Chapter CCXXV: Foreword: Fore"word`, n (46)

1. A burstion inwards, as of a vessel from which the air has been exhausted; -- contrasted with explosion.

2. (Phon.)

Defn: A sudden compression of the air in the mouth, simultaneously with and affecting the sound made by the closure of the organs in uttering p, t, or k, at the end of a syllable (see Guide to Pronunciation, §§159, 189); also, a similar compression made by an upward thrust of the larynx without any accompanying explosive action, as in the peculiar sound of b, d, and g, heard in Southern Germany. H. Sweet.

IMPLOSIVE Im*plo"sive, a. (Phon.)

Defn: Formed by implosion. -- n.

Defn: An implosive sound, an implodent. -- Im*plo"sive*ly, adv. H. Sweet.

IMPLUMED Im*plumed", a.

Defn: Not plumed; without plumes or feathers; featherless. [R.] Drayton.

IMPLUNGE Im*plunge", v. t.

Defn: To plunge. Fuller.

IMPLUVIUM Im*plu"vi*um, n. Etym: [L., fr. impluere to rain into; pref. im- in + pluere to rain.] (Arch.)

Defn: In Roman dwellings, a cistern or tank, set in the atrium or peristyle to recieve the water from the roof, by means of the compluvium; generally made ornamental with flowers and works of art around its birm.

IMPLY Im*ply", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Implied; p. pr. & vb. n. Implying.] Etym: [From the same source as employ. See Employ, Ply, and cf. Implicate, Apply.]

1. To infold or involve; to wrap up. [Obs.] "His head in curls implied." Chapman.

2. To involve in substance or essence, or by fair inference, or by construction of law, when not include virtually; as, war implies fighting. Where a mulicious act is proved, a mulicious intention is implied. Bp. Sherlock. When a man employs a laborer to work for him, . . . the act of hiring implies an obligation and a promise that he shall pay him a reasonable reward for his services. Blackstone.

3. To refer, ascribe, or attribute. [Obs.] Whence might this distaste arise If [from] neither your perverse and peevish will. To which I most imply it. J. Webster.

Syn. -- To involve; include; comprise; import; mean; denote; signify; betoken. See Involve.

IMPOISON Im*poi"son, v. t. Etym: [Cf. Empoison.]

Defn: To poison; to imbitter; to impair.

IMPOISONER Im*poi"son*er, n.

Defn: A poisoner. [Obs.] Beau. & Fi.

IMPOISONMENT Im*poi"son*ment, n. Etym: [Cf. Empoisonment.]

Defn: The act of poisoning or impoisoning. [Obs.] Pope.

IMPOLARILY; IMPOLARLY Im*po"lar*i*ly, Im*po"lar*ly, adv.

Defn: Not according to or in, the direction of the poles. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

IMPOLICY Im*pol"i*cy, n.

Defn: The quality of being impolitic; inexpedience; unsuitableness to the end proposed; bads policy; as, the impolicy of fraud. Bp. Horsley.

IMPOLITE Im`po*lite", a. Etym: [L. impolitus unpolishied, pref. im- not + politus, p. p. of polire to polish, refine. See Polite.]

Defn: Not polite; not of polished manners; wanting in good manners; discourteous; uncivil; rude. -- Im`po*lite"ly, adv. -- Im`po*lite"ness, n.

IMPOLITIC Im*pol"i*tic, a. Etym: [Pref. im- not + politic; cf. F. impolitique.]

Defn: Not politic; contrary to, or wanting in, policy; unwise; imprudent; indiscreet; inexpedient; as, an impolitic ruler, law, or measure. The most unjust and impolitic of all things, unequal taxation. Burke.

Syn. -- Indiscreet; inexpedient; undiplomatic.

IMPOLITICAL Im`po*lit"i*cal, a.

Defn: Impolitic. [Obs.] -- Im`po*lit"i*cal*ly, adv. [Obs.] Bacon.

IMPOLITICLY Im*pol"i*tic*ly, adv.

Defn: In an impolitic manner.

IMPOLITICNESS Im*pol"i*tic*ness, n.

Defn: The quality of being impolitic.

IMPONDERABILITY Im*pon`der*a*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. impondérabilité.]

Defn: The quality or state of being imponderable; imponderableness.

IMPONDERABLE Im*pon"der*a*ble, a. Etym: [Pref. im- not + ponderable: cf. F. impondérable.]

Defn: Not ponderable; without sensible or appreciable weight; incapable of being weighed.

IMPONDERABLE Im*pon"der*a*ble, n. (Physics)

Defn: An imponderable substance or body; specifically, in the plural, a name formely applied to heat, light, electricity, and magnetism, regarded as subtile flyids destitute of weight but in modern science little used.

IMPONDERABLENESS Im*pon"der*a*ble*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being imponderable.

IMPONDEROUS Im*pon"der*ous, a.

Defn: Imponderable. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne. -- Im*pon"der*ous*ness, n. [Obs.]

IMPONE Im*pone", v. t. Etym: [L. imponere, impositum, to place upon; pref. im- in + ponere to place. See Position.]

Defn: To stake; to wager; to pledge. [Obs.] Against the which he has imponed, as I take it, six French rapiers and poniards. Shak.

IMPOOFO Im*poo"fo, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The eland. [Written also impoofoo.]

IMPOON Im*poon", n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The duykerbok.

IMPOOR Im*poor", v. t.

Defn: To impoverish. [Obs.]

IMPOROSITY Im`po*ros"i*ty, n. Etym: [Perf. im- not + porosity: cf. F. imporosité.]

Defn: The state or quality of being imporous; want of porosity; compactness. "The . . . imporosity betwixt the tangible parts." Bacon.

IMPOROUS Im*por"ous, a.

Defn: Destitute of pores; very close or compact in texture; solid. Sir T. Browne.

IMPORT Im*port", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imported; p. pr. & vb. n. Importing.] Etym: [L. importare to bring in, to occasion, to cause; pref. im- in + portare to bear. Sense 3 comes through F. importer, from the Latin. See Port demeanor.]

1. To bring in from abroad; to introduce from without; especially, to bring (wares or merchandise) into a place or country from a foreign country, in the transactions of commerce; -- opposed to export. We import teas from China, coffee from Brasil, etc.

2. To carry or include, as meaning or intention; to imply; to signify. Every petition . . . doth . . . always import a multitude of speakers together. Hooker.

3. To be of importance or consequence to; to have a bearing on; to concern. I have a motion much imports your good. Shak. If I endure it, what imports it you Dryden.

Syn. -- To denote; mean; sighify; imply; indicate; betoken; interest; concern.

IMPORT Im*port", v. i.

Defn: To signify; to purport; to be of moment. "For that . . . importeth to the work." Bacon.

IMPORT Im"port, n.

1. Merchandise imported, or brought into a country from without its boundaries; -- generally in the plural, opposed to exports. I take the imports from, and not the exports to, these conquests, as the measure of these advantages which we derived from them. Burke.

2. That which a word, phrase, or document contains as its signification or intention or interpretation of a word, action, event, and the like.

3. Importance; weight; consequence. Most serious design, and the great import. Shak.

IMPORTABLE Im*port"a*ble, a. Etym: [Cf. F. importable. See Import.]

Defn: Capable of being imported.

IMPORTABLE Im*port"a*ble, a. Etym: [L. importabilis; pref. im- not + portabilis bearable: cf. OF. importable. See Portable.]

Defn: Not to be endured; insupportable; intolerable. [Obs.] Chaucer. -- Im*port"a*ble*ness, n. [Obs.]

IMPORTANCE Im*por"tance, n. Etym: [F. importance. See Important.]

1. The quality or state of being important; consequence; weight; moment; significance. Thy own importance know, Nor bound thy narrow views to things below. Pope.

2. Subject; matter. [Obs.] Upon importance of so slight and trivial a nature. Shak.

3. Import; meaning; significance. [Obs.] The wisest beholder could not say if the importance were joy or sorrow. Shak.

4. Importunity; solicitation. [Obs.] At our importance hither is he come. Shak.

IMPORTANCY Im*por"tan*cy, n.

Defn: Importance; significance; consequence; that which is important. [Obs.] Shak. "Careful to conceal importancies." Fuller.

IMPORTANT Im*por"tant, a. Etym: [F. important. See Import, v. t.]

1. Full of, or burdened by, import; charged with great interests; restless; anxious. [Obs.] Thou hast strength as much As serves to execute a mind very important. Chapman.

2. Carrying or possessing weight or consequence; of valuable content or bearing; significant; weighty. Things small as nothing . . . He makes important. Shak.

3. Bearing on; forcible; driving. [Obs.] He fiercely at him flew, And with important outrage him assailed. Spenser.

4. Importunate; pressing; urgent. [Obs.] Shak.

Syn. -- Weighty; momentous; significant; essential; necessary; considerable; influential; serious.

IMPORTANTLY Im*por"tant*ly, adv.

Defn: In an important manner.

IMPORTATION Im`por*ta"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. importation. See Import, v. t.]

1. The act of carrying, conveying, or delivering. [R.]

2. The act or practice of importing, or bringing into a country or state; -- opposed to exportation.

3. That which is imported; commodities or wares introduced into a country from abroad.

IMPORTER Im*port"er, n.

Defn: One who imports; the merchant who brings goods into a country or state; -- opposed to exporter.

IMPORTING Im*port"ing, a.

Defn: Full of meaning. [Obs.] Shak.

IMPORTLESS Im*port"less, a.

Defn: Void of meaning. [Obs.] Shak.

IMPORTUNABLE Im*por"tu*na*ble, a.

Defn: Heavy; insupportable. [Obs.] Sir T. More.

IMPORTUNACY Im*por"tu*na*cy, n. Etym: [From Importunate.]

Defn: The quality of being importunate; importunateness.

IMPORTUNATE Im*por"tu*nate, a. Etym: [See Importune.]

1. Troublesomely urgent; unreasonably solicitous; overpressing in request or demand; urgent; teasing; as, an impotunate petitioner, curiosity. Whewell.

2. Hard to be borne; unendurable. [R.] Donne. -- Im*por"tu*nate*ly, adv. -- Im*por"tu*nate*ness, n.

IMPORTUNATOR Im*por"tu*na`tor, n.

Defn: One who importunes; an importuner. [Obs.] Sir E. Sandys.

IMPORTUNE Im`por*tune", a. Etym: [F. importun, L. importunus; pref. im- not + a derivative from the root of portus harbor, importunus therefore orig. meaning, hard of access. See Port harbor, and cf. Importunate.]

1. Inopportune; unseasonable. [Obs.]

2. Troublesome; vexatious; persistent; urgent; hence, vexatious on account of untimely urgency or perinacious solicitation. [Obs.] And their importune fates all satisfied. Spenser. Of all other affections it [envy] is the most importune and continual. Bacon.

IMPORTUNE Im`por*tune", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Importuned; p. pr. & vb. n. Importuning.] Etym: [From Importune, a.: cf. F. importuner.]

1. To request or solicit, with urgency; to press with frequent, unreasonable, or troublesome application or pertinacity; hence, to tease; to irritate; to worry. Their ministers and residents here have perpetually importuned the court with unreasonable demands. Swift.

2. To import; to signify. [Obs.] "It importunes death." Spenser.

IMPORTUNE Im`por*tune", v. i.

Defn: To require; to demand. [Obs.] We shall write to you, As time and our concernings shall importune. Shak.

IMPORTUNELY Im`por*tune"ly, adv.

Defn: In an importune manner. [Obs.]

IMPORTUNER Im`por*tun"er, n.

Defn: One who importunes.

IMPORTUNITY Im`por*tu"ni*ty, n.; pl. Importunities. Etym: [L. importunitas unsuitableness, rudeness: cf. F. importunité.]

Defn: The quality of being importunate; pressing or pertinacious solicitation; urgent request; incessant or frequent application; troublesome pertinacity. O'ercome with importunity and tears. Milton.

IMPORTUOUS Im*por"tu*ous, a. Etym: [L. importuosus; pref.im- not + portuosus abounding in harbors, fr. portus harbor.]

Defn: Without a port or harbor. [R.]

IMPOSABLE Im*pos"a*ble, a. Etym: [Cf. F. imposable.]

Defn: Capable of being imposed or laid on. Hammond.

IMPOSABLENESS Im*pos"a*ble*ness, n.

Defn: Quality of being imposable.

IMPOSE Im*pose", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imposed; p. pr. & vb. n. Imposing.] Etym: [F. imposer; pref. im- in + poser to place. See Pose, v. t.]

1. To lay on; to set or place; to put; to deposit. Cakes of salt and barley [she] did impose Within a wicker basket. Chapman.

2. To lay as a charge, burden, tax, duty, obligation, command, penalty, etc.; to enjoin; to levy; to inflict; as, to impose a toll or tribute. What fates impose, that men must needs abide. Shak. Death is the penalty imposed. Milton. Thou on the deep imposest nobler laws. Waller.

3. (Eccl.)

Defn: To lay on, as the hands, in the religious rites of confirmation and ordination.

4. (Print.)

Defn: To arrange in proper order on a table of stone or metal and lock up in a chase for printing; -- said of columns or pages of type, forms, etc.

IMPOSE Im*pose", v. i.

Defn: To practice trick or deception. To impose on or upon, to pass or put a trick on; to delude. "He imposes on himself, and mistakes words for things." Locke.

IMPOSE Im*pose", n.

Defn: A command; injunction. [Obs.] Shak.

IMPOSEMENT Im*pose"ment, n.

Defn: Imposition. [Obs.]

IMPOSER Im*pos"er, n.

Defn: One who imposes. The imposers of these oaths might repent. Walton.

IMPOSING Im*pos"ing, a.

1. Laying as a duty; enjoining.

2. Adapted to impress forcibly; impressive; commanding; as, an imposing air; an imposing spectacle. "Large and imposing edifices." Bp. Hobart.

3. Deceiving; deluding; misleading.

IMPOSING Im*pos"ing, n. (Print.)

Defn: The act of imposing the columns of a page, or the pages of a sheet. See Impose, v. t., 4. Imposing stone (Print.), the stone on which the pages or columns of types are imposed or made into forms; - - called also imposing table.

IMPOSINGLY Im*pos"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: In an imposing manner.

IMPOSINGNESS Im*pos"ing*ness, n.

Defn: The quality of being imposing.

IMPOSITION Im`po*si"tion, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. impositio the application of a name to a thing. See Impone.]

1. The act of imposing, laying on, affixing, enjoining, inflicting, obtruding, and the like. "From imposition of strict laws." Milton. Made more solemn by the imposition of hands. Hammond.

2. That which is imposed, levied, or enjoined; charge; burden; injunction; tax.

3. (Eng. Univ.)

Defn: An extra exercise enjoined on students as a punishment. T. Warton.

4. An excessive, arbitrary, or unlawful exaction; hence, a trick or deception put on laid on others; cheating; fraud; delusion; imposture. Reputation is an idle and most false imposition. Shak.

5. (Eccl.)

Defn: The act of laying on the hands as a religious ceremoy, in ordination, confirmation, etc.

6. (Print.)

Defn: The act or process of imosing pages or columns of type. See Impose, v. t., 4.

Syn. -- Deceit; fraud; imposture. See Deception.

IMPOSSIBILITY Im*pos`si*bil"i*ty, n.; pl. Impossibilities. Etym: [L. impossibilitas: cf. F. impossibilité.]

1. The quality of being impossible; impracticability. They confound difficulty with impossibility. South.

2. An impossible thing; that which can not be thought, done, or endured. Impossibilities! O, no, there's none. Cowley.

3. Inability; helplessness. [R.] Latimer. Logical impossibility, a condition or statement involving contradiction or absurdity; as, that a thing can be and not be at the same time. See Principle of Contradiction, under Contradiction.

IMPOSSIBLE Im*pos"si*ble, a. Etym: [F., fr. L. impossibilis; pref. im- not + possibilis possible. See Possible.]

Defn: Not possible; incapable of being done, of existing, etc.; unattainable in the nature of things, or by means at command; insuperably difficult under the circumstances; absurd or impracticable; not feasible. With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Matt. xix. 26. Without faith it is impossible to please him. Heb. xi. 6. Impossible quantity (Math.), an imagnary quantity. See Imaginary.

Syn. -- See Impracticable.

IMPOSSIBLE Im*pos"si*ble, n.

Defn: An impossibility. [Obs.] "Madam," quoth he, "this were an impossible!" Chaucer.

IMPOSSIBLY Im*pos"si*bly, adv.

Defn: Not possibly. Sir. T. North.

IMPOST Im"post, n. Etym: [OF. impost, F. impot, LL. impostus, fr. L. impostus, p. p. of imponere to impose. See Impone.]

1. That which is imposed or levied; a tax, tribute, or duty; especially, a duty or tax laid by goverment on goods imported into a country. Even the ship money . . . Johnson could not pronounce to have been an unconstitutional impost. Macaulay.

2. (Arch.)

Defn: The top member of a pillar, pier, wall, etc., upon which the weight of an arch rests.

Note: The impost is called continuous, if the moldings of the arch or architrave run down the jamb or pier without a break.

Syn. -- Tribute; excise; custom; duty; tax.

IMPOSTHUMATE Im*post"hu*mate, v. t. Etym: [See Imposthume.]

Defn: To apostemate; to form an imposthume or abscess. Arbuthnot.

IMPOSTHUMATE Im*post"hu*mate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imposthumated; p. pr. & vb. n. Imposthumating.]

Defn: To affect with an imposthume or abscess.

IMPOSTHUMATE Im*post"hu*mate, a.

Defn: Imposthumated.

IMPOSTHUMATION Im*post`hu*ma"tion, n.

1. The act of forming an abscess; state of being inflamed; suppuration.

2. An abscess; an imposthume. Coxe.

IMPOSTHUME Im*post"hume, n. Etym: [A corruption of aposteme. See Aposteme.]

Defn: A collection of pus or purulent matter in any part of an animal body; an abscess.

IMPOSTHUME Im*post"hume, v. t. & i.

Defn: Same as Imposthumate.

IMPOSTOR Im*pos"tor, n. Etym: [L. impostor a deceiver, fr. imponere to impose upon, deceive. See Impone.]

Defn: One who imposes upon others; a person who assumes a character or title not his own, for the purpose of deception; a pretender. "The fraudulent impostor foul." Milton.

Syn. -- Deceiver; cheat; rogue. See Deceiver.

IMPOSTORSHIP Im*pos"tor*ship, n.

Defn: The condition, character, or practice of an impostor. Milton.

IMPOSTRESS; IMPOSTRIX Im*pos"tress, Im*pos"trix, n. Etym: [LL. impostrix. See Impostor.]

Defn: A woman who imposes upon or deceives others. [R.] Fuller.

IMPOSTROUS Im*pos"trous, n.

Defn: Characterized by imposture; deceitful. "Impostrous pretense of knowledge." Grote.

IMPOSTURAGE Im*pos"tur*age, n.

Defn: Imposture; cheating. [R.] Jer. Taylor.

IMPOSTURE Im*pos"ture, n. Etym: [L. impostura: cf. F. imposture. See Impone.]

Defn: The act or conduct of an impostor; deception practiced under a false or assumed character; fraud or imposition; cheating. From new legends And fill the world with follies and impostures. Johnson.

Syn. -- Cheat; fraud; trick; imposition; delusion.

IMPOSTURED Im*pos"tured, a.

Defn: Done by imposture. [Obs.]

IMPOSTUROUS Im*pos"tur*ous, a.

Defn: Impostrous; deceitful. Strictness fales and impostrous. Beau. & Fl.

IMPOSTURY Im*pos"tur*y, n.

Defn: Imposture. [Obs.] Fuller.

IMPOTENCE; IMPOTENCY Im"po*tence, Im"po*ten*cy, n. Etym: [L. impotenia inability, poverty, want of moderation. See Impotent.]

1. The quality or condition of being impotent; want of strength or power, animal, intellectual, or moral; weakness; feebleness; inability; imbecility. Some were poor by impotency of nature; as young fatherless children, old decrepit persons, idiots, and cripples. Hayward. O, impotence of mind in body strong! Milton.

2. Want of self-restraint or self-control. [R.] Milton.

3. (Law & Med.)

Defn: Want of procreative power; inability to copulate, or beget children; also, sometimes, sterility; barrenness.

IMPOTENT Im"po*tent, a. Etym: [F. impotent, L. impotens, -entis; pref. im- not + potens potent, powerful. See Potent.]

1. Not potent; wanting power, strength. or vigor. whether physical, intellectual, or moral; deficient in capacity; destitute of force; weak; feeble; infirm. There sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent inhis feet. Acts xiv. 8. O most lame and impotent conclusion! Shak. Not slow to hear, Nor impotent to save. Addison.

2. Wanting the power of self-restraint; incontrolled; ungovernable; violent. Impotent of tongue, her silence broke. Dryden.

3. (Med.)

Defn: Wanting the power of procreation; unable to copulate; also, sometimes, sterile; barren.

IMPOTENT Im"po*tent, n.

Defn: One who is imoitent. [R.] Shak.

IMPOTENTLY Im"po*tent*ly, adv.

Defn: In an impotent manner.

IMPOUND Im*pound" (, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impounded; p. pr. & vb. n. Impounding.]

Defn: To shut up or place in an inclosure called a pound; hence, to hold in the custody of a court; as, to impound stray cattle; to impound a document for safe keeping. But taken and impounded as a stray, The king of Scots. Shak.

IMPOUNDAGE Im*pound"age, n.

1. The act of impounding, or the state of being impounded.

2. The fee or fine for impounding.

IMPOUNDER Im*pound"er, n.

Defn: One who impounds.

IMPOVERISH Im*pov"er*ish, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impoverished; p. pr. & vb. n. Impoverishing.] Etym: [OF. empovrir; pref. em- (L. in) + povre poor, F. pauvre; cf. OF. apovrir, F. appauvrir, where the prefix is a-, L. ad. Cf. Empoverish, and see Poor, and -ish.]

1. To make poor; to reduce to poverty or indigence; as, misfortune and disease impoverish families.

2. To exhaust the strength, richness, or fertility of; to make sterile; as, to impoverish land.

IMPOVERISHER Im*pov"er*ish*er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, impoverishes.

IMPOVERISHMENT Im*pov"er*ish*ment, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. empoverissement, and F. appauvrissement.]

Defn: The act of impoverishing, or the state of being impoverished; reduction to poverty. Sir W. Scott.

IMPOWER Im*pow"er, v. t.

Defn: See Empower.

IMP-POLE Imp"-pole` (, n. (Building)

Defn: A pole for supporting a scaffold.

IMPRACTICABILITY Im*prac`ti*ca*bil"i*ty, n.; pl. Impracticabilities (.

1. The state or quality of being impracticable; infeasibility. Goldsmith.

2. An impracticable thing.

3. Intractableness; stubbornness.

IMPRACTICABLE Im*prac"ti*ca*ble, a.

1. Not practicable; incapable of being performed, or accomplished by the means employed, or at command; impossible; as, an impracticable undertaking.

2. Not to be overcome, presuaded, or controlled by any reasonable method; unmanageable; intractable; not capable of being easily dealt with; -- used in a general sense, as applied to a person or thing that is difficult to control or get along with. This though, impracticable heart Is governed by a dainty-fingered girl. Rowe. Patriotic butloyal men went away disguested afresh with the impracticable arrogance of a sovereign. Palfrey.

3. Incapable of being used or availed of; as, an impracticable road; an impracticable method.

Syn. -- Impossible; infeasible. -- Impracticable, Impossible. A thing is impracticable when it can not be accomplished by any human means at present possessed; a thing is impossible when the laws of nature forbid it. The navigation of a river may now be impracticable, but not impossible, because the existing obstructions may yet be removed. "The barons exercised the most despotic authority over their vassals, and every scheme of public utility was rendered impracticable by their continued petty wars with each other." Mickle. "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matt. xix. 26.

IMPRACTICABLENESS Im*prac"ti*ca*ble*ness, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being impracticable; impracticability.

IMPRACTICABLY Im*prac"ti*ca*bly, adv.

Defn: In an impracticable manner. Morality not impracticably rigid. Johnson.

IMPRACTICAL Im*prac"ti*cal, a.

Defn: Not practical.

IMPRECATE Im"pre*cate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imprecated; p. pr. & vb. n. Imprecating.] Etym: [L. imprecatus, p. p. of imprecari to imprecate; pref. im- in, on + precari to pray. See Pray.]

1. To call down by prayer, as something hurtful or calamitous. Imprecate the vengeance of Heaven on the guilty empire. Mickle.

2. To invoke evil upon; to curse; to swear at. In vain we blast the ministers of Fate, And the forlorn physicians imprecate. Rochester.

IMPRECATION Im`pre*ca"tion, n. Etym: [L. imprecatio: cf. F. imprécation.]

Defn: The act of imprecating, or unvoking evil upon any one; a player that a curse or calamnity may fall on any one; a curse. Men cowered like slaves before such horrid imprecations. Motley.

Syn. -- Malediction; curse; execration; anathema. See Malediction.

IMPRECATORY Im"pre*ca*to*ry, a.

Defn: Of the nature of, or containing, imprecation; invokingevil; as, the imprecatory psalms.

IMPRECISION Im`pre*ci"sion, n.

Defn: Want of precision. [R.]

IMPREGN Im*pregn", v. t. Etym: [Cf. F. impregner. See Impregnate.]

Defn: To impregnate; to make fruitful. [Obs.] His perniciousss words, impregned With reason. Milton. Semele doth Bacchus bear Impregned of Jove. Dr. H. More.

IMPREGNABILITY Im*preg`na*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being impregnable; invincibility.

IMPREGNABLE Im*preg"na*ble, a. Etym: [F. imprenable; pref. im- not + prenable pregnable, fr. prendre to take, L. prehendere. See Comprehend, Get to obtain.]

Defn: Not to be stormed, or taken by assault; incapable of being subdued; able to resist attack; unconquerable; as, an impregnable fortress; impregnable virtue. The man's affection remains wholly unconcerned and impregnable. South. -- Im*preg"na*ble*ness, n. -- Im*preg"na*bly, adv.

IMPREGNABLE Im*preg"na*ble, a. Etym: [See Impregnate.] (Biol.)

Defn: Capable of being impregnated, as the egg of an animal, or the ovule of a plant.

IMPREGNANT Im*preg"nant, n. Etym: [See Impregnate.]

Defn: That which impregnates. [R.] Glanvill.

IMPREGNANT Im*preg"nant, a. Etym: [Pref. im- not + pregnant.]

Defn: Not pregnant; unfertilized or infertile. [R.]

IMPREGNATE Im*preg"nate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impregnated; p. pr. & vb. n. Impregnating.] Etym: [LL. impraegnatus, p. p. of impraegnare to impregnate, fr. L. pref. im- in + praegnans pregnant. See Pregnant.]

1. To make pregnant; to cause to conceive; to render prolific; to get with child or young.

2. (Biol.)

Defn: To come into contact with (an ovum or egg) so as to cause impregnation; to fertilize; to fecundate.

3. To infuse an active principle into; to render frutful or fertile in any way; to fertilize; to imbue.

4. To infuse particles of another substance into; to communicate the quality of another to; to cause to be filled, imbued, mixed, or furnished (with something); as, to impregnate India rubber with sulphur; clothing impregnated with contagion; rock impregnated with ore.

IMPREGNATE Im*preg"nate, v. i.

Defn: To become pregnant. Addison.

IMPREGNATE Im*preg"nate, a. Etym: [LL. impraegnatus, p. p.]

Defn: Impregnated; made prolific. The scorching ray Here pierceth not, impregnate with disease. Byron.

IMPREGNATION Im`preg*na"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. imprégnation, LL. impraegnatio.]

1. The act of impregnating or the state of being impregnated; fecundation.

2. (Biol.)

Defn: The fusion of a female germ cell (ovum) with a male germ cell (in animals, a spermatozoön) to form a single new cell endowed with the power of developing into a new individual; fertilization; fecundation.

Note: In the broadest biological sense, impregnation, or sexual generation, consists simply in the coalescence of two similar masses of protoplasmic matter, either derived from different parts of the same organism or from two distinct organisms. From the single mass, which results from the fusion, or coalescence, of these two masses, a new organism develops.

3. That with which anything is impregnated. Derham.

4. Intimate mixture; influsion; saturation.

5. (Mining)

Defn: An ore deposit, with indefinite boundaries, consisting of rock impregnated with ore. Raymond.

IMPREJUDICATE Im`pre*ju"di*cate, a.

Defn: Not prejuged; unprejudiced; impartial. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

IMPRENABLE Im*pre"na*ble, a.

Defn: Impregnable. [Obs.]

IMPREPARATION Im*prep`a*ra"tion, n.

Defn: Want of preparation. [Obs.] Hooker.

IMPRESA Im*pre"sa, n. Etym: [It. See Emprise, and cf. Impress, n., 4.] (Her.)

Defn: A device on a shield or seal, or used as a bookplate or the like. [Written also imprese and impress.] My impresa to your lordship; a swain Flying to a laurel for shelter. J. Webster.

IMPRESARIO Im`pre*sa"ri*o, n.; pl. Impresarios. Etym: [It., from impresa enterprise.]

Defn: The projector, manager, or conductor, of an opera or concert company.

IMPRESCRIPTIBILITY Im`pre*scrip`ti*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. imprescriptibilité.]

Defn: The quality of being imprescriptible.

IMPRESCRIPTIBLE Im`pre*scrip"ti*ble, a. Etym: [Pref. im- not + prescriptible: cf. F. imprescriptible.]

1. Not capable of being lost or impaired by neglect, by disuse, or by the claims of another founded on prescription. The right of navigation, fishing, and others that may be exercised on the sea, belonging to the right of mere ability, are imprescriptible. Vattel (Trans. )

2. Not derived from, or dependent on, external authority; self- evidencing; obvious. The imprescriptible laws of the pure reason. Colerridge.

IMPRESCRIPTIBLY Im`pre*scrip"ti*bly, adv.

Defn: In an imprescriptible manner; obviously.

IMPRESE Im*prese", n.

Defn: A device. See Impresa. An imprese, as the Italians call it, is a device in picture with his motto or word, borne by noble or learned personages. Camden.

IMPRESS Im*press", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impressed; p. pr. & vb. n. Impressing.] Etym: [L. impressus, p. p. of imprimere to impress; pref. im- in, on + premere to press. See Press to squeeze, and cf. Imprint.]

1. To press, stamp, or print something in or upon; to mark by pressure, or as by pressure; to imprint (that which bears the impression). His heart, like an agate, with your print impressed. Shak.

2. To produce by pressure, as a mark, stamp, image, etc.; to imprint (a mark or figure upon something).

3. Fig.: To fix deeply in the mind; to present forcibly to the attention, etc.; to imprint; to inculcate. Impress the motives of persuasion upon our own hearts till we feel the force of them. I. Watts.

4. Etym: [See Imprest, Impress, n., 5.]

Defn: To take by force for public service; as, to impress sailors or money. The second five thousand pounds impressed for the service of the sick and wounded prisoners. Evelyn.

IMPRESS Im*press", v. i.

Defn: To be impressed; to rest. [Obs.] Such fiendly thoughts in his heart impress. Chaucer.

IMPRESS Im"press, n.; pl. Impresses (.

1. The act of impressing or making.

2. A mark made by pressure; an indentation; imprint; the image or figure of anything, formed by pressure or as if by pressure; result produced by pressure or influence. The impresses of the insides of these shells. Woodward. This weak impress of love is as a figure Trenched in ice. Shak.

3. Characteristic; mark of distinction; stamp. South.

4. A device. See Impresa. Cussans. To describe . . . emblazoned shields, Impresses quaint. Milton.

5. Etym: [See Imprest, Press to force into service.]

Defn: The act of impressing, or taking by force for the public service; compulsion to serve; also, that which is impressed. Why such impress of shipwrights Shak. Impress gang, a party of men, with an officer, employed to impress seamen for ships of war; a press gang. -- Impress money, a sum of money paid, immediately upon their entering service, to men who have been impressed.

IMPRESSIBILITY Im*press`i*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality of being impressible; susceptibility.

IMPRESSIBLE Im*press"i*ble, a. Etym: [Cf. F. impressible.]

Defn: Capable of being impressed; susceptible; sensitive. -- Im*press"i*ble*ness, n. -- Im*press"i*bly, adv.

IMPRESSION Im*pres"sion, n. Etym: [F. impression, L. impressio.]

1. The act of impressing, or the state of being impressed; the communication of a stamp, mold, style, or character, by external force or by influence.

2. That which is impressed; stamp; mark; indentation; sensible result of an influence exerted from without. The stamp and clear impression of good sense. Cowper. To shelter us from impressions of weather, we must spin, we must weave, we must build. Barrow.

3. That which impresses, or exercises an effect, action, or agency; appearance; phenomenon. [Obs.] Portentous blaze of comets and impressions in the air. Milton. A fiery impression falling from out of Heaven. Holland.

4. Influence or effect on the senses or the intellect hence, interest, concern. Reid. His words impression left. Milton. Such terrible impression made the dream. Shak. I have a father's dear impression, And wish, before I fall into my grave, That I might see her married. Ford.

5. An indistinct notion, remembrance, or belief.

6. Impressiveness; emphasis of delivery. Which must be read with an impression. Milton.

7. (Print.)

Defn: The pressure of the type on the paper, or the result of such pressure, as regards its appearance; as, a heavy impression; a clear, or a poor, impression; also, a single copy as the result of printing, or the whole edition printed at a given time. Ten impressions which his books have had. Dryden.

8. In painting, the first coat of color, as the priming in house painting and the like. [R.]

9. (Engraving)

Defn: A print on paper from a wood block, metal plate, or the like. Proof impression, one of the early impressions taken from an engraving, before the plate or block is worn.

IMPRESSIONABILITY Im*pres`sion*a*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality of being impressionable.

IMPRESSIONABLE Im*pres"sion*a*ble, a. Etym: [Cf. F. impressionnable.]

Defn: Liable or subject to impression; capable of being molded; susceptible; impressible. He was too impressionable; he had too much of the temperament of genius. Motley. A pretty face and an impressionable disposition. T. Hook.

IMPRESSIONABLENESS Im*pres"sion*a*ble*ness, n.

Defn: The quality of being impressionable.

IMPRESSIONISM Im*pres"sion*ism, n. Etym: [F. impressionnisme.] (Fine Arts)

Defn: The theory or method of suggesting an effect or impression without elaboration of the details; -- a disignation of a recent fashion in painting and etching.

IMPRESSIONIST Im*pres"sion*ist, n. Etym: [F. impressionniste.] (Fine Arts)

Defn: One who adheres to the theory or method of impressionism, so called.

IMPRESSIONISTIC Im*pres`sion*is"tic, a.

Defn: Pertaining to, or characterized by, impressionism.

IMPRESSIONLESS Im*pres"sion*less, a.

Defn: Having the quality of not being impressed or affected; not susceptible.

IMPRESSIVE Im*press"ive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. impressif.]

1. Making, or tending to make, an impression; having power to impress; adapted to excite attention and feeling, to touch the sensibilities, or affect the conscience; as, an impressive discourse; an impressive scene.

2. Capable of being impressed. [Obs.] Drayton. - Im*press"ive*ly, adv. -- Im*press"ive*ness, n.

IMPRESSMENT Im*press"ment, n.

Defn: The act of seizing for public use, or of impressing into public service; compulsion to serve; as, the impressment of provisions or of sailors. The great scandal of our naval service -- impressment -- died a protracted death. J. H. Burton.

IMPRESSOR Im*press"or, n. Etym: [LL., a printer.]

Defn: One who, or that which, impresses. Boyle.

IMPRESSURE Im*pres"sure, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. impressure, LL. impressura.]

Defn: Dent; impression. [Obs.] Shak.

IMPREST Im*prest" (, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Imprested; p. pr. & vb. n. Impresting.] Etym: [Pref. im- + prest: cf. It. imprestare. See Prest, n.]

Defn: To advance on loan. Burke.

IMPREST Im"prest, n. Etym: [Cf. It. impresto, imprestito, LL. impraestitum. See Imprest, v. t., and Impress compulsion to serve.]

Defn: A kind of earnest money; loan; -- specifically, money advanced for some public service, as in enlistment. Burke. The clearing of their imprests for what little of their debts they have received. Pepys.

IMPREVALENCE; IMPREVALENCY Im*prev"a*lence, Im*prev"a*len*cy, n.

Defn: Want of prevalence. [Obs.]

IMPREVENTABILITY Im`pre*vent`a*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being impreventable. [R.]

IMPREVENTABLE Im`pre*vent"a*ble, a.

Defn: Not preventable; invitable.

IMPRIMATUR Im`pri*ma"tur, n. Etym: [L., let it be printed.] (Law)

Defn: A license to print or publish a book, paper, etc.; also, in countries subjected to the censorship of the press, approval of that which is published.

IMPRIMERY Im*prim"er*y, n. Etym: [F. imprimerie, fr. imprimer to imprint.] [Obs.] (a) A print; impression. (b) A printing establishment. (c) The art of printing.

IMPRIMING Im*prim"ing, n.

Defn: A begining. [Obs.] "Their springings and imprimings." Sir H. Wotton.

IMPRIMIS Im*pri"mis, adv. Etym: [L., for in primis among the first, chiefly; in in + primus first.]

Defn: In the first place; first in order.

IMPRINT Im*print", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imptrinted; p. pr. & vb. n. Imprinting.] Etym: [OE. emprenten, F. empreint, p. p. of empreindre to imprint, fr. L. imprimere to impres, imprint. See 1st In-, Print, and cf. Impress.]

1. To impress; to mark by pressure; to indent; to stamp. And sees his num'rous herds imprint her sands. Prior.

2. To stamp or mark, as letters on paper, by means of type, plates, stamps, or the like; to print the mark (figures, letters, etc., upon something). Nature imprints upon whate'er we see, That has a heart and life in it, "Be free." Cowper.

3. To fix indelibly or permanently, as in the mind or memory; to impress. Ideas of those two different things distinctly imprinted on his mind. Locke.

IMPRINT Im"print, n. Etym: [Cf. F. empreinte impress, stamp. See Imprint, v. t.]

Defn: Whatever is impressed or imprinted; the impress or mark left by something; specifically, the name of the printer or publisher (usually) with the time and place of issue, in the title-page of a book, or on any printed sheet. "That imprint of their hands." Buckle.

IMPRISON Im*pris"on, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imprisoned; p. pr. & vb. n. Imprisoning.] Etym: [OE. enprisonen, OF. enprisoner, F. emprisonner; pref. en- (L. in) + F. & OF. prison. See Prison.]

1. To put in prison or jail; To arrest and detain in custody; to confine. He imprisoned was in chains remediles. Spenser.

2. To limit, restrain, or confine in any way. Try to imprison the resistless wind. Dryden.

Syn. -- To incarcerate; confine; immure.

IMPRISONER Im*pris"on*er, n.

Defn: One who imprisons.

IMPRISONMENT Im*pris"on ment, n. Etym: [OE. enprisonment; F. emprisonnement.]

Defn: The act of imprisoning, or the state of being imprisoned; confinement; restraint. His sinews waxen weak and raw Through long imprisonment and hard constraint. Spenser. Every confinement of the person is an imprisonment, whether it be in a common prison, or in a private house, or even by foreibly detaining one in the public streets. Blackstone. False imprisonment. (Law) See under False.

Syn. -- Incarceration; custody; confinement; durance; restraint.

IMPROBABILITY Im*prob`a*bil"i*ty, n.; pl. Improbabilities. Etym: [Cf. F. improbabilité.]

Defn: The quality or state of being improbable; unlikelihood; also, that which is improbable; an improbable event or result.

IMPROBABLE Im*prob"a*ble, a. Etym: [L. improbabilis; pref. im- not + probabilis probable: cf. F. improbable. See Probable.]

Defn: Not probable; unlikely to be true; not to be expected under the circumstances or in the usual course of events; as, an improbable story or event. He . . . sent to Elutherius, then bishop of Rome, an improbable letter, as some of the contents discover. Milton. -- Im*prob"a*ble*ness, n. -- Im*prob"a*bly, adv.

IMPROBATE Im"pro*bate, v. t. Etym: [L. improbatus, p. p. of improbare to disapprove; pref. im- not + probare to approve.]

Defn: To disapprove of; to disallow. [Obs.]

IMPROBATION Im`pro*ba"tion, n. Etym: [L. improbatio.]

1. The act of disapproving; disapprobation.

2. (Scots Law)

Defn: The act by which falsehood and forgery are proved; an action brought for the purpose of having some instrument declared false or forged. Bell.

IMPROBATIVE; IMPROBATORY Im"pro*ba*tive, Im"pro*ba`to*ry, a.

Defn: Implying, or tending to, improbation.

IMPROBITY Im*prob"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. improbitas; pref. im- not + probitas probity: cf. F. improbité.]

Defn: Lack of probity; want of integrity or rectitude; dishonesty. Persons . . . cast out for notorious improbity. Hooker.

IMPROFICIENCE; IMPROFICIENCY Im`pro*fi"cience, Im`pro*fi"cien*cy, n.

Defn: Want of proficiency. [R.] Bacon.

IMPROFITABLE Im*prof"it*a*ble, a. Etym: [Pref. im- not + profitable: cf. F. improfitable.]

Defn: Unprofitable. [Obs.]

IMPROGRESSIVE Im`pro*gress"ive, a.

Defn: Not progressive. De Quincey. -- Im"pro*gress"ive*ly, adv.

IMPROLIFIC Im`pro*lif"ic, a. Etym: [Pref. im- not + prolific: cf. F. improlifique.]

Defn: Not prolific. [Obs.] E. Waterhouse.

IMPROLIFICATE Im`pro*lif"ic*ate, v. t. Etym: [Pref. im- in + prolificate.]

Defn: To impregnate. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

IMPROMPT Im*prompt", a.

Defn: Not ready. [R.] Sterne.

IMPROMPTU Im*promp"tu, adv. or a. Etym: [F. impromptu, fr. L. in promptu in readiness, at hand; in in + promptus visibility, readiness, from promptus visible, ready. See Prompt.]

Defn: Offhand; without previous study; extemporaneous; extempore; as, an impromptu verse.

IMPROMPTU Im*promp"tu, n.

1. Something made or done offhand, at the moment, or without previous study; an extemporaneous composition, address, or remark.

2. (Mus.)

Defn: A piece composed or played at first thought; a composition in the style of an extempore piece.

IMPROPER Im*prop"er, a. Etym: [F. impropre, L. improprius; pref. im- not + proprius proper. See Proper.]

1. Not proper; not suitable; not fitted to the circumstances, design, or end; unfit; not becoming; incongruous; inappropriate; indecent; as, an improper medicine; improper thought, behavior, language, dress. Follow'd his enemy king, and did him service, Improper for a slave. Shak. And to their proper operation still, Ascribe all Good; to their improper, Ill. Pope.

2. Not peculiar or appropriate to individuals; general; common. [Obs.] Not to be adorned with any art but such improper ones as nature is said to bestow, as singing and poetry. J. Fletcher.

3. Not according to facts; inaccurate; erroneous. Improper diphthong. See under Diphthong. -- Improper feud, an originalfeud, not earned by military service. Mozley & W. -- Improper fraction. See under Fraction.

IMPROPER Im*prop"er, v. t.

Defn: To appropriate; to limit. [Obs.] He would in like manner improper and inclose the sunbeams to comfort the rich and not the poor. Jewel.

IMPROPERATION Im*prop`er*a"tion, n. Etym: [L. improperare, improperatum, to taunt.]

Defn: The act of upbraiding or taunting; a reproach; a taunt. [Obs.] Improperatios and terms of scurrility. Sir T. Browne

IMPROPERIA Im`pro*pe"ri*a, n. pl. Etym: [L., reproaches.] (Mus.)

Defn: A series of antiphons and responses, expressing the sorrowful remonstrance of our Lord with his people; -- sung on the morning of the Good Friday in place of the usual daily Mass of the Roman ritual. Grove.

IMPROPERLY Im*prop"er*ly, adv.

Defn: In an improper manner; not properly; unsuitably; unbecomingly.

IMPROPERTY Im*prop"er*ty, n.

Defn: Impropriety. [Obs.]

IMPROPITIOUS Im`pro*pi"tious, a.

Defn: Unpropitious; unfavorable. [Obs.] "Dreams were impropitious." Sir H. Wotton.

IMPROPORTIONABLE Im`pro*por"tion*a*ble, a.

Defn: Not proportionable. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

IMPROPORTIONATE Im`pro*por"tion*ate, a.

Defn: Not proportionate. [Obs.]

IMPROPRIATE Im*pro"pri*ate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impropriated; p. pr. & vb. n. Impropriating.] Etym: [Pref. im- in + L. propriatus, p. p. of propriare to appropriate. See Appropriate.]

1. To appropriate to one's self; to assume. [Obs.] To impropriate the thanks to himself. Bacon.

2. (Eng. Eccl. Law)

Defn: To place the profits of (ecclesiastical property) in the hands of a layman for care and disbursement.

IMPROPRIATE Im*pro"pri*ate, v. i.

Defn: To become an impropriator. [R.]

IMPROPRIATE Im*pro"pri*ate, a. (Eng. Eccl. Law)

Defn: Put into the hands of a layman; impropriated.

IMPROPRIATION Im*pro`pri*a"tion, n.

1. The act of impropriating; as, the impropriation of property or tithes; also, that which is impropriated.

2. (Eng. Eccl. Law) (a) The act of putting an ecclesiastical benefice in the hands of a layman, or lay corporation. (b) A benefice in the hands of a layman, or of a lay corporation.

IMPROPRIATOR Im*pro"pri*a`tor, n.

Defn: One who impropriates; specifically, a layman in possession of church property.

IMPROPRIATRIX Im*pro`pri*a"trix, n.; pl. E. -trixes, L. -trices (.

Defn: A female impropriator.

IMPROPRIETY Im`pro*pri"e*ty, n.; pl. Improprieties. Etym: [L. improprietas; cf. F. impropriété. See Improper.]

1. The quality of being improper; unfitness or unsuitableness to character, time place, or circumstances; as, improperiety of behavior or manners.

2. That which is improper; an unsuitable or improper act, or an inaccurate use of language. But every language has likewise its improprieties and absurdities. Johnson. Many gross improprieties, however authorized by practice, ought to be discarded. Swift.

IMPROSPERITY Im`pros*per"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. improspérité.]

Defn: Want of prosperity. [Obs.]

IMPROSPEROUS Im*pros"per*ous, a. Etym: [Pref. im- not + prosperous: cf. F. improspère, L. improsper.]

Defn: Not prosperous. [Obs.] Dryden. -- Im*pros"per*ous*ly, adv. [Obs.] -- Im*pros"per*ous*ness, n. [Obs.]

IMPROVABILITY Im*prov`a*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being improvable; improvableness.

IMPROVABLE Im*prov"a*ble, a. Etym: [From Improve.]

1. Capable of being improved; susceptible of improvement; admitting of being made better; capable of cultivation, or of being advanced in good qualities. Man is accommodated with moral principles, improvable by the exercise of his faculties. Sir M. Hale. I have a fine spread of improvable lands. Addison.

2. Capable of being used to advantage; profitable; serviceable; advantageous. The essays of weaker heads afford improvable hints to better. Sir T. Browne. -- Im*pro"a*ble*ness, n. -- Im*prov"a*bly, adv.

IMPROVE Im*prove", v. t. Etym: [Pref. im- not + prove: cf. L. improbare, F. improuver.]

1. To disprove or make void; to refute. [Obs.] Neither can any of them make so strong a reason which another can not improve. Tyndale.

2. To disapprove; to find fault with; to reprove; to censure; as, to improve negligence. [Obs.] Chapman. When he rehearsed his preachings and his doing unto the high apostles, they could improve nothing. Tyndale.

IMPROVE Im*prove", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Improved; p. pr. & vb. n. Improving.] Etym: [Pref. in- in + prove, in approve. See Approve, Prove.]

1. To make better; to increase the value or good qualities of; to ameliorate by care or cultivation; as, to improve land. Donne. I love not to improve the honor of the living by impairing that of the dead. Denham.

2. To use or employ to good purpose; to make productive; to turn to profitable account; to utilize; as, to improve one's time; to improve his means. Shak. We shall especially honor God by improving diligently the talents which God hath committed to us. Barrow. A hint that I do not remember to have seen opened and improved. Addison. The court seldom fails to improve the oppotunity. Blackstone. How doth the little busy bee Improve each shining hour. I. Watts. Those moments were diligently improved. Gibbon. True policy, as well as good faith, in my opinion, binds us to improve the occasion. Washington.

3. To advance or increase by use; to augment or add to; -- said with reference to what is bad. [R.] We all have, I fear, . . . not a little improved the wretched inheritance of our ancestors. Bp. Porteus.

Syn. -- To better; meliorate; ameliorate; advance; heighten; mend; correct; recify; amend; reform.

IMPROVE Im*prove", v. i.

1. To grow better; to advance or make progress in what is desirable; to make or show improvement; as, to improve in health. We take care to improve in our frugality and diligence. Atterbury.

2. To advance or progress in bad qualities; to grow worse. "Domitain improved in cruelty." Milner.

3. To increase; to be enhanced; to rise in value; as, the price of cotton improves. To improve on or upon, to make useful additions or amendments to, or changes in; to bring nearer to perfection; as, to improve on the mode of tillage.

IMPROVEMENT Im*prove"ment, n.

1. The act of improving; advancement or growth; promotion in desirable qualities; progress toward what is better; melioration; as, the improvement of the mind, of land, roads, etc. I look upon your city as the best place of improvement. South. Exercise is the chief source of improvement in all our faculties. Blair.

2. The act of making profitable use or applicaton of anything, or the state of being profitably employed; a turning to good account; practical application, as of a doctrine, principle, or theory, stated in a discourse. "A good improvement of his reason." S. Clarke. I shall make some improvement of this doctrine. Tillotson.

3. The state of being improved; betterment; advance; also, that which is improved; as, the new edition is an improvement on the old. The parts of Sinon, Camilla, and some few others, are improvements on the Greek poet. Addison.

4. Increase; growth; progress; advance. There is a design of publishing the history of architecture, with its several improvements and decays. Addison. Those vices which more particularly receive improvement by prosperity. South.

5. pl.

Defn: Valuable additions or betterments, as buildings, clearings, drains, fences, etc., on premises.

6. (Patent Laws)

Defn: A useful addition to, or modification of, a machine, manufacture, or composition. Kent.

IMPROVER Im*prov"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, improves.

IMPROVIDED Im`pro*vid"ed, a.

Defn: Unforeseen; unexpected; not provided against; unprepared. [Obs.] All improvided for dread of death. E. Hall.

IMPROVIDENCE Im*prov"i*dence, n. Etym: [L. improvidentia; OF. improvidence. Cf. Imprudence.]

Defn: The quality of being improvident; want of foresight or thrift. The improvidence of my neighbor must not make me inhuman. L'Estrange.

IMPROVIDENT Im*prov"i*dent, a. Etym: [Pref. im- not + provident: cf. L. improvidus. See Provident, and cf. Imprudent.]

Defn: Not provident; wanting foresight or forethought; not foreseeing or providing for the future; negligent; thoughtless; as, an improvident man. Improvident soldires! had your watch been good, This sudden mischief never could have fallen. Shak.

Syn. -- Inconsiderable; negligent; careless; shiftless; prodigal; wasteful.

IMPROVIDENTIALLY Im*prov`i*den"tial*ly, adv.

Defn: Improvidently. [R.]

IMPROVIDENTLY Im*prov"i*dent*ly, adv.

Defn: In a improvident manner. "Improvidently rash." Drayton.

IMPROVING Im*prov"ing, a.

Defn: Tending to improve, beneficial; growing better. -- Im*prov"ing*ly, adv. Improving lease (Scots Law), an extend lease to induce the tenant to make improvements on the premises.

IMPROVISATE Im*prov"i*sate, a. Etym: [See Improvise.]

Defn: Unpremeditated; impromptu; extempore. [R.]

IMPROVISATE Im*prov"i*sate, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Improvisated; p. pr. & vb. n. Improvisating.]

Defn: To improvise; to extemporize.

IMPROVISATION Im*prov`i*sa"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. improvisation.]

1. The act or art of composing and rendering music, poetry, and the like, extemporaneously; as, improvisation on the organ.

2. That which is improvised; an impromptu.

IMPROVISATIZE Im`pro*vis"a*tize, v. t. & i.

Defn: Same as Improvisate.

IMPROVISATOR Im*prov"i*sa`tor, n.

Defn: An improviser, or improvvisatore.

IMPROVISATORE Im`pro*vi`sa*to"re, n.

Defn: See Improvvisatore.

IMPROVISATORIAL; IMPROVISATORY Im*prov`i*sa*to"ri*al, Im*prov"i*sa*to*ry, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to improvisation or extemporaneous composition.

IMPROVISATRICE Im`pro*vi`sa*tri"ce, n.

Defn: See Improvvisatrice.

IMPROVISE Im`pro*vise", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Improvised; p. pr. & vb. n. Improvising.] Etym: [F. improviser, it. improvvisare, fr. improvviso unprovided, sudden, extempore, L. improvisus; pref. im- not + provisus foreseen, provided. See Proviso.]

1. To compose, recite, or sing extemporaneously, especially in verse; to extemporize; also, to play upon an instrument, or to act, extemporaneously.

2. To bring about, arrange, or make, on a sudden, or without previous preparation. Charles attempted to improvise a peace. Motley.

3. To invent, or provide, offhand, or on the spur of the moment; as, he improvised a hammer out of a stone.

IMPROVISE Im`pro*vise", v. i.

Defn: To produce or render extemporaneous compositions, especially in verse or in music, without previous preparation; hence, to do anything offhand.

IMPROVISER Im`pro*vis"er, n.

Defn: One who improvises.

IMPROVISION Im`pro*vi"sion, n. Etym: [Pref. im- not + provision.]

Defn: Improvidence. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

IMPROVISO Im`pro*vi"so, a. Etym: [L. improvisus unforeseen; cf. It. improvviso.]

Defn: Not prepared or mediated beforehand; extemporaneous. [Obs.] Jonhson.

IMPROVVISATORE Im`prov*vi`sa*to"re, n.; pl. Improvvisatori. Etym: [It. See Improvise.]

Defn: One who composes and sings or recites rhymes and short poems extemporaneously. [Written also improvisatore.]

IMPROVVISATRICE Im`prov*vi`sa*tri"ce, n.; pl. Improvvisatrici. Etym: [It. See Improvise.]

Defn: A female improvvisatore. [Written also improvisatrice.]

IMPRUDENCE Im*pru"dence, n. Etym: [L. imprudentia: cf. F. imprudence. Cf. Improvidence.]

Defn: The quality or state of being imprudent; want to caution, circumspection, or a due regard to consequences; indiscretion; inconsideration; reshness; also, an imprudent act; as, he was guilty of an imprudence. His serenity was interrupted, perhaps, by his own imprudence. Mickle.

IMPRUDENT Im*pru"dent, a. Etym: [L. imprudens; pref. im- not + prudens prudent: cf. F. imprudent. See Prudent, and cf. Improvident.]

Defn: Not prudent; wanting in prudence or discretion; indiscreet; injudicious; not attentive to consequence; improper. -- Im*pru"dent*ly, adv. Her majesty took a great dislike at the imprudent behavior of many of the ministers and readers. Strype.

Syn. -- Indiscreet; injudicious; incautious; ill-advised; unwise; heedless; careless; rash; negligent.

IMPUBERAL Im*pu"ber*al, a.

Defn: Not having arrived at puberty; immature. In impuberal animals the cerebellum is, in proportion to the brain proper, greatly less than in adults. Sir W. Hamilton.

IMPUBERTY Im*pu"ber*ty, n.

Defn: The condition of not having reached puberty, or the age of ability to reproduce one's species; want of age at which the marriage contract can be legally entered into.

IMPUDENCE Im"pu*dence, n. Etym: [L. impudentia: cf. F. impudence. See Impudent.]

Defn: The quality of being impudent; assurance, accompanied with a disregard of the presence or opinions of others; shamelessness; forwardness; want of modesty. Clear truths that their own evidence forces us to admit, or common experience makes it impudence to deny. Locke. Where pride and impudence (in fashion knit) Usurp the chair of wit. B. Jonson.

Syn. -- Shamelessness; audacity; insolence; effrontery; sauciness; impertinence; pertness; rudeness. -- Impudence, Effrontery, Sauciness. Impudence refers more especially to the feelings as manifested in action. Effrontery applies to some gross and public exhibition of shamelessness. Sauciness refers to a sudden pert outbreak of impudence, especially from an inferior. Impudence is an unblushing kind of impertinence, and may be manifested in words, tones, gestures, looks, etc. Effrontery rises still higher, and shows a total or shameless disregard of duty or decorum under the circumstances of the case. Sauciness discovers itself toward particular individuals, in certain relations; as in the case of servants who are saucy to their masters, or children who are saucy to their teachers. See Impertinent, and Insolent.

IMPUDENCY Im"pu*den*cy, n.

Defn: Impudence. [Obs.] Burton. Audacious without impudency. Shak.

IMPUDENT Im"pu*dent, a. Etym: [L. impudens, -entis; pref. im- not + pudens ashamed, modest, p. pr. of pudere to feel shame: cf. F. impudent.]

Defn: Bold, with contempt or disregard; unblushingly forward; impertinent; wanting modesty; shameless; saucy. More than impudent sauciness. Shak. When we behold an angel, not to fear Is to be impudent. Dryden.

Syn. -- Shameless; audacious; brazen; bold-faced; pert; immodest; rude; saucy; impertinent; insolent.

IMPUDENTLY Im"pu*dent*ly, adv.

Defn: In an impudent manner; with unbecoming assurance; shamelessly. At once assail With open mouths, and impudently rail. Sandys.

IMPUDICITY Im`pu*dic"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. impudicus immodest; im- not + pudicus shamefaced, modest: cf. F. impudicité, L. impudicitia.]

Defn: Immodesty. Sheldon.

IMPUGN Im*pugn", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impugned; p. pr. & vb. n. Impugning.] Etym: [OE. impugnen, F. impugner, fr. L. impugnare; in on, against + pugnare to flight. See Pugnacious.]

Defn: To attack by words or arguments; to contradict; to assail; to call in question; to make insinuations against; to gainsay; to oppose. The truth hereof I will net rashly pugn, or overboldly affirm. Peacham.

IMPUGNABLE Im*pugn"a*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being impugned; that may be gainsaid.

IMPUGNATION Im`pug*na"tion, n. Etym: [L. impugnatio: cf. OF. impugnation.]

Defn: Act of impugning; opposition; attack. [Obs.] A perpetual impugnation and self-conflict. Bp. Hall.

IMPUGNER Im*pugn"er, n.

Defn: One who impugns.

IMPUGNMENT Im*pugn"ment, n.

Defn: The act of impugning, or the state of being impugned. Ed. Rev.

IMPUISSANCE Im*pu"is*sance, n. Etym: [Cf. F. impuissance.]

Defn: Lack of power; inability. Bacon. Their own impuissance and weakness. Holland.

IMPUISSANT Im*pu"is*sant, a. Etym: [F., fr. pref. im- not + puissant. See Puissant.]

Defn: Weak; impotent; feeble.

IMPULSE Im"pulse, n. Etym: [L. impulsus, fr. impellere. See Impel.]

1. The act of impelling, or driving onward with sudden force; impulsion; especially, force so communicated as to produced motion suddenly, or immediately. All spontaneous animal motion is performed by mechanical impulse. S. Clarke.

2. The effect of an impelling force; motion produced by a sudden or momentary force.

3. (Mech.)

Defn: The action of a force during a very small interval of time; the effect of such action; as, the impulse of a sudden blow upon a hard elastic body.

4. A mental force which simply and directly urges to action; hasty inclination; sudden motive; momentary or transient influence of appetite or passion; propension; incitement; as, a man of good impulses; passion often gives a violent impulse to the will. These were my natural impulses for the undertaking. Dryden.

Syn. -- Force; incentive; influence; motive; feeling; incitement; instigation.

IMPULSE Im*pulse", v. t. Etym: [See Impel.]

Defn: To impel; to incite. [Obs.] Pope.

IMPULSION Im*pul"sion, n. Etym: [L. impulsio: cf. F. impulsion. See Impel.]

1. The act of impelling or driving onward, or the state of being impelled; the sudden or momentary agency of a body in motion on another body; also, the impelling force, or impulse. "The impulsion of the air." Bacon.

2. Influence acting unexpectedly or temporarily on the mind; sudden motive or influence; impulse. "The impulsion of conscience." Clarendon. "Divine impulsion prompting." Milton.

IMPULSIVE Im*pul"sive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. impulsif.]

1. Having the power of driving or impelling; giving an impulse; moving; impellent. Poor men! poor papers! We and they Do some impulsive force obey. Prior.

2. Actuated by impulse or by transient feelings. My heart, impulsive and wayward. Longfellow.

3. (Mech.)

Defn: Acting momentarily, or by impulse; not continuous; -- said of forces.

IMPULSIVE Im*pul"sive, n.

Defn: That which impels or gives an impulse; an impelling agent. Sir W. Wotton.

IMPULSIVELY Im*pul"sive*ly, adv.

Defn: In an impulsive manner.

IMPULSIVENESS Im*pul"sive*ness, n.

Defn: The quality of being impulsive.

IMPULSOR Im*pul"sor, n. Etym: [L.]

Defn: One who, or that which, impels; an inciter. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

IMPUNCTATE Im*punc"tate, a.

Defn: Not punctuate or dotted.

IMPUNCTUAL Im*punc"tu*al, a. Etym: [Pref. im- not + punctual: cf. F. imponctuel.]

Defn: Not punctual. [R.]

IMPUNCTUALITY Im*punc`tu*al"i*ty, n.

Defn: Neglect of, or failure in, punctuality. [R.] A. Hamilton.

IMPUNE Im*pune", a. Etym: [L. impunis.]

Defn: Unpunished. [R.]

IMPUNIBLY Im*pu"ni*bly, adv.

Defn: Without punishment; with impunity. [Obs.] J. Ellis.