. Dryden.

3. (Biol.)

Defn: To resemble (another species of animal, or a plant, or inanimate object) in form, color, ornamentation, or instinctive habits, so as to derive an advantage thereby; sa, when a harmless snake imitates a venomous one in color and manner, or when an odorless insect imitates, in color, one having secretion offensive to birds.

IMITATION Im"i*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. imitatio: cf. F. imitation.]

1. The act of imitating. Poesy is an art of imitation, . . . that is to say, a representing, counterfeiting, or figuring forth. Sir P. Sidney.

2. That which is made or produced as a copy; that which is made to resemble something else, whether for laudable or for fraudulent purposes; likeness; resemblance. Both these arts are not only true imitations of nature, but of the best nature. Dryden.

3. (Mus.)

Defn: One of the principal means of securing unity and consistency in polyphonic composition; the repetition of essentially the same melodic theme, phrase, or motive, on different degrees of pitch, by one or more of the other parts of voises. Cf. Canon.

4. (Biol.)

Defn: The act of condition of imitating another species of animal, or a plant, or unanimate object. See Imitate, v. t., 3.

Note: Imitation is often used adjectively to characterize things which have a deceptive appearance, simulating the qualities of a superior article; -- opposed to real or genuine; as, imitation lace; imitation bronze; imitation modesty, etc.

IMITATIONAL Im`i*ta"tion*al, a.

Defn: Pertaining to, or employed in, imitation; as, imitational propensities.

IMITATIVE Im"i*ta*tive, a. Etym: [L. imitavitus: cf. F. imitatif.]

1. Inclined to imitate, copy, or follow; imitating; exhibiting some of the qualities or characteristics of a pattern or model; dependent on example; not original; as, man is an imitative being; painting is an imitative art.

2. Formed after a model, pattern, or original. This temple, less in form, with equal grace, Was imitative of the first in Thrace. Dryden.

3. (Nat. Hist.)

Defn: Designed to imitate another species of animal, or a plant, or inanimate object, for some useful purpose, such as protection from enemies; having resamblance to something else; as, imitative colors; imitative habits; dendritic and mammillary forms of minerals are imitative. -- Im"i*ta*tive*ly, adv. -- Im"i*ta*tive*ness, n.

IMITATIVE Im"i*ta*tive, n. (Gram.)

Defn: A verb expressive of imitation or resemblance. [R.]

IMITATOR Im"i*ta"tor, n. Etym: [L.]

Defn: One who imitates.

IMITATORSHIP Im"i*ta`tor*ship, n.

Defn: The state or office of an imitator. "Servile imitatorship." Marston.

IMITATRESS Im"i*ta`tress, n.

Defn: A woman who is an imitator.

IMITATRIX Im"i*ta`trix, n.

Defn: An imitatress.

IMMACULATE Im*mac"u*late, a. Etym: [L. immaculatus; pref. im- not + maculatus, p. p. of maculare to spot, stane, fr. macula spot. See Mail armor.]

Defn: Without stain or blemish; spotless; undefiled; clear; pure. Were but my soul as pure From other guilt as that, Heaven did not hold One more immaculate. Denham. Thou sheer, immaculate and silver fountain. Shak. Immaculate conception (R. C. Ch.), the doctrine that the Virgin Mary was conceived without original sin. -- Im*mac"u*late*ly, adv. -- Im*mac"u*late*ness, n.

IMMAILED Im*mailed", a.

Defn: Wearing mail or armor; clad of armor. W. Browne.

IMMALLEABLE Im*mal"le*a*ble, a.

Defn: Not maleable.

IMMANACLE Im*man"a*cle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Immanacled; p. pr. & vb. n. Immanacling.]

Defn: To manacle; to fetter; hence; to confine; to restrain from free action. Although this corporal rind Thou hast immanacled. Milton.

IMMANATION Im"ma*na"tion, n. Etym: [Pref. im- in + L. manare to flow; cf. mantio a flowing.]

Defn: A flowing or entering in; -- opposed to emanation. [R.] Good.

IMMANE Im*mane", a. Etym: [L. immanis.]

Defn: Very great; huge; vast; also, monstrous in character; inhuman; atrocious; fierce. [Obs.] "So immane a man." Chapman. -- Im*mane"ly, adv. [Obs.]

IMMANENCE; IMMANENCY Im"ma*nence, Im"ma*nen*cy, n.

Defn: The condition or quality of being immanent; inherence; an indwelling. [Clement] is mainly concerned in enforcing the immanence of God. Christ is everywhere presented by him as Deity indwelling in the world. A. V. G. Allen.

IMMANENT Im"ma*nent, a. Etym: [L. immanens, p. pr. of immanere to remain in or near; pref. im- in + manere to remain: cf. F. immanent.]

Defn: Remaining within; inherent; indwelling; abiding; intrinsic; internal or subjective; hence, limited in activity, agency, or effect, to the subject or associated acts; -- opposed to emanant, transitory, transitive, or objective. A cognition is an immanent act of mind. Sir W. Hamilton. An immanent power in the life of the world. Hare.

IMMANIFEST Im*man"i*fest, a.

Defn: Not manifest. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

IMMANITY Im*man"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. immanitas.]

Defn: The state or quality of being immane; barbarity. [R.] Shak.

IMMANTLE Im*man"tle, v. t.

Defn: See Emmantle. [R.]

IMMANUEL Im*man"u*el, n. Etym: [Heb. 'imman, fr. 'im with + an us + el God.]

Defn: God with us; -- an appellation of the Christ. Is. vii. 14. Matt. i. 23.

IMMARCESCIBLE Im`mar*ces"ci*ble, a. Etym: [L. immarcescibilis; pref. im- not + marcescere to fade: cf. F. immarcescible.]

Defn: Unfading; lasting. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

IMMARCESCIBLY Im`mar*ces"ci*bly, adv.

Defn: Unfadingly. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

IMMARGINATE Im*mar"gin*ate, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Not having a distinctive margin or border. Grey.

IMMARTIAL Im*mar"tial, a.

Defn: Not martial; unwarlike. [Obs.]

IMMASK Im*mask", v. t.

Defn: To cover, as with a mask; to disguise or conceal. [R.] Shak.

IMMATCHABLE Im*match"a*ble, a.

Defn: Matchless; peerless. [Obs.] Holland.

IMMATERIAL Im"ma*te"ri*al, a. Etym: [Pref. im- not + material: cf. F. immatériel.]

1. Not consisting of matter; incorporeal; spiritual; disembodied. Angels are spirits immaterial and intellectual. Hooker.

2. Of no substantial consequence; without weight or significance; unimportant; as, it is wholly immaterial whether he does so or not.

Syn. -- Unimportant; inconsequential; insignificant; inconsiderable; trifling.

IMMATERIALISM Im`ma*te"ri*al*ism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. immatérialisme.]

1. The doctrine that immaterial substances or spiritual being exist, or are possible.

2. (Philos.)

Defn: The doctrine that external bodies may be reduced to mind and ideas in a mind; any doctrine opposed to materialism or phenomenalism, esp. a system that maintains the immateriality of the soul; idealism; esp., Bishop Berkeley's theory of idealism.

IMMATERIALIST Im`ma*te"ri*al*ist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. immatérialiste.] (Philos.)

Defn: One who believes in or professes, immaterialism.

IMMATERIALITY Im`ma*te`ri*al"i*ty, n.; pl. Immaterialities. Etym: [Cf. F. immatérialité.]

Defn: The state or quality of being immaterial or incorporeal; as, the immateriality of the soul.

IMMATERIALIZE Im`ma*te"ri*al*ize, v. t. Etym: [Cf. F. immatérialiser.]

Defn: To render immaterial or incorporeal. Immateralized spirits. Glanvill.

IMMATERIALLY Im`ma*te"ri*al*ly, adv.

1. In an immaterial manner; without matter or corporeal substance.

2. In an unimportant manner or degree.

IMMATERIALNESS Im`ma*te"ri*al*ness, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being immaterial; immateriality.

IMMATERIATE Im`ma*te"ri*ate, a.

Defn: Immaterial. [Obs.] Bacon.

IMMATURE Im`ma*ture", a. Etym: [L. immaturus; pref. im- not + maturus mature, ripe. See Mature.]

1. Not mature; unripe; not arrived at perfection of full development; crude; unfinished; as, immature fruit; immature character; immature plans. "An ill-measured and immature counsel." Bacon.

2. Premature; untimely; too early; as, an immature death. [R.] Jer. Taylor.

IMMATURED Im`ma*tured", a.

Defn: Immature.

IMMATURELY Im`ma*ture"ly, adv.

Defn: In an immature manner. Warburion.

IMMATURENESS Im`ma*ture"ness, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being immature; immaturity. Boyle.

IMMATURITY Im`ma*tu"ri*ty, n. Etym: [L. immaturitas: cf. F. immaturité.]

Defn: The state or quality of being immature or not fully developed; unripeness; incompleteness. When the world has outgrown its intellectual immaturity. Caird.

IMMEABILITY Im`me*a*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [Pref. im- not + L. meabilis passable, fr. meare to pass.]

Defn: Want of power to pass, or to permit passage; impassableness. Immeability of the juices. Arbuthnot.

IMMEASURABILITY Im*meas`ur*a*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality of being immeasurable; immensurability.

IMMEASURABLE Im*meas"ur*a*ble, a. Etym: [Pref. im- not + measurable: cf. F. measurable. Cf. Immensurable, Unmeasurable.]

Defn: Incapble of being measured; indefinitely extensive; illimitable; immensurable; vast. Of depth immeasurable. Milton.

IMMEASURABLENESS Im*meas"ur*a*ble*ness, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being immeasurable. Eternity and immeasurableness belong to thought alone. F. W. Robertson.

IMMEASURABLY Im*meas"ur*a*bly, adv.

Defn: In an immeasurable manner or degree. "Immeasurably distant." Wordsworth.

IMMEASURED Im*meas"ured, a.

Defn: Immeasurable. [R.] Spenser.

IMMECHANICAL Im`me*chan"ic*al, a.

Defn: Not mechanical. [Obs.] Cheyne. -- Im"me*chan"ic*al*ly, adv. [Obs.]

IMMEDIACY Im*me"di*a*cy, n.

Defn: The relation of freedom from the interventionof a medium; immediateness. Shak.

IMMEDIATE Im*me"di*ate, a. Etym: [F. immédiat. See In- not, and Mediate.]

1. Not separated in respect to place by anything intervening; proximate; close; as, immediate contact. You are the most immediate to our throne. Shak.

2. Not deferred by an interval of time; present; instant. "Assemble we immediate council." Shak. Death . . . not yet inflicted, as he feared, By some immediate stroke. Milton.

3. Acting with nothing interposed or between, or without the intervention of another object as a cause, means, or agency; acting, perceived, or produced, directly; as, an immediate cause. The immediate knowledge of the past is therefore impossible. Sir. W. Hamilton. Immediate amputation (Surg.), an amputation performed within the first few hours after an injury, and before the the effects of the shock have passed away.

Syn. -- Proximate; close; direct; next.

IMMEDIATELY Im*me"di*ate*ly, adv.

1. In an immediate manner; without intervention of any other person or thing; proximately; directly; -- opposed to mediately; as, immediately contiguous. God's acceptance of it either immediately by himself, or mediately by the hands of the bishop. South.

2. Without interval of time; without delay; promptly; instantly; at once. And Jesus . . . touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Matt. viii. 3.

3. As soon as. Cf. Directly,

8, Note.

Syn. -- Directly; instantly; quickly; forthwith; straightway; presently. See Directly.

IMMEDIATENESS Im*me"di*ate*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or relations of being immediate in manner, place, or time; exemption from second or interventing causes. Bp. Hall.

IMMEDIATISM Im*me"di*a*tism, n.

Defn: Immediateness.

IMMEDICABLE Im*med"i*ca*ble, a. Etym: [L. Immedicabilis. See In- not, and Medicable.]

Defn: Not to be healed; incurable. "Wounds immedicable." Milton.

IMMELODIOUS Im`me*lo"di*ous, a.

Defn: Not melodious.

IMMEMORABLE Im*mem"o*ra*ble, a. Etym: [L. immemorabilis; pref. im- not + memorabilis memorable: cf. F. immémorable. See Memorable.]

Defn: Not memorable; not worth remembering. Johnson.

IMMEMORIAL Im`me*mo"ri*al, a. Etym: [Pref. im- not + memorial: cf. F. immémorial.]

Defn: Extending beyond the reach of memory, record, or tradition; indefinitely ancient; as, existing from time immemorial. "Immemorial elms." Tennyson. "Immemorial usage or custom." Sir M. Hale. Time immemorial (Eng. Law.), a time antedating (legal) history, and beyond "legal memory" so called; formerly an indefinite time, but in 1276 this time was fixed by statute as the begining of the reign of Richard I. (1189). Proof of unbroken possession or use of any right since that date made it unnecessary to establish the original grant. In 1832 the plan of dating legal memory from a fixed time was abandoned and the principle substituted that rights which had been enjoyed for full twenty years (or as against the crown thirty years) should not be liable to impeachment merely by proving that they had not been enjoyed before.

IMMEMORIALLY Im`me*mo"ri*al*ly, adv.

Defn: Beyond memory. Bentley.

IMMENSE Im*mense", a. Etym: [L. immensus; pref. im- not + mensus, p. p. of metiri to measure: cf. F. immense. See Measure.]

Defn: Immeasurable; unlimited. In commonest use: Very great; vast; huge. "Immense the power" Pope. "Immense and boundless ocean." Daniel. O Goodness infinite! Goodness immense! Milton.

Syn. -- Infinite; immeasurable; illimitable; unbounded; unlimited; interminable; vast; prodigious; enormous; monstrous. See Enormous.

IMMENSELY Im*mense"ly, adv.

Defn: In immense manner or degree.

IMMENSENESS Im*mense"ness, n.

Defn: The state of being immense.

IMMENSIBLE Im*men"si*ble, a. Etym: [Immense + -ible.]

Defn: Immeasurable. [Obs.] Davies.

IMMENSITY Im*men"si*ty, n.; pl. Immensities. Etym: [L. immensitas: cf. F. immensité.]

Defn: The state or quality of being immense; inlimited or immeasurable extension; infinity; vastness in extent or bulk; greatness. Lost in the wilds of vast immensity. Blackmore. The immensity of the material system. I. Taylor.

IMMENSIVE Im*men"sive, a.

Defn: Huge. [Obs.] Herrick.

IMMENSURABILITY Im*men`su*ra*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality of being immensurable.

IMMENSURABLE Im*men"su*ra*ble, a. Etym: [Pref. im- not + L. mensurabilis measurable: cf. F. immensurable. Cf. Immeasurable.]

Defn: Immeasurable. What an immensurable space is the firmament. Derham.

IMMENSURATE Im*men"su*rate, a. Etym: [Pref. im- not + mensurate.]

Defn: Unmeasured; unlimited. [R.] W. Montagu.

IMMERGE Im*merge", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Immerged; p. pr. & vb. n. Immerging.] Etym: [L. immergere; pref. im- in + mergere to dip, plunge: cf. F. immerger. See Merge, and cf. Immerse.]

Defn: To plungel into, under, or within anything especially a fuid; to dip; to immerse. See Immerse. We took . . . lukewarm water, and in it immerged a quantity of the leaves of senna. Boyle. Their souls are immerged in matter. Jer. Taylor.

IMMERGE Im*merge", v. i.

Defn: To dissapear by entering into any medium, as a star into the light of the sun. [R.]

IMMERIT Im*mer"it, n.

Defn: Want of worth; demerit. [R.] Suckling.

IMMERITED Im*mer"it*ed, a.

Defn: Unmerited. [Obs.] Charles I.

IMMERITOUS Im*mer"it*ous, a. Etym: [L. immeritus; pref. im- not + meritus, p. p. of merere, mereri, to deserve.]

Defn: Undeserving. [Obs.] Milton.

IMMERSABLE Im*mers"a*ble, a.

Defn: See Immersible.

IMMERSE Im*merse", a. Etym: [L. immersus, p. p. of immergere. See Immerge.]

Defn: Immersed; buried; hid; sunk. [Obs.] "Things immerse in matter." Bacon.

IMMERSE Im*merse", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Immersed; p. pr. & vb. n. Immersing.]

1. To plunge into anything that surrounds or covers, especially into a fluid; to dip; to sink; to bury; to immerge. Deep immersed beneath its whirling wave. J Warton. More than a mile immersed within the wood. Dryden.

2. To baptize by immersion.

3. To engage deeply; to engross the attention of; to involve; to overhelm. The queen immersed in such a trance. Tennyson. It is impossible to have a lively hope in another life, and yet be deeply immersed inn the enjoyments of this. Atterbury.

IMMERSED Im*mersed", p. p. & a.

1. Deeply plunged into anything, especially a fluid.

2. Deeply occupied; engrossed; entangled.

3. (Bot.)

Defn: Growing wholly under water. Gray.

IMMERSIBLE Im*mers"i*ble, a. Etym: [From Immerse.]

Defn: Capable of being immersed.

IMMERSIBLE Im*mers"i*ble, a. Etym: [Pref. im- not + L. mersus, p. p. of mergere to plunge.]

Defn: Not capable of being immersed.

IMMERSION Im*mer"sion, n. Etym: [L. immersio; cf. F. immersion.]

1. The act of immersing, or the state of being immersed; a sinking within a fluid; a dipping; as, the immersion of Achilles in the Styx.

2. Submersion in water for the purpose of Christian baptism, as, practiced by the Baptists.

3. The state of being overhelmed or deeply absorbed; deep engagedness. Too deep an immersion in the affairs of life. Atterbury.

4. (Astron.)

Defn: The dissapearance of a celestail body, by passing either behind another, as in the occultation of a star, or into its shadow, as in the eclipse of a satellite; -- opposed to emersion. Immersion lens, a microscopic objective of short focal distance designed to work with a drop of liquid, as oil, between the front lens and the slide, so that this lens is practically immersed.

IMMERSIONIST Im*mer"sion*ist, n. (Eccl.)

Defn: One who holds the doctrine that immersion is essential to Christian baptism.

IMMESH Im*mesh", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Immeshed; p. pr. & vb. n. Immeshing.] Etym: [Pref. im- in + mesh. Cf. Inmesh.]

Defn: To catch or entangle in, or as in, the meshes of a net. or in a web; to insnare.

IMMETHODICAL Im`me*thod"ic*al, a.

Defn: Not methodical; without method or systematic arrangement; without order or regularity; confused. Addison.

Syn. -- Irregular; confused; disoderly; unsystematic; desultory.

IMMETHODICALLY Im`me*thod"ic*al*ly, adv.

Defn: Without method; confusedly; unsystematically.

IMMETHODICALNESS Im`me*thod"ic*al*ness, n.

Defn: Want of method.

IMMETHODIZE Im*meth"od*ize, v. t.

Defn: To render immethodical; to destroy the method of; to confuse. [R.]

IMMETRICAL Im*met"ric*al (, a.

Defn: Not metrical or rhythmical. [R.] Chapman.

IMMEW Im*mew", v. t.

Defn: See Emmew.

IMMIGRANT Im"mi*grant, n. Etym: [L. immigrans, p. pr. of immigrare to go into: cf. F. immigrant. See Immigrate.]

Defn: One who immigrates; one who comes to a country for the purpose of permanent residence; -- correlative of emigrant.

Syn. -- See Emigrant.

IMMIGRATE Im"mi*grate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Immigrated; p. pr. & vb. n. Immigrating.] Etym: [L. immigrare, immigratum, to immigrate; pref. im- in + migrare to migrate. See Migrate.]

Defn: To come into a country of which one is not a native, for the purpose of permanent residence. See Emigrate.

IMMIGRATION Im"mi*gra"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. immigration.]

Defn: The act of immigrating; the passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence. The immigrations of the Arabians into Europe. T. Warton.

IMMINENCE Im"mi*nence, n. Etym: [Cf. F. imminence, L. imminentia, See Imminent.]

1. The condition or quality of being imminent; a threatening, as of something about to happen. The imminence of any danger or distress. Fuller.

2. That which is imminent; impending evil or danger. "But dare all imminence." Shak.

IMMINENT Im"mi*nent, a. Etym: [L. imminens, p. pr. of imminere to project; pref. im- in + minere (in comp.) to jut, project. See Eminent.]

1. Threatening to occur immediately; near at hand; impending; -- said especially of misfortune or peril. "In danger imminent." Spenser.

2. Full of danger; threatening; menacing; perilous. Hairbreadth scapes i' the imminent deadly breach. Shak.

3. (With upon) Bent upon; attentive to. [R.] Their eyes ever imminent upon worldly matters. Milton.

Syn. -- Impending; threatening; near; at hand. -- Imminent, Impending, Threatening. Imminent is the strongest: it denotes that something is ready to fall or happen on the instant; as, in imminent danger of one's life. Impending denotes that something hangs suspended over us, and may so remain indefinitely; as, the impending evils of war. Threatening supposes some danger in prospect, but more remote; as, threatening indications for the future. Three times to-day You have defended me from imminent death. Shak. No story I unfold of public woes, Nor bear advices of impending foes. Pope. Fierce faces threatening war. Milton.

IMMINENTLY Im"mi*nent*ly, adv.

Defn: In an imminent manner.

IMMINGLE Im*min"gle, v. t.

Defn: To mingle; to mix; to unite; to blend. [R.] Thomson.

IMMINUTION Im`mi*nu"tion, n. Etym: [L. imminutio, fr. imminuere, imminutum, to lessen; pref. im- in + minuere.]

Defn: A lessening; diminution; decrease. [R.] Ray.

IMMISCIBILITY Im*mis"ci*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. immiscibilité.]

Defn: Incapability of being mixed, or mingled.

IMMISCIBLE Im*mis"ci*ble, a. Etym: [Pref. im- not + miscible: cf. F. immiscible.]

Defn: Not capable of being mixed or mingled. A chaos of immiscible and conflicting particles. Cudworth.

IMMISSION Im*mis"sion, n. Etym: [L. immissio: cf. F. immission. See Immit.]

Defn: The act of immitting, or of sending or thrusting in; injection; -- the correlative of emission.

IMMIT Im*mit", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Immitted; p. pr. & vb. n. Immiting.] Etym: [L. immittere, immissum; pref. im- in + mittere to send.]

Defn: To send in; to inject; to infuse; -- the correlative of emit. [R.] Boyle.

IMMITIGABLE Im*mit"i*ga*ble, a. Etym: [L. immitigabilis; fr. pref. im- not + mitigare to mitigate.]

Defn: Not capable of being mitigated, softened, or appeased. Coleridge.

IMMITIGABLY Im*mit"i*ga*bly, adv.

Defn: In an immitigable manner.

IMMIX Im*mix", v. t. Etym: [Pref. in- in + mix.]

Defn: To mix; to mingle. [R.] Amongst her tears immixing prayers meek. Spenser.

IMMIXABLE Im*mix"a*ble, a.

Defn: Not mixable. Bp. Wilkins.

IMMIXED Im*mixed", a. Etym: [Pref. in- not + mixed, p. p. of mix.]

Defn: Unmixed. [Obs.] How pure and immixed the design is. Boyle.

IMMIXTURE Im*mix"ture, n.

Defn: Freedom from mixture; purity. [R.] W. Montagu.

IMMOBILE Im*mo"bile, a. Etym: [L. immobilis: cf. F. immobile. See Immobility.]

Defn: Incapable of being moved; immovable; fixed; stable. Prof. Shedd.

IMMOBILITY Im`mo*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. immobilitas, fr. immobilis immovable; pref. im- not + mobilis movable: cf. F. immobilité. See Mobile.]

Defn: The condition or quality of being immobile; fixedness in place or state.

IMMOBILIZE Im*mob"i*lize, v. t. Etym: [Pref. im- in + mobilize; cf. f. immobiliser.]

Defn: To make immovable; in surgery, to make immovable (a naturally mobile part, as a joint) by the use of splints, or stiffened bandages.

IMMOBLE Im*mo"ble, a. [Obs.]

Defn: See Immobile.

IMMODERACY Im*mod"er*a*cy, n. Etym: [From Immoderate.]

Defn: Immoderateness. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

IMMODERANCY Im*mod"er*an*cy, n. Etym: [L. immoderantia.]

Defn: Immoderateness; excess. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

IMMODERATE Im*mod"er*ate, a. Etym: [L. immoderatus; pref. im- not + moderatus moderate. See Moderate.]

Defn: Not moderate; exceeding just or usual and suitable bounds; excessive; extravagant; unreasonable; as, immoderate demands; immoderate grief; immoderate laughter. So every scope by the immoderate use Turns to restraint. Shak.

Syn. -- Excessive; exorbitant; unreasonable; extravagant; intemperate; inordinate.

IMMODERATELY Im*mod"er*ate*ly, adv.

Defn: In an immoderate manner; excessively.

IMMODERATENESS Im*mod"er*ate*ness, n.

Defn: The quality of being immoderate; excess; extravagance. Puller.

IMMODERATION Im*mod`er*a"tion, n. Etym: [L. immoderatio: cf. F. imodération.]

Defn: Want of moderation. Hallywell.

IMMODEST Im*mod"est, a. Etym: [F. immodeste, L. immodestus immoderate; pref. im- not + modestus modest. See Modest.]

1. Not limited to due bounds; immoderate.

2. Not modest; wanting in the reserve or restraint which decorum and decency require; indecent; indelicate; obscene; lewd; as, immodest persons, behavior, words, pictures, etc. Immodest deeds you hinder to be wrought, But we proscribe the least immodest thought. Dryden.

Syn. -- Indecorous; indelicate; shameless; shameful; impudent; indecent; impure; unchaste; lewd; obscene.

IMMODESTLY Im*mod"est*ly, adv.

Defn: In an immodest manner.

IMMODESTY Im*mod"es*ty, n. Etym: [L. immodestia: cf. F. immodestie.]

Defn: Want of modesty, delicacy, or decent reserve; indecency. "A piece of immodesty." Pope.

IMMOLATE Im"mo*late, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Immolated; p. pr. & vb. n. Immolating.] Etym: [L. immolatus, p. p. of immolare to sacrifice, orig., to sprinkle a victim with sacrifical meal; pref. im- in + mola grits or grains of spelt coarsely ground and mixed with salt; also, mill. See Molar, Meal ground grain.]

Defn: To sacrifice; to offer in sacrifice; to kill, as a sacrificial victim. Worshipers, who not only immolate to them [the deities] the lives of men, but . . . the virtue and honor of women. Boyle.

IMMOLATION Im`mo*la"tion, n. Etym: [L. immolatio: cf. F. immolation.]

1. The act of immolating, or the state of being immolated, or sacrificed. Sir. T. Browne.

2. That which is immolated; a sacrifice.

IMMOLATOR Im"mo*la`tor, n. Etym: [L.]

Defn: One who offers in sacrifice; specifically, one of a sect of Russian fanatics who practice self-mutilatio and sacrifice.

IMMOLD; IMMOULD Im*mold", Im*mould", v. t.

Defn: To mold into shape, or form. [Obs.] G. Fletcher.

IMMOMENT Im*mo"ment, a. Etym: [See Immomentous.]

Defn: Trifling. [R.] "Immoment toys." Shak.

IMMOMENTOUS Im`mo*men"tous, a. Etym: [Pref. im- not + momentous.]

Defn: Not momentous; unimportant; insignificant. [R.] A. Seward.

IMMORAL Im*mor"al, a. Etym: [Pref. im- not + moral: cf. F. immoral.]

Defn: Not moral; inconsistent with rectitude, purity, or good morals; contrary to conscience or the divine law; wicked; unjust; dishonest; vicious; licentious; as, an immoral man; an immoral deed.

Syn. -- Wicked; sinful; criminal; vicious; unjust; dishonest; depraved; impure; unchaste; profligate; dissolute; abandoned; licentious; lewd; obscene.

IMMORALITY Im`mo*ral"i*ty, n.; pl. Immoralities. Etym: [Cf. F. immoralité.]

1. The state or quality of being immoral; vice. The root of all immorality. Sir W. Temple.

2. An immoral act or practice. Luxury and sloth and then a great drove of heresies and immoralities broke loose among them. Milton.

IMMORALLY Im*mor"al*ly, adv.

Defn: In an immoral manner; wickedly.

IMMORIGEROUS Im`mo*rig"er*ous, a. Etym: [Pref. im- not + morigerous.]

Defn: Rude; uncivil; disobedient. [Obs.] -- Im`mo*rig"er*ous*ness, n. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.

IMMORTAL Im*mor"tal, a. Etym: [L. immortalis; pref. im- not + mortalis mortal: cf. F. immortel. See Mortal, and cf. Immortelle.]

1. Not mortal; exempt from liability to die; undying; imperishable; lasting forever; having unlimited, or eternal, existance. Unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible. 1 Tim. i. 17. For my soul, what can it do to that, Being a thing immortal as itself Shak.

2. Connected with, or pertaining to immortability. I have immortal longings in me. Shak.

3. Destined to live in all ages of this world; abiding; exempt from oblivion; imperishable; as, immortal fame. One of the few, immortal names, That were not born yo die. Halleck.

4. Great; excessive; grievous. [Obs.] Hayward. Immortal flowers, imortelles; everlastings.

Syn. -- Eternal; everlasting; never-ending; ceaseless; perpetual; continual; enduring; endless; imperishable; incorruptible; deathless; undying.

IMMORTAL Im*mor"tal, n.

Defn: One who will never cease to be; one exempt from death, decay, or annihilation. Bunyan.

IMMORTALIST Im*mor"tal*ist, n.

Defn: One who holds the doctrine of the immortality of the soul. [R.] Jer. Taylor.

IMMORTALITY Im`mor*tal"i*ty, n.; pl. Immortalities. Etym: [L. immortalitas: cf. F. immortalité.]

1. The quality or state of being immortal; exemption from death and annihilation; unending existance; as, the immortality of the soul. This mortal must put on immortality. 1 Cor. xv. 53.

2. Exemption from oblivion; perpetuity; as, the immortality of fame.

IMMORTALIZATION Im*mor`tal*i*za"tion, n.

Defn: The act of immortalizing, or state of being immortalized.

IMMORTALIZE Im*mor"tal*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Immortalized; p. pr. & vb. n. Immortalizing.] Etym: [Cf. F. immortaliser.]

1. To render immortal; to cause to live or exist forever. S. Clarke.

2. To exempt from oblivion; to perpetuate in fame. Alexander had no Homer to immortalize his quilty name. T. Dawes.

IMMORTALIZE Im*mor"tal*ize, v. i.

Defn: To become immortal. [R.]

IMMORTALLY Im*mor"tal*ly, adv.

Defn: In an immortal manner.

IMMORTELLE Im`mor*telle", n.; pl. Immortelles. Etym: [F. See Immortal.] (Bot.)

Defn: A plant with a conspicuous, dry, unwithering involucre, as the species of Antennaria, Helichrysum, Gomphrena, etc. See Everlasting.

IMMORTIFICATION Im*mor`ti*fi*ca"tion, n.

Defn: Failure to mortify the passions. [R.] Jer. Taylor.

IMMOVABILITY Im*mov"a*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being immovable; fixedness; steadfastness; as, immovability of a heavy body; immovability of purpose.

IMMOVABLE Im*mov"a*ble, a.

1. Incapable of being moved; firmly fixed; fast; -- used of material things; as, an immovable foundatin. Immovable, infixed, and frozen round. Milton.

2. Steadfast; fixed; unalterable; unchangeable; -- used of the mind or will; as, an immovable purpose, or a man who remain immovable.

3. Not capable of being affected or moved in feeling or by sympathy; unimpressible; impassive. Dryden.

4. (Law.)

Defn: Not liable to be removed; permanent in place or tenure; fixed; as, an immovable estate. See Immovable, n. Blackstone. Immovable apparatus (Med.), an appliance, like the plaster of paris bandage, which keeps fractured parts firmly in place. -- Immovable feasts (Eccl.), feasts which occur on a certain day of the year and do not depend on the date of Easter; as, Christmas, the Epiphany, etc.

IMMOVABLE Im*mov"a*ble, n.

1. That which can not be moved.

2. pl. (Civil Law)

Defn: Lands and things adherent thereto by nature, as trees; by the hand of man, as buildings and their accessories; by their destination, as seeds, plants, manure, etc.; or by the objects to which they are applied, as servitudes. Ayliffe. Bouvier.

IMMOVABLENESS Im*mov"a*ble*ness, n.

Defn: Quality of being immovable.

IMMOVABLY Im*mov"a*bly, adv.

Defn: In an immovable manner.

IMMUND Im*mund", a. Etym: [L.immundus; pref. im- not + mundus clean.]

Defn: Unclean. [R.] Burton.

IMMUNDICITY Im`mun*dic"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. immondicité, L. immunditia, immundities.]

Defn: Uncleanness; filthness. [R.] W. Montagu.

IMMUNE Im*mune", a. Etym: [L. immunis. See Immunity.]

Defn: Exempt; protected by inoculation. -- Im*mu"nize, v. t.

IMMUNITY Im*mu"ni*ty, n.; pl. Immunities. Etym: [L. immunitas, fr. immunis free from a public service; pref. im- not + munis complaisant, obliging, cf. munus service, duty: cf. F. immunité. See Common, and cf. Mean, a.]

1. Freedom or exemption from any charge, duty, obligation, office, tax, imposition, penalty, or service; a particular privilege; as, the immunities of the free cities of Germany; the immunities of the clergy.

2. Freedom; exemption; as, immunity from error.

IMMURE Im*mure", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Immured; p. pr. & vb. n. Immuring.] Etym: [Pref. im- in + mure: cf. F. emmurer.]

1. To wall around; to surround with walls. [Obs.] Sandys.

2. To inclose whithin walls, or as within walls; hence, to shut up; to imprison; to incarcerate. Those tender babes Whom envy hath immured within your walls. Shak. This huge convex of fire, Outrageous to devour, immures us round. Milton.

IMMURE Im*mure", n.

Defn: A wall; an inclosure. [Obs.] Shak.

IMMUREMENT Im*mure"ment, n.

Defn: The act iif immuring, or the state of being immured; imprsonment.

IMMUSICAL Im*mu"sic*al, a.

Defn: Inharmonious; unmusical; discordant. Bacon.

IMMUTABILITY Im*mu`ta*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. immutabilitas: cf. F. immutabilité.]

Defn: The state or quality of being immutable; immutableness. Heb. vi. 17.

IMMUTABLE Im*mu"ta*ble, a. Etym: [L. immutabilis; pref. im- not + mutabilis mutable. See Mutable.]

Defn: Not mutable; not capable or susceptible of change; unchangeable; unalterable. That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation. Heb. vi. 18. Immutable, immortal, infinite, Eternal King. Milton. -- Im*mu"ta*ble*ness, n. -- Im*mu"ta*bly, adv.

IMMUTATE Im*mu"tate, a. Etym: [L. immutatus, p. p. of immature.]

Defn: Unchanged. [Obs.]

IMMUTATION Im"mu*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. immutatio, from immutare, immutatum, to change. See Immute.]

Defn: Change; alteration; mutation. [R.] Dr. H. More.

IMMUTE Im*mute", v. t. Etym: [L. immutare, immutatum; perf. im- in + mutare to change : cf. OF. immuter.]

Defn: To change or alter. [Obs.] J. Salkeld.

IMP Imp, n. Etym: [OE. imp a graft, AS. impa; akin to Dan. ympe, Sw. ymp, prob. fr. LL. impotus, Gr. be. See 1st In-, Be.]

1. A shoot; a scion; a bud; a slip; a graft. [Obs.] Chaucer.

2. An offspring; progeny; child; scion. [Obs.] The tender imp was weaned. Fairfax.

3. A young or inferior devil; a little, malignant spirit; a puny demon; a contemptible evil worker. To mingle in the clamorous fray Of squabbling imps. Beattie.

4. Something added to, or united with, another, to lengthen it out or repair it, -- as, an addition to a beehive; a feather inserted in a broken wing of a bird; a length of twisted hair in a fishing line. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

IMP Imp, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imped; p. pr. & vb. n. Imping.] Etym: [AS. impian to imp, ingraft, plant; akin to Dan. ympe, Sw. ympa, OHG. impfon, impiton, G. impfen. See Imp, n.]

1. To graft; to insert as a scion. [Obs.] Rom. of R.

2. (Falconry)

Defn: To graft with new feathers, as a wing; to splice a broken feather. Hence, Fig.: To repair; to extend; to increase; to strengthen to equip. [Archaic] Imp out our drooping country's broken wing. Shak. Who lazily imp their wings with other men's plumes. Fuller. Here no frail Muse shall imp her crippled wing. Holmes. Help, ye tart satirists, to imp my rage With all the scorpions that should whip this age. Cleveland.

IMPACABLE Im*pa"ca*ble, a. Etym: [L. pref. im- not + pacare to quiet. See Pacate.]

Defn: Not to be appeased or quieted. [Obs.] Spenser. -- Im*pa"ca*bly, adv.

IMPACKMENT Im*pack"ment, n. Etym: [Pref. im- in + pack.]

Defn: The state of being closely surrounded, crowded, or pressed, as by ice. [R.] Kane.

IMPACT Im*pact", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impacted; p. pr. & vb. n. Impacting.] Etym: [L. impactus, p. p. of impingere to push, strike against. See Impinge.]

Defn: To drive close; to press firmly together: to wedge into a place. Woodward.

IMPACT Im"pact, n.

1. Contact or impression by touch; collision; forcible contact; force communicated. The quarrel, by that impact driven. Southey.

2. (Mech.)

Defn: The single instantaneous stroke of a body in motion against another either in motion or at rest.

IMPACTED Im*pact"ed, a.

Defn: Driven together or close. Impacted fracture (Surg.), a fracture in which the fragments are driven into each other so as to be immovable.

IMPACTION Im*pac"tion, n. Etym: [L. impactio a striking : cf. F. impaction.]

1. (Surg.)

Defn: The driving of one fragment of bone into another so that the fragments are not movable upon each other; as, impaction of the skull or of the hip.

2. An immovable packing; (Med.), a lodgment of something in a strait or passage of the body; as, impaction of the fetal head in the strait of the pelvis; impaction of food or feces in the intestines of man or beast.

IMPAINT Im*paint", v. t.

Defn: To paint; to adorn with colors. [R.] "To impaint his cause." Shak.

IMPAIR Im*pair", v. t. [imp & p. p. Impaired; p. pr. & vb. n. Impairing.] [Written also empair.] Etym: [OE. empeiren, enpeiren, OF. empeirier, empirier, F. empirer, LL. impejorare; L. pref. im- in + pejorare to make worse, fr. pejor worse. Cf. Appair.]

Defn: To make worse; to diminish in quantity, value, excellence, or strength; to deteriorate; as, to impair health, character, the mind, value. Time sensibly all things impairs. Roscommon. In years he seemed, but not impaired by years. Pope.

Syn. -- To diminish; decrease; injure; weaken; enfeeble; debilitate; reduce; debase; deteriorate.

IMPAIR Im*pair", v. t.

Defn: To grow worse; to deteriorate. Milton.

IMPAIR Im"pair, a. Etym: [F. impair uneven, L. impar; im- not + par equal.]

Defn: Not fit or appropriate. [Obs.]

IMPAIR Im*pair", n.

Defn: Diminution; injury. [Obs.]

IMPAIRER Im*pair"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, impairs.

IMPAIRMENT Im*pair"ment, n. Etym: [OE. enpeirement, OF. empirement.]

Defn: The state of being impaired; injury. "The impairment of my health." Dryden.

IMPALATABLE Im*pal"a*ta*ble, a.

Defn: Unpalatable. [R.]

IMPALE Im*pale", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impaled; p. pr. & vb. n. Impaling.] Etym: [See 2d Empale.]

1. To pierce with a pale; to put to death by fixing on a sharp stake. See Empale. Then with what life remains, impaled, and left To writhe at leisure round the bloody stake. Addison.

2. To inclose, as with pales or stakes; to surround. Impale him with your weapons round about. Shak. Impenetrable, impaled with circling fire. Milton.

3. (Her.)

Defn: To join, as two coats of arms on one shield, palewise; hence, to join in honorable mention. Ordered the admission of St. Patrick to the same to be matched and impaled with the blessed Virgin in the honor thereof. Fuller.

IMPALEMENT Im*pale"ment, n.

1. The act of impaling, or the state of being impaled. Byron.

2. An inclosing by stakes or pales, or the space so inclosed. H. Brooke.

3. That which hedges in; inclosure. [R.] Milton.

4. (Her.)

Defn: The division of a shield palewise, or by a vertical line, esp. for the purpose of putting side by side the arms of husband and wife. See Impale, 3.

IMPALLA Im*pal"la, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The pallah deer of South Africa.

IMPALLID Im*pal"lid, v. t.

Defn: To make pallid; to blanch. [Obs.] Feltham.

IMPALM Im*palm", v. t.

Defn: To grasp with or hold in the hand. [R.] J. Barlow.

IMPALPABILITY Im*pal`pa*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. impalpabilité.]

Defn: The quality of being impalpable. Jortin.