Chapter CCXXXI: Foreword: Fore"word`, n (52)

Defn: The state or quality of being inexpressive.

INEXPUGNABLE In`ex*pug"na*ble, a. Etym: [L. inexpugnabilis: cf. F. inexpugnable. See In- not, and Expugnable.]

Defn: Incapable of being subdued by force; impregnable; unconquerable. Burke. A fortress, inexpugnable by the arts of war. Milman.

INEXPUGNABLY In`ex*pug"na*bly, adv.

Defn: So as to be inexpugnable; in an inexpugnable manner. Dr. H. More.

INEXSUPERABLE In`ex*su"per*a*ble, a. Etym: [L. inexsuperabilis; pref. in- not + exsuperabilis that may be surmounted. See In- not, Ex-, and Superable.]

Defn: Not capable of being passed over; insuperable; insurmountable.

INEXTENDED In`ex*tend"ed, a.

Defn: Not extended.

INEXTENSIBLE In`ex*ten"si*ble, a.

Defn: Not capable of being extended; not elastic; as, inextensible fibers.

INEXTENSION In`ex*ten"sion, n.

Defn: Want of extension; unextended state.

INEXTERMINABLE In`ex*ter"mi*na*ble, a. Etym: [L. inexterminabilis. See In- not, and Exterminate.]

Defn: Incapable of extermination. Rush.

INEXTINCT In`ex*tinct", a. Etym: [L. inextinctus, inexstinctus. See Extinct.]

Defn: Not quenched; not extinct.

INEXTINGUIBLE In`ex*tin"gui*ble, a. Etym: [L. inexstinguibilis: cf. F, inextinguible. See Inextinct.]

Defn: Inextinguishable. [Obs.] Sir T. More.

INEXTINGUISHABLE In`ex*tin"guish*a*ble, a.

Defn: Not capable of being extinguished; extinguishable; unquenchable; as, inextinguishable flame, light, thirst, desire, feuds. "Inextinguishable rage." Milton.

INEXTINGUISHABLY In`ex*tin"guish*a*bly, adv.

Defn: So as not to be extinguished; in an inextinguishable manner.

INEXTIRPABLE In`ex*tir"pa*ble, a. Etym: [L. inexstirpabilis: cf. F. inextirpable. See In- not, and Extirpate.]

Defn: Not capable of being extirpated or rooted out; ineradicable.

INEXTRICABLE In*ex"tri*ca*ble, a. Etym: [L. inextricabilis: cf. F. inextricable. See In- not, and Extricate.]

1. Incapable of being extricated, untied, or disentangled; hopelessly intricate, confused, or obscure; as, an inextricable knot or difficulty; inextricable confusion. Lost in the wild, inextricable maze. Blackmore.

2. Inevitable. [R.] "Fate inextricable." Milton.

INEXTRICABLENESS In*ex"tri*ca*ble*ness, n.

Defn: The state of being inextricable.

INEXTRICABLY In*ex"tri*ca*bly, adv.

Defn: In an inextricable manner.

INEYE In*eye", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ineyed; p. pr. & vb. n. Ineyeing.] Etym: [Pref. in- in + eye.]

Defn: To ingraft, as a tree or plant, by the insertion of a bud or eye; to inoculate. The arts of grafting and ineying. J. Philips.

INFABRICATED In*fab"ri*ca`ted, a.

Defn: Not fabricated; unwrought; not artificial; natural. [Obs.]

INFALLIBILIST In*fal"li*bil*ist, n.

Defn: One who accepts or maintains the dogma of papal infallibility.

INFALLIBILITY In*fal`li*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. infaillibilité.]

Defn: The quality or state of being infallible, or exempt from error; inerrability. Infallibility is the highest perfection of the knowing faculty. Tillotson. Papal infallibility (R. C. Ch.), the dogma that the pope can not, when acting in his official character of supreme pontiff, err in defining a doctrine of Christian faith or rule of morals, to be held by the church. This was decreed by the Ecumenical Council at the Vatican, July 18, 1870.

INFALLIBLE In*fal"li*ble, a. Etym: [Pref. in- not + fallible: cf. F. infallible.]

1. Not fallible; not capable of erring; entirely exempt from liability to mistake; unerring; inerrable. Dryden.

2. Not liable to fail, deceive, or disappoint; indubitable; sure; certain; as, infallible evidence; infallible success; an infallible remedy. To whom also he showed himself alive, after his passion, by many infallible proofs. Acts i. 3.

3. (R. C. Ch.)

Defn: Incapable of error in defining doctrines touching faith or morals. See Papal infallibility, under Infallibility.

INFALLIBLENESS In*fal"li*ble*ness, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being infallible; infallibility. Bp. Hall.

INFALLIBLY In*fal"li*bly, adv.

Defn: In an infallible manner; certainly; unfailingly; unerringly. Blair.

INFAME In*fame", v. t. Etym: [L. infamare, fr. infamis infamous: cf. F. infamer, It. infamare. See Infamous.]

Defn: To defame; to make infamous. [Obs.] Milton. Livia is infamed for the poisoning of her husband. Bacon.

INFAMIZE In"fa*mize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Infamized; p. pr. & vb. n. Infamizing.]

Defn: To make infamous; to defame. [R.] Coleridge.

INFAMOUS In"fa*mous, a. Etym: [Pref. in- not + famous: cf. L. infamis. See Infamy.]

1. Of very bad report; having a reputation of the worst kind; held in abhorrence; guilty of something that exposes to infamy; base; notoriously vile; detestable; as, an infamous traitor; an infamous perjurer. False errant knight, infamous, and forsworn. Spenser.

2. Causing or producing infamy; deserving detestation; scandalous to the last degree; as, an infamous act; infamous vices; infamous corruption. Macaulay.

3. (Law)

Defn: Branded with infamy by conviction of a crime; as, at common law, an infamous person can not be a witness.

4. Having a bad name as being the place where an odious crime was committed, or as being associated with something detestable; hence, unlucky; perilous; dangerous. "Infamous woods." P. Fletcher. Infamous hills, and sandy perilous wilds. Milton. The piny shade More infamous by cursed Lycaon made. Dryden.

Syn. -- Detestable; odious; scandalous; disgraceful; base; vile; shameful; ignominious.

INFAMOUSLY In"fa*mous*ly, adv.

Defn: In an infamous manner or degree; scandalously; disgracefully; shamefully. The sealed fountain of royal bounty which had been infamously monopolized and huckstered. Burke.

INFAMOUSNESS In"fa*mous*ness, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being infamous; infamy.

INFAMY In"fa*my, n.; pl. Infamies. Etym: [L. infamia, fr. infamis infamous; pref. in- not + fama fame: cf. F. infamie. See Fame.]

1. Total loss of reputation; public disgrace; dishonor; ignominy; indignity. The afflicted queen would not yield, and said she would not . . . submit to such infamy. Bp. Burnet.

2. A quality which exposes to disgrace; extreme baseness or vileness; as, the infamy of an action.

3. (Law)

Defn: That loss of character, or public disgrace, which a convict incurs, and by which he is at common law rendered incompetent as a witness.

INFANCY In"fan*cy, n. Etym: [L. infantia: cf. F. enfance. See Infant.]

1. The state or period of being an infant; the first part of life; early childhood. The babe yet lies in smiling infancy. Milton. Their love in early infancy began. Dryden.

2. The first age of anything; the beginning or early period of existence; as, the infancy of an art. The infancy and the grandeur of Rome. Arbuthnot.

3. (Law)

Defn: The state or condition of one under age, or under the age of twenty-one years; nonage; minority.

INFANDOUS In*fan"dous, a. Etym: [L. infandus; pref. in- not + fari to speak.]

Defn: Too odious to be expressed or mentioned. [Obs.] Howell.

INFANGTHEF In*fang"thef, n. Etym: [AS. in-fangen-peóf; in in, into + fangen taken (p. p. of f to take) + peóf thief.] (O. Eng. Law)

Defn: The privilege granted to lords of certain manors to judge thieves taken within the seigniory of such lords. Cowell.

INFANT In"fant, n. Etym: [L. infans; pref. in- not +fari to speak: cf. F. enfant, whence OE. enfaunt. See Fame, and cf. Infante, Infanta.]

1. A child in the first period of life, beginning at his birth; a young babe; sometimes, a child several years of age. And tender cries of infants pierce the ear. C. Pitt.

2. (Law)

Defn: A person who is not of full age, or who has not attained the age of legal capacity; a person under the age of twenty-one years; a minor.

Note: An infant under seven years of age is not penally responsible; between seven and fourteen years of age, he may be convicted of a malicious offense if malice be proved. He becomes of age on the day preceding his twenty-first birthday, previous to which time an infant has no capacity to contract.

3. Same as Infante. [Obs.] Spenser.

INFANT In"fant, a.

1. Of or pertaining to infancy, or the first period of life; tender; not mature; as, infant strength.

2. Intended for young children; as, an infant school.

INFANT In"fant, v. t. Etym: [Cf. F. enfanter.]

Defn: To bear or bring forth, as a child; hence, to produce, in general. [Obs.] This worthy motto, "No bishop, no king," is . . . infanted out of the same fears. Milton.

INFANTA In*fan"ta, n. Etym: [Sp. & Pg., fem. of infante. See Infante.]

Defn: A title borne by every one of the daughters of the kings of Spain and Portugal, except the eldest.

INFANTE In*fan"te, n. Etym: [Sp. & Pg. See Infant.]

Defn: A title given to every one of sons of the kings of Spain and Portugal, except the eldest or heir apparent.

INFANTHOOD In"fant*hood, n.

Defn: Infancy. [R.]

INFANTICIDAL In*fan"ti*ci`dal, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to infanticide; engaged in, or guilty of, child murder.

INFANTICIDE In*fan"ti*cide, n. Etym: [L. infanticidium child murder; infans, - antis, child + caedere to kill: cf. F. infanticide. See Infant, and Homicide.]

Defn: The murder of an infant born alive; the murder or killing of a newly born or young child; child murder.

INFANTICIDE In*fan"ti*cide, n. Etym: [L. infanticida: cf. F. infanticide.]

Defn: One who commits the crime of infanticide; one who kills an infant.

INFANTILE In"fan*tile, a. Etym: [L. infantilis: cf. F. infantile. See Infant.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to infancy, or to an infant; similar to, or characteristic of, an infant; childish; as, infantile behavior.

INFANTILE PARALYSIS In"fan*tile pa*ral"y*sis. (Med.)

Defn: An acute disease, almost exclusively infantile, characterized by inflammation of the anterior horns of the gray substance of the spinal cord. It is attended with febrile symptoms, motor paralysis, and muscular atrophy, often producing permanent deformities. Called also acute anterior poliomyelitis.

INFANTINE In"fan*tine, a. Etym: [Cf. F. enfantin.]

Defn: Infantile; childish. A degree of credulity next infantine. Burke.

INFANTLIKE In"fant*like`, a.

Defn: Like an infant. Shak.

INFANTLY In"fant*ly, a.

Defn: Like an infant. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

INFANTRY In"fan*try, n. Etym: [F. infanterie, It. infanteria, fr. infante infant, child, boy servant, foot soldier, fr. L. infans, -antis, child; foot soldiers being formerly the servants and followers of knights. See Infant.]

1. A body of children. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

2. (Mil.)

Defn: A body of soldiers serving on foot; foot soldiers, in distinction from cavalry.

INFARCE In*farce", v. t. Etym: [L. infarcire: pref. in- in + farcire, fartum and farctum, to stuff, cram.]

Defn: To stuff; to swell. [Obs.] The body is infarced with . . . watery humors. Sir T. Elyot.

INFARCT In*farct", n. [See Infarce.] (Med.) (a) An obstruction or embolus. (b) The morbid condition of a limited area resulting from such obstruction; as, a hemorrhagic infarct.

INFARCTION In*farc"tion, n. Etym: [See Infarce.]

Defn: The act of stuffing or filling; an overloading and obstruction of any organ or vessel of the body; constipation.

INFARE In"fare`, n. Etym: [AS. infær entrance.]

Defn: A house-warming; especially, a reception, party, or entertainment given by a newly married couple, or by the husband upon receiving the wife to his house. [Written also infair.] [Scot., & Local, U. S.]

INFASHIONABLE In*fash"ion*a*ble, a.

Defn: Unfashionable. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

INFATIGABLE In*fat"i*ga*ble, a. Etym: [L. infatigabilis: cf. F. infatigable.]

Defn: Indefatigable. [Obs.] Daniel.

INFATUATE In*fat"u*ate, a. Etym: [L. infatuatus, p. p. of infatuare to infatuate; pref. in- in + fatuus foolish. See Fatuous.]

Defn: Infatuated. Bp. Hall.

INFATUATE In*fat"u*ate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Infatuated; p. pr. & vb. n. Infatuating.]

1. To make foolish; to affect with folly; to weaken the intellectual powers of, or to deprive of sound judgment. The judgment of God will be very visible in infatuating a people . . . ripe and prepared for destruction. Clarendon.

2. To inspire with a foolish and extravagant passion; as, to be infatuated with gaming. The people are . . . infatuated with the notion. Addison.

INFATUATED In*fat"u*a`ted, a.

Defn: Overcome by some foolish passion or desire; affected by infatuation.

INFATUATION In*fat`u*a"tion, n. Etym: [LL. infatuatio: cf. F. infatuation.]

Defn: The act of infatuating; the state of being infatuated; folly; that which infatuates. The infatuations of the sensual and frivolous part of mankind are amazing; but the infatuations of the learned and sophistical are incomparably more so. I. Taylor. Such is the infatuation of self-love. Blair.

INFAUST In*faust", a. Etym: [L. infaustus; pref. in- not + faustus fortunate, lucky.]

Defn: Not favorable; unlucky; unpropitious; sinister. [R.] Ld. Lytton.

INFAUSTING In*faust"ing, n.

Defn: The act of making unlucky; misfortune; bad luck. [Obs.] Bacon.

INFEASIBILITY In*fea`si*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: The state of being infeasible; impracticability.

INFEASIBLE In*fea"si*ble, a.

Defn: Not capable of being done or accomplished; impracticable. Glanvill.

INFEASIBLENESS In*fea"si*ble*ness, n.

Defn: The state of quality of being infeasible; infeasibility. W. Montagu.

INFECT In*fect", a. Etym: [L. infectus: cf. F. infect. See Infect, v. t.]

Defn: Infected. Cf. Enfect. [Obs.] Shak.

INFECT In*fect", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Infected; p. pr. & vb. n. Infecting.] Etym: [L. infectus, p. p. of inficere to put or dip into, to stain, infect; pref. in- in + facere to make; cf. F. infecter. See Fact.]

1. To taint with morbid matter or any pestilential or noxious substance or effluvium by which disease is produced; as, to infect a lancet; to infect an apartment.

2. To affect with infectious disease; to communicate infection to; as, infected with the plague. Them that were left alive being infected with this disease. Sir T. North.

3. To communicate to or affect with, as qualities or emotions, esp. bad qualities; to corrupt; to contaminate; to taint by the communication of anything noxious or pernicious. Cowper. Infected Ston's daughters with like heat. Milton.

4. (Law)

Defn: To contaminate with illegality or to expo

Syn. -- To poison; vitiate; pollute; defile.

INFECTER In*fect"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, infects.

INFECTIBLE In*fect"i*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being infected.

INFECTION In*fec"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. infection, L. infectio a dyeing.]

1. The act or process of infecting. There was a strict order against coming to those pits, and that was only to prevent infection. De Foe.

2. That which infects, or causes the communicated disease; any effluvium, miasm, or pestilential matter by which an infectious disease is caused. And that which was still worse, they that did thus break out spread the infection further by their wandering about with the distemper upon them. De Foe.

3. The state of being infected; contamination by morbific particles; the result of infecting influence; a prevailing disease; epidemic. The danger was really very great, the infection being so very violent in London. De Foe.

4. That which taints or corrupts morally; as, the infection of vicious principles. It was her chance to light Amidst the gross infections of those times. Daniel.

5. (Law)

Defn: Contamination by illegality, as in cases of contraband goods; implication.

6. Sympathetic communication of like qualities or emotions; influence. Through all her train the soft infection ran. Pope. Mankind are gay or serious by infection. Rambler.

Syn. -- Infection, Contagion. -- Infection is often used in a definite and limited sense of the transmission of affections without direct contact of individuals or immediate application or introduction of the morbific agent, in contradistinction to contagion, which then implies transmission by direct contact. Quain. See Contagious.

INFECTIOUS In*fec"tious, a. Etym: [Cf. F. infectieux.]

1. Having qualities that may infect; communicable or caused by infection; pestilential; epidemic; as, an infectious fever; infectious clothing; infectious air; infectious vices. Where the infectious pestilence. Shak.

2. Corrupting, or tending to corrupt or contaminate; vitiating; demoralizing. It [the court] is necessary for the polishing of manners . . . but it is infectious even to the best morals to live always in it. Dryden.

3. (Law)

Defn: Contaminating with illegality; exposing to seizure and forfeiture. Contraband articles are said to be of an infectious nature. Kent.

4. Capable of being easily diffused or spread; sympathetic; readily communicated; as, infectious mirth. The laughter was so genuine as to be infectious. W. Black.

Syn. -- See Contagious.

INFECTIOUS DISEASE In*fec"tious dis*ease". (a) Any disease caused by the entrance, growth, and multiplication of bacteria or protozoans in the body; a germ disease. It may not be contagious. (b) Sometimes, as distinguished from contagious disease, such a disease communicated by germs carried in the air or water, and thus spread without contact with the patient, as measles.

INFECTIOUSLY In*fec"tious*ly, adv.

Defn: In an infectious manner. Shak.

INFECTIOUSNESS In*fec"tious*ness, n.

Defn: The quality of being infectious.

INFECTIVE In*fect"ive, a. Etym: [L. infectivus pertaining to dyeing.]

Defn: Infectious. Beau. & Fl. True love . . . hath an infective power. Sir P. Sidney.

INFECUND In*fec"und, a. Etym: [L. infecundus: cf. F. infécond. See In- not, and Fecund.]

Defn: Unfruitful; not producing young; barren; infertile. [Obs.] Evelyn.

INFECUNDITY In`fe*cun"di*ty, n. Etym: [L. infecunditas: cf. F. infécondité.]

Defn: Want of fecundity or fruitfulness; barrenness; sterility; unproductiveness.

INFECUNDOUS In`fe*cun"dous, a. Etym: [See Infecund.]

Defn: Infertile; barren; unprofitable; unproductive. [Obs.] Glanvill.

INFEEBLE In*fee"ble, v. t.

Defn: See Enfeeble.

INFELICITOUS In`fe*lic"i*tous, a.

Defn: Not felicitous; unhappy; unfortunate; not fortunate or appropriate in application; not well said, expressed, or done; as, an infelicitous condition; an infelicitous remark; an infelicitous description; infelicitous words.

INFELICITY In`fe*lic"i*ty, n.; pl. Infelicities. Etym: [L. infelicitas: cf. F. infélicité. See In- not, and Felicity.]

1. The state or quality of being infelicitous; unhappiness; misery; wretchedness; misfortune; want of suitableness or appropriateness. I. Watts. Whatever is the ignorance and infelicity of the present state, we were made wise and happy. Glanvill.

2. That (as an act, word, expression, etc.) which is infelicitous; as, infelicities of speech.

INFELONIOUS In`fe*lo"ni*ous, a.

Defn: Not felonious, malignant, or criminal. G. Eliot.

INFELT In"felt`, a. Etym: [Pref. in- in + felt.]

Defn: Felt inwardly; heartfelt. [R.] The baron stood afar off, or knelt in submissive, acknowledged, infelt inferiority. Milman.

INFEODATION In`feo*da"tion, n. (Law)

Defn: See Infeudation.

INFEOFF In*feoff", v. t. (Law)

Defn: See Enfeoff.

INFEOFFMENT In*feoff"ment, n. (Law)

Defn: See Enfeoffment.

INFER In*fer", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inferred; p. pr. & vb. n. Inferring.] Etym: [L. inferre to bring into, bring forward, occasion, infer; pref. in- in + ferre to carry, bring: cf. F. inférer. See 1 st Bear.]

1. To bring on; to induce; to occasion. [Obs.] Harvey.

2. To offer, as violence. [Obs.] Spenser.

3. To bring forward, or employ as an argument; to adduce; to allege; to offer. [Obs.] Full well hath Clifford played the orator, Inferring arguments of mighty force. Shak.

4. To derive by deduction or by induction; to conclude or surmise from facts or premises; to accept or derive, as a consequence, conclusion, or probability; to imply; as, I inferred his determination from his silence. To infer is nothing but by virtue of one proposition laid down as true, to draw in another as true. Locke. Such opportunities always infer obligations. Atterbury.

5. To show; to manifest; to prove. [Obs.] The first part is not the proof of the second, but rather contrariwise, the second inferreth well the first. Sir T. More. This doth infer the zeal I had to see him. Shak.

INFERABLE In*fer"a*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being inferred or deduced from premises. [Written also inferrible.] H. Spencer. A sufficient argument . . . is inferable from these premises. Burke.

INFERENCE In"fer*ence, n. Etym: [From Infer.]

1. The act or process of inferring by deduction or induction. Though it may chance to be right in the conclusions, it is yet unjust and mistaken in the method of inference. Glanvill.

2. That which inferred; a truth or proposition drawn from another which is admitted or supposed to be true; a conclusion; a deduction. Milton. These inferences, or conclusions, are the effects of reasoning, and the three propositions, taken all together, are called syllogism, or argument. I. Watts.

Syn. -- Conclusion; deduction; consequence. -- Inference, Conclusion. An inference is literally that which is brought in; and hence, a deduction or induction from premises, -- something which follows as certainly or probably true. A conclusion is stronger than an inference; it shuts us up to the result, and terminates inquiry. We infer what is particular or probable; we conclude what is certain. In a chain of reasoning we have many inferences, which lead to the ultimate conclusion. "An inference is a proposition which is perceived to be true, because of its connection with some known fact." "When something is simply affirmed to be true, it is called a proposition; after it has been found to be true by several reasons or arguments, it is called a conclusion." I. Taylor.

INFERENTIAL In`fer*en"tial, a.

Defn: Deduced or deducible by inference. "Inferential proofs." J. S. Mill.

INFERENTIALLY In`fer*en"tial*ly, adv.

Defn: By way of inference.

INFERIAE In*fe"ri*æ, n. pl. Etym: [L., fr. inferus underneath.] (Rom. Antiq.)

Defn: Sacrifices offered to the souls of deceased heroes or friends.

INFERIOR In*fe"ri*or, a. Etym: [L., compar. of inferus that is below, underneath, the lower; akin to E. under: cf. F. inférieur. See Under.]

1. Lower in place, rank, excellence, etc.; less important or valuable; subordinate; underneath; beneath. A thousand inferior and particular propositions. I. Watts. The body, or, as some love to call it, our inferior nature. Burke. Whether they are equal or inferior to my other poems, an author is the most improper judge. Dryden.

2. Poor or mediocre; as, an inferior quality of goods.

3. (Astron.) (a) Nearer the sun than the earth is; as, the inferior or interior planets; an inferior conjunction of Mercury or Venus. (b) Below the horizon; as, the inferior part of a meridian,

4. (Bot.) (a) Situated below some other organ; -- said of a calyx when free from the ovary, and therefore below it, or of an ovary with an adherent and therefore inferior calyx. (b) On the side of a flower which is next the bract; anterior.

5. (Min.)

Defn: Junior or subordinate in rank; as, an inferior officer. Inferior court (Law), a court subject to the jurisdiction of another court known as the superior, or higher, court. -- Inferior letter, Inferior figure (Print.), a small letter or figure standing at the bottom of the line (opposed to superior letter or figure), as in A2, Bn, 2 and n are inferior characters. -- Inferior tide, the tide corresponding to the moon's transit of the meridian, when below the horizon.

INFERIOR In*fe"ri*or, n.

Defn: A person lower in station, rank, intellect, etc., than another. A great person gets more by obliging his inferior than by disdaining him. South.

INFERIORITY In*fe`ri*or"i*ty, Etym: [Cf. F. infériorité.]

Defn: The state of being inferior; a lower state or condition; as, inferiority of rank, of talents, of age, of worth. A deep sense of our own great inferiority. Boyle.

INFERIORLY In*fe"ri*or*ly, adv.

Defn: In an inferior manner, or on the inferior part.

INFERNAL In*fer"nal, a. Etym: [F. infernal, L. infernalis, fr. infernus that which lies beneath, the lower. See Inferior.]

1. Of or pertaining to or suitable for the lower regions, inhabited, according to the ancients, by the dead; pertaining to Pluto's realm of the dead, the Tartarus of the ancients. The Elysian fields, the infernal monarchy. Garth.

2. Of or pertaining to, resembling, or inhabiting, hell; suitable for hell, or to the character of the inhabitants of hell; hellish; diabolical; as, infernal spirits, or conduct. The instruments or abettors in such infernal dealings. Addison. Infernal machine, a machine or apparatus maliciously designed to explode, and destroy life or property. -- Infernal stone (lapis infernalis), lunar caustic; formerly so called. The name was also applied to caustic potash.

Syn. -- Tartarean; Stygian; hellish; devilish; diabolical; satanic; fiendish; malicious.

INFERNAL In*fer"nal, n.

Defn: An inhabitant of the infernal regions; also, the place itself. [Obs.] Drayton.

INFERNALLY In*fer"nal*ly, adv.

Defn: In an infernal manner; diabolically. "Infernally false." Bp. Hacket.

INFERNO In*fer"no, n. [It. See Infernal.]

Defn: The infernal regions; hell. Also used fig.

At each sudden explosion in the inferno below they sprang back from the brink [of the volcanic crater]. D. C. Worcester.

INFEROBRANCHIAN In`fe*ro*bran"chi*an, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the Inferobranchiata.

INFEROBRANCHIATA In`fe*ro*bran`chi*a"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Inferobranchiate.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A suborder of marine gastropod mollusks, in which the gills are between the foot and the mantle.

INFEROBRANCHIATE In`fe*ro*bran"chi*ate, a. Etym: [L. inferus lower + E. branchiate.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having the gills on the sides of the body, under the margin of the mantle; belonging to the Inferobranchiata.

INFERRIBLE In*fer"ri*ble, a.

Defn: Inferable.

INFERTILE In*fer"tile, a. Etym: [L. infertilis: cf. F. infertile. See In- not, and Fertile.]

Defn: Not fertile; not productive; barren; sterile; as, an infertile soil.

INFERTILELY In*fer"tile*ly, adv.

Defn: In an infertile manner.

INFERTILITY In`fer*til"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. infertilitas: cf. F. infertilité.]

Defn: The state or quality of being infertile; unproductiveness; barrenness. The infertility or noxiousness of the soil. Sir M. Hale.

INFEST In*fest", a. Etym: [L. infestus. See Infest, v. t.]

Defn: Mischievous; hurtful; harassing. [Obs.] Spenser.

INFEST In*fest", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Infested; p. pr. & vb. n. Infesting.] Etym: [L. infestare, fr. infestus disturbed, hostile, troublesome; in in, against + the root of defendere: cf. F. infester. See Defend.]

Defn: To trouble greatly by numbers or by frequency of presence; to disturb; to annoy; to frequent and molest or harass; as, fleas infest dogs and cats; a sea infested with pirates. To poison vermin that infest his plants. Cowper. These, said the genius, are envy, avarice, superstition, love, with the like cares and passions that infest human life. Addison. And the cares, that infest the day, Shall fold their tents, like the Arabs, And as silently steal away. Longfellow.

INFESTATION In`fest*a"tion, n. Etym: [L. infestatio: cf. F. infestation.]

Defn: The act of infesting or state of being infested; molestation; vexation; annoyance. Bacon. Free from the infestation of enemies. Donne.

INFESTER In*fest"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, infests.

INFESTIVE In*fest"ive, a. Etym: [L. infestivus. See In- not, and Festive.]

Defn: Having no mirth; not festive or merry; dull; cheerless; gloomy; forlorn. [R.]

INFESTIVITY In`fes*tiv"i*ty, n.

Defn: Want of festivity, cheerfulness, or mirth; dullness; cheerlessness. [R.]

INFESTUOUS In*fes"tu*ous, a. Etym: [L. infestus. See Infest, a.]

Defn: Mischievous; harmful; dangerous. [Obs.] "Infestuous as serpents." Bacon.

INFEUDATION In`feu*da"tion, n. Etym: [LL. infeudatio, fr. infeudare to enfeoff: cf. F. inféodation. See Feud a fief.]

1. (Law)

Defn: The act of putting one in possession of an estate in fee. Sir M. Hale.

2. The granting of tithes to laymen. Blackstone.

INFIBULATION In*fib`u*la"tion, n. Etym: [L. infibulare, infibulatum, to clasp, buckle, or button together; pref. in- in + fibula clasp, buckle: cf. F. infibulation.]

1. The act of clasping, or fastening, as with a buckle or padlock.

2. The act of attaching a ring, clasp, or frame, to the genital organs in such a manner as to prevent copulation.

INFIDEL In"fi*del, a. Etym: [L. infidelis; pref. in- not + fidelis faithful, fr. fides faith: cf. F. infidèle. See Fidelity.]

Defn: Not holding the faith; -- applied esp. to one who does not believe in the inspiration of the Scriptures, and the supernatural origin of Christianity. The infidel writer is a great enemy to society. V. Knox.

INFIDEL In"fi*del, n.

Defn: One who does not believe in the prevailing religious faith; especially, one who does not believe in the divine origin and authority of Christianity; a Mohammedan; a heathen; a freethinker.

Note: Infidel is used by English writers to translate the equivalent word used Mohammedans in speaking of Christians and other disbelievers in Mohammedanism.

Syn. -- Infidel, Unbeliever, Freethinker, Deist, Atheist, Sceptic, Agnostic. An infidel, in common usage, is one who denies Christianity and the truth of the Scriptures. Some have endeavored to widen the sense of infidel so as to embrace atheism and every form of unbelief; but this use does not generally prevail. A freethinker is now only another name for an infidel. An unbeliever is not necessarily a disbeliever or infidel, because he may still be inquiring after evidence to satisfy his mind; the word, however, is more commonly used in the extreme sense. A deist believes in one God and a divine providence, but rejects revelation. An atheist denies the being of God. A sceptic is one whose faith in the credibility of evidence is weakened or destroyed, so that religion, to the same extent, has no practical hold on his mind. An agnostic remains in a state of suspended judgment, neither affirming nor denying the existence of a personal Deity.

INFIDELITY In`fi*del"i*ty, n.; pl. Infidelities (. Etym: [L. infidelitas: cf. F. infidélité.]

1. Want of faith or belief in some religious system; especially, a want of faith in, or disbelief of, the inspiration of the Scriptures, of the divine origin of Christianity. There is, indeed, no doubt but that vanity is one of the principal causes of infidelity. V. Knox.

2. Unfaithfulness to the marriage vow or contract; violation of the marriage covenant by adultery.

3. Breach of trust; unfaithfulness to a charge, or to moral obligation; treachery; deceit; as, the infidelity of a servant. "The infidelity of friends." Sir W. Temple.

INFIELD In*field", v. t.

Defn: To inclose, as a field. [R.]

INFIELD In"field`, n.

1. Arable and manured land kept continually under crop; -- distinguished from outfield. [Scotland] Jamieson.

2. (Baseball)

Defn: The diamond; -- opposed to outfield. See Diamond, n., 5.

INFILE In*file", v. t.

Defn: To arrange in a file or rank; to place in order. [Obs.] Holland.

INFILM In*film", v. t.

Defn: To cover with a film; to coat thinly; as, to infilm one metal with another in the process of gilding; to infilm the glass of a mirror. [R.]

INFILTER In*fil"ter, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Infiltered; p. pr. & vb. n. Infiltering.] Etym: [Cf. Infiltrate.]

Defn: To filter or sift in.

INFILTRATE In*fil"trate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Infiltrated; p. pr. & vb. n. Infiltrating.] Etym: [Pref. in- + filtrate: cf. F, s'infiltrer. Cf. Infilter.]

Defn: To enter by penetrating the pores or interstices of a substance; to filter into or through something. The water infiltrates through the porous rock. Addison.

INFILTRATE In*fil"trate, v. t.

Defn: To penetrate gradually; -- sometimes used reflexively. J. S. Mill.

INFILTRATION In`fil*tra"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. infiltration.]

1. The act or process of infiltrating, as if water into a porous substance, or of a fluid into the cells of an organ or part of the body.

2. The substance which has entered the pores or cavities of a body. Addison. Calcareous infiltrations filling the cavities. Kirwan. Fatty infiltration. (Med.) See under Fatty. -- Infiltration gallery, a filter gallery.

INFILTRATIVE In*fil"tra*tive, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to infiltration. Kane.

INFINITE In"fi*nite, a. Etym: [L. infinitus: cf. F. infini. See In- not, and Finite.]

1. Unlimited or boundless, in time or space; as, infinite duration or distance. Whatever is finite, as finite, will admit of no comparative relation with infinity; for whatever is less than infinite is still infinitely distant from infinity; and lower than infinite distance the lowest or least can not sink. H. Brooke.

2. Without limit in power, capacity, knowledge, or excellence; boundless; immeasurably or inconceivably great; perfect; as, the infinite wisdom and goodness of God; -- opposed to finite. Great is our Lord, and of great power; his understanding is infinite. Ps. cxlvii. 5. O God, how infinite thou art! I. Watts.

3. Indefinitely large or extensive; great; vast; immense; gigantic; prodigious. Infinite riches in a little room. Marlowe. Which infinite calamity shall cause To human life. Milton.

4. (Math.)

Defn: Greater than any assignable quantity of the same kind; -- said of certain quantities.

5. (Mus.)

Defn: Capable of endless repetition; -- said of certain forms of the canon, called also perpetual fugues, so constructed that their ends lead to their beginnings, and the performance may be incessantly repeated. Moore (Encyc. of Music).

Syn. -- Boundless; immeasurable; illimitable; interminable; limitless; unlimited; endless; eternal.

INFINITE In"fi*nite, n.

1. That which is infinite; boundless space or duration; infinity; boundlessness. Not till the weight is heaved from off the air, and the thunders roll down the horizon, will the serene light of God flow upon us, and the blue infinite embrace us again. J. Martineau.

2. (Math.)

Defn: An infinite quantity or magnitude.

3. An infinity; an incalculable or very great number. Glittering chains, embroidered richly o'er With infinite of pearls and finest gold. Fanshawe.

4. The Infinite Being; God; the Almighty.

INFINITELY In"fi*nite*ly, adv.

1. Without bounds or limits; beyond or below assignable limits; as, an infinitely large or infinitely small quantity.

2. Very; exceedingly; vastly; highly; extremely. "Infinitely pleased." Dryden.

INFINITENESS In"fi*nite*ness, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being infinite; infinity; greatness; immensity. Jer. Taylor.

INFINITESIMAL In`fin*i*tes"i*mal, a. Etym: [Cf. F. infinitésimal, fr. infinitésime infinitely small, fr. L. infinitus. See Infinite, a.]

Defn: Infinitely or indefinitely small; less than any assignable quantity or value; very small. Infinitesimal calculus, the different and the integral calculus, when developed according to the method used by Leibnitz, who regarded the increments given to variables as infinitesimal.

INFINITESIMAL In`fin*i*tes"i*mal, n. (Math.)

Defn: An infinitely small quantity; that which is less than any assignable quantity.

INFINITESIMALLY In`fin*i*tes"i*mal*ly, adv.

Defn: By infinitesimals; in infinitely small quantities; in an infinitesimal degree.

INFINITIVAL In*fin`i*ti"val, a.

Defn: Pertaining to the infinite mood. "Infinitival stems." Fitzed. Hall.

INFINITIVE In*fin"i*tive, n. Etym: [L. infinitivus: cf. F. infinitif. See Infinite.]

Defn: Unlimited; not bounded or restricted; undefined. Infinitive mood (Gram.), that form of the verb which merely names the action, and performs the office of a verbal noun. Some grammarians make two forms in English: (a) The simple form, as, speak, go, hear, before which to is commonly placed, as, to speak; to go; to hear. (b) The form of the imperfect participle, called the infinitive in -ing; as, going is as easy as standing.

Note: With the auxiliary verbs may, can, must, might, could, would, and should, the simple infinitive is expressed without to; as, you may speak; they must hear, etc. The infinitive usually omits to with the verbs let, dare, do, bid, make, see, hear, need, etc.; as, let me go; you dare not tell; make him work; hear him talk, etc.

Note: In Anglo-Saxon, the simple infinitive was not preceded by to (the sign of modern simple infinitive), but it had a dative form (sometimes called the gerundial infinitive) which was preceded by to, and was chiefly employed in expressing purpose. See Gerund, 2.

Note: The gerundial ending (-anne) not only took the same form as the simple infinitive (-an), but it was confounded with the present participle in -ende, or -inde (later -inge).

INFINITIVE In*fin"i*tive, n. (Gram.)

Defn: An infinitive form of the verb; a verb in the infinitive mood; the infinitive mood.

INFINITIVE In*fin"i*tive, adv. (Gram.)

Defn: In the manner of an infinitive mood.

INFINITO In`fi*ni"to, a. Etym: [It.] (Mus.)

Defn: Infinite; perpetual, as a canon whose end leads back to the beginning. See Infinite, a., 5.

INFINITUDE In*fin"i*tude, n.

1. The quality or state of being infinite, or without limits; infiniteness.

2. Infinite extent; unlimited space; immensity; infinity. "I am who fill infinitude." Milton. As pleasing to the fancy, as speculations of eternity or infinitude are to the understanding. Addison.

3. Boundless number; countless multitude. "An infinitude of distinctions." Addison.

INFINITUPLE In*fin"i*tu`ple, a. Etym: [Cf. Quadruple.]

Defn: Multipied an infinite number of times. [R.] Wollaston.

INFINITY In*fin"i*ty, n.; pl. Infinities. Etym: [L. infinitas; pref. in- not + finis boundary, limit, end: cf. F. infinité. See Finite.]

1. Unlimited extent of time, space, or quantity; eternity; boundlessness; immensity. Sir T. More. There can not be more infinities than one; for one of them would limit the other. Sir W. Raleigh.

2. Unlimited capacity, energy, excellence, or knowledge; as, the infinity of God and his perfections. Hooker.

3. Endless or indefinite number; great multitude; as an infinity of beauties. Broome.

4. (Math.)

Defn: A quantity greater than any assignable quantity of the same kind.

Note: Mathematically considered, infinity is always a limit of a variable quantity, resulting from a particular supposition made upon the varying element which enters it. Davies & Peck (Math. Dict. ).

5. (Geom.)

Defn: That part of a line, or of a plane, or of space, which is infinitely distant. In modern geometry, parallel lines or planes are sometimes treated as lines or planes meeting at infinity. Circle at infinity, an imaginary circle at infinity, through which, in geometry of three dimensions, every sphere is imagined to pass. -- Circular points at infinity. See under Circular.

INFIRM In*firm", a. Etym: [L.infirmus: cf.F.infirme. See In- not, and Firm, a.]

1. Not firm or sound; weak; feeble; as, an infirm body; an infirm constitution. A poor, infirm, weak, and despised old man. Shak.

2. Weak of mind or will; irresolute; vacillating. "An infirm judgment." Burke. Infirm of purpose! Shak.

3. Not solid or stable; insecure; precarious. He who fixes on false principles treads or infirm ground. South.

Syn. -- Debilitated; sickly; feeble; decrepit; weak; enfeebled; irresolute; vacillating; imbecile.

INFIRM In*firm", v. t. Etym: [L. infirmare : cf. F.infirmer.]

Defn: To weaken; to enfeeble. [Obs.] Sir W. Raleigh.

INFIRMARIAN In`fir*ma"ri*an, n.

Defn: A person dwelling in, or having charge of, an infirmary, esp. in a monastic institution.

INFIRMARY In*firm"a*ry, n.; pl. Infirmaries. Etym: [Cf. OE. fermerie, OF. enfermerie, F. infirmerie, LL. infirmaria. See Infirm.]

Defn: A hospital, or place where the infirm or sick are lodged and nursed gratuitously, or where out-patients are treated.

INFIRMATIVE In*firm"a*tive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. infirmatif.]

Defn: Weakening; annulling, or tending to make void. [Obs.]

INFIRMATORY In*firm"a*to*ry, n.

Defn: An infirmary. [Obs.]

INFIRMITY In*firm"i*ty, n.; pl. Infirmities. Etym: [L. infirmitas : cf. F. infirmite. See Infirm, a.]

1. The state of being infirm; feebleness; an imperfection or weakness; esp., an unsound, unhealthy, or debilitated state; a disease; a malady; as, infirmity of body or mind. 'T is the infirmity of his age. Shak.

2. A personal frailty or failing; foible; eccentricity; a weakness or defect. Will you be cured of your infirmity Shak. A friend should bear his friend's infirmities. Shak. The house has also its infirmities. Evelyn.

Syn. -- Debility; imbecility; weakness; feebleness; failing; foible; defect; disease; malady. See Debility.

INFIRMLY In*firm"ly, adv.

Defn: In an infirm manner.

INFIRMNESS In*firm"ness, n.

Defn: Infirmity; feebleness. Boyle.

INFIX In*fix", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Infixed; p. pr. & vb. n. Infixing.] Etym: [L. infixus, p.p of infigere to infix; pref. in- in + figere to fix: cf. F. infixer. See Fix.]

1. To set; to fasten or fix by piercing or thrusting in; as, to infix a sting, spear, or dart. Shak. The fatal dart a ready passage found, And deep within her heart infixed the wound. Dryden.

2. To implant or fix; to instill; to inculcate, as principles, thoughts, or instructions; as, to infix good principles in the mind, or ideas in the memory.

INFIX In"fix, n.

Defn: Something infixed. [R.] Welsford.

INFLAME In*flame", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inflamed; p. pr. & vb. n. Inflaming.] Etym: [OE. enflamen, OF. enflamer, F. enflammer, L. inflammare,inflammatum; pref.in- in + flammare to flame, fr.flamma flame. See Flame.]

1. To set on fire; to kindle; to cause to burn, flame, or glow. We should have made retreat By light of the inflamed fleet. Chapman.

2. Fig.: To kindle or intensify, as passion or appetite; to excite to an excessive or unnatural action or heat; as, to inflame desire. Though more,it seems, Inflamed with lust than rage. Milton. But, O inflame and fire our hearts. Dryden.

3. To provoke to anger or rage; to exasperate; to irritate; to incense; to enrage. It will inflame you; it will make you mad. Shak.

4. (Med.)

Defn: To put in a state of inflammation; to produce morbid heat, congestion, or swelling, of; as, to inflame the eyes by overwork.

5. To exaggerate; to enlarge upon. [Obs.] A friend exaggerates a man's virtues, an enemy inflames his crimes. Addison.

Syn. -- To provoke; fire; kindle; irritate; exasperate; incense; enrage; anger; excite; arouse.

INFLAME In*flame", v. i.

Defn: To grow morbidly hot, congested, or painful; to become angry or incensed. Wiseman.

INFLAMED In*flamed", p. a.

1. Set on fire; enkindled; heated; congested; provoked; exasperated.

2. (Her.)

Defn: Represented as burning, or as adorned with tongues of flame.

INFLAMER In*flam"er (n-flam''r), n.

Defn: The person or thing that inflames. Addison.

INFLAMMABILLTY In*flam"ma*bil"l*ty, n. Etym: [Cf.F. inflammabilite.]

Defn: Susceptibility of taking fire readily; the state or quality of being inflammable.

INFLAMMABLE In*flam"ma*ble, a. Etym: [CF. F. inflammable.]

1. Capable of being easily set fire; easily enkindled; combustible; as, inflammable oils or spirits.

2. Excitable; irritable; irascible; easily provoked; as, an inflammable temper. Inflammable air, the old chemical name for hydrogen.

INFLAMMABLENESS In*flam"ma*ble*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being inflammable; inflammability. Boyle.

INFLAMMABLY In*flam"ma*bly, adv.

Defn: In an inflammable manner.

INFLAMMATION In*flam*ma"tion, n. Etym: [L. inflammatio: cf. F. inflammation. See Inflame.]

1. The act of inflaming, kindling, or setting on fire; also, the state of being inflamed. "The inflammation of fat." Wilkins.

2. (Med.)

Defn: A morbid condition of any part of the body, consisting in congestion of the blood vessels, with obstruction of the blood current, and growth of morbid tissue. It is manifested outwardly by redness and swelling, attended with heat and pain.

3. Violent excitement; heat; passion; animosity; turbulence; as, an inflammation of the mind, of the body politic, or of parties. Hooker.

INFLAMMATIVE In*flam"ma*tive, a.

Defn: Inflammatory.

INFLAMMATORY In*flam"ma*to*ry, a. Etym: [Cf. F. inflammatoire.]

1. Tending to inflame, kindle, or irritate.

2. Tending to excite anger, animosity, tumult, or sedition; seditious; as, inflammatory libels, writings, speeches, or publications. Burke.

3. (Med.)

Defn: Accompanied with, or tending to cause, preternatural heat and excitement of arterial action; as, an inflammatory disease. Inflammatory crust. (Med.) Same as Buffy coat, under Buffy. -- Inflammatory fever, a variety of fever due to inflammation.

INFLATABLE In*flat"a*ble, a.

Defn: That may be inflated.

INFLATE In*flate", p. a. Etym: [L. inflatus, p.p. of inflare to inflate; pref. in- in + flare to blow. See Blow to puff wind.]

Defn: Blown in; inflated. Chaucer.

INFLATE In*flate", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inflated; p. pr. & vb. n. Inflating.]

1. To swell or distend with air or gas; to dilate; to expand; to enlarge; as, to inflate a bladder; to inflate the lungs. When passion's tumults in the bosom rise, Inflate the features, and enrage the eyes. J. Scott of Amwell.

2. Fig.: To swell; to puff up; to elate; as, to inflate one with pride or vanity. Inflate themselves with some insane delight. Tennyson.

3. To cause to become unduly expanded or increased; as, to inflate the currency.

INFLATE In*flate", v. i.

Defn: To expand; to fill; to distend.

INFLATED In*flat"ed, a.

1. Filled, as with air or gas; blown up; distended; as, a balloon inflated with gas.

2. Turgid; swelling; puffed up; bombastic; pompous; as, an inflated style. Inflated and astrut with self-conceit. Cowper.

3. (Bot.)

Defn: Hollow and distended, as a perianth, corolla, nectary, or pericarp. Martyn.

4. Distended or enlarged fictitiously; as, inflated prices, etc.

INFLATER In*flat"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, inflates; as, the inflaters of the stock exchange.

INFLATINGLY In*flat"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: In a manner tending to inflate.

INFLATION In*fla"tion, n. Etym: [L. inflatio: cf. F. inflation.]

1. The act or process of inflating, or the state of being inflated, as with air or gas; distention; expansion; enlargement. Boyle.

2. The state of being puffed up, as with pride; conceit; vanity. B. Jonson.

3. Undue expansion or increase, from overissue; -- said of currency. [U.S.]

INFLATIONIST In*fla"tion*ist, n.

Defn: One who favors an increased or very large issue of paper money. [U.S.]

INFLATUS In*fla"tus, n. Etym: [L. See Inflate, v. t.]

Defn: A blowing or breathing into; inflation; inspiration. The divine breath that blows the nostrils out To ineffable inflatus. Mrs. Browning.

INFLECT In*flect", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inflected; p. pr. & vb. n. Inflecting.] Etym: [L. inflectere, inflexum; pref. in.- in + flectere to bend. See Flexibl, and cf. Inflex.]

1. To turn from a direct line or course; to bend; to incline, to deflect; to curve; to bow. Are they [the rays of the sun] not reflected, refracted, and inflected by one and the same principle Sir I. Newton.

2. (Gram.)

Defn: To vary, as a noun or a verb in its terminations; to decline, as a noun or adjective, or to conjugate, as a verb.

3. To modulate, as the voice.

INFLECTED In*flect"ed, a.

1. Bent; turned; deflected.

2. (Gram.)

Defn: Having inflections; capable of, or subject to, inflection; inflective. Inflected cycloid (Geom.), a prolate cycloid. See Cycloid.

INFLECTION In*flec"tion, n. Etym: [L. inflexio : cf. F. inflexion. See Inflect.] [Written also inflecxion.]

1. The act of inflecting, or the state of being inflected.

2. A bend; a fold; a curve; a turn; a twist.

3. A slide, modulation, or accent of the voice; as, the rising and the falling inflection.

4. (Gram.)

Defn: The variation or change which words undergo to mark case, gender, number, comparison, tense, person, mood, voice, etc.

5. (Mus.) (a) Any change or modification in the pitch or tone of the voice. (b) A departure from the monotone, or reciting note, in chanting.

6. (Opt.)

Defn: Same as Diffraction. Point of inflection (Geom.), the point on opposite sides of which a curve bends in contrary ways.

INFLECTIONAL In*flec"tion*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to inflection; having, or characterized by, inflection. Max Müller.

INFLECTIVE In*flect"ive, a.

1. Capable of, or pertaining to, inflection; deflecting; as, the inflective quality of the air. Derham.

2. (Gram.)

Defn: Inflectional; characterized by variation, or change in form, to mark case, tense, etc.; subject to inflection. Inflective language (Philol.), a language like the Greek or Latin, consisting largely of stems with variable terminations or suffixes which were once independent words. English is both agglutinative, as, manlike, headache, and inflective, as, he, his, him. Cf. Agglutinative.

INFLESH In*flesh", v. t.

Defn: To incarnate.

INFLEX In*flex", v. t. Etym: [Cf. Flex, Inflect.]

Defn: To bend; to cause to become curved; to make crooked; to deflect. J. Philips.

INFLEXED In*flexed", a.

1. Turned; bent. Feltham.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Bent or turned abruptly inwards, or toward the axis, as the petals of a flower.

INFLEXIBILITY In*flex"i*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. inflexibilité.]

Defn: The quality or state of being inflexible, or not capable of being bent or changed; unyielding stiffness; inflexibleness; rigidity; firmness of will or purpose; unbending pertinacity; steadfastness; resoluteness; unchangeableness; obstinacy. The inflexibility of mechanism. A. Baxter. That grave inflexibility of soul. Churchill. The purity and inflexibility of their faith. T. Warton.

INFLEXIBLE In*flex"i*ble, a. Etym: [L. inflexiblis: cf. F. inflexible. See In- not, and Flexible.]

1. Not capable of being bent; stiff; rigid; firm; unyielding.

2. Firm in will or purpose; not to be turned, changed, or altered; resolute; determined; unyieding; inexorable; stubborn. "Inflexibleas steel." Miltom. Amanof upright and inflexibletemper . . . can overcome all private fear. Addison.

3. Incapable of change; unalterable; immutable. The nature of things is inflexible. I. Watts.

Syn. -- -- Unbending; unyielding; rigid; inexorable; pertinacious; obstinate; stubborn; unrelenting.

INFLEXIBLENESS In*flex"i*ble*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being inflexible; inflexibility; rigidity; firmness.

INFLEXIBLY In*flex"i*bly, adv.

Defn: In an inflexible manner.

INFLEXION In*flex"ion, n.

Defn: Inflection.

INFLEXIVE In*flex"ive, a.

1. Inflective. "Inflexive endings." W. E. Jelf.

2. Inflexible. [R.] "Foes inflexive." Chapman.

INFLEXURE In*flex"ure, n.

Defn: An inflection; a bend or fold. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

INFLICT In*flict", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inflicted; p. pr. & vb. n. Inflicting.] Etym: [L. inflictus, p.p. of infligere to strike on, to inflict; pref. in- in, on + fligere to strike. Cf. Flail.]

Defn: To give, cause, or produce by striking, or as if by striking; to apply forcibly; to lay or impose; to send; to cause to bear, feel, or suffer; as, to inflict blows; to inflict a wound with a dagger; to inflict severe pain by ingratitude; to inflict punishment on an offender; to inflict the penalty of death on a criminal. What heart could wish, what hand inflict, this dire disgrace Drygen. The persecution and the pain That man inflicts on infero-ior kinds. Cowper.

INFLICTER In*flict"er, n.

Defn: One who inflicts. Godis the sole and immadiate inflicter of such strokes. South.

INFLICTION In*flic"tion, n. Etym: [L. inflictio: cf. F. infliction.]

1. The act of inflicting or imposing; as, the infliction of torment, or of punishment.

2. That which is inflicted or imposed, as punishment, disgrace, calamity, etc. His severest inflictions are in themselves acts of justice and righteousness. Rogers.

INFLICTIVE In*flict"ive, a. Etym: [Cf.F. inflictif.]

Defn: Causing infliction; acting as an infliction. Whitehead.

INFLORESCENCE In`flo*res"cence, n. Etym: [L. inflorescens, p.pr. of inflorescere to begin to blossom; pref. in- in + florescere to begin to blossom: cf.F. inflorescence. See Florescent.]

1. A flowering; the putting forth and unfolding of blossoms.

2. (Bot.) (a) The mode of flowering, or the general arrangement and disposition of the flowers with reference to the axis, and to each other. (b) An axis on which all the flower buds. Inflorescence affords an excellent characteristic mark in distinguishing the species of plants. Milne. Centrifugal inflorescence, determinate inflorescence. -- Centripetal inflorescence, indeterminate inflorescence. See under Determinate, and Indeterminate.

INFLOW In*flow", v. i.

Defn: To flow in. Wiseman.

INFLUENCE In"flu*ence, n. Etym: [F. influence, fr. L. influens, -entis, p.pr. See Influent, and cf. Influenza.]

1. A flowing in or upon; influx. [Obs.] God hath his influence into the very essence of all things. Hooker.

2. Hence, in general, the bringing about of an effect, phusical or moral, by a gradual process; controlling power quietly exerted; agency, force, or tendency of any kind which the sun exerts on animal and vegetable life; the influence of education on the mind; the influence, according to astrologers,of the stars over affairs. Astrologers call the evil influences of the stars,evil aspects. Bacon. Cantsthou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion Job xxxviii. 31. She said : influence bad " Spenser.

3. Power or authority arising from elevated station, excelence of character or intellect, wealth, etc.; reputation; acknowledged ascendency; as, he is a man of influence in the community. Such influence hath your excellency. Sir P. Sidney.

4. (Elec.)

Defn: Induction.

Syn. -- Control; persuasion; ascendency; sway; power; authority; supremacy; mastery; management; restraint; character; reputation; prestige.

INFLUENCE In"flu*ence, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Influenced; p. pr. & vb. n. Influencing.]

Defn: To control or move by power, physical or moral; to affect by gentle action; to exert an influence upon; to modify, bias, or sway; to move; to persuade; to induce. Theseexperiments succeed after the same manner in vacuo as in the open air,and therefore are not influenced by the weight or pressure of the atmosphere. Sir I. Newton. This standing revelation . . . is sufficient to influence their faith and practice, if they attend. Attebury. The principle which influenced their obedience has lost its efficacy. Rogers.

INFLUENCER In"flu*en*cer, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, influences.

INFLUENCIVE In"flu*en*cive, a.

Defn: Tending toinfluence; influential.

INFLUENT In"flu*ent, a. Etym: [L. influens, -entis, p. pr. of influere, influxum, to flow in; pref. in- in + fluere to flow. See Fluid.]

1. Flowing in. "With influent tide." Cowper. "Influent odors." Mrs. Browning.

2. Exerting influence; influential. [Obs.] I find no office by name assigned unto Dr.Cox, who was virtually influent upon all, and most active. Fuller.

INFLUENTIAL In`flu*en"tial, a. Etym: [See Influence.]

Defn: Exerting or possessing influence or power; potent; efficacious; effective; strong; having authority or ascendency; as, an influential man, station, argument, etc. A very influential Gascon prefix. Earle.

INFLUENTIALLY In`flu*en"tial*ly, adv.

Defn: In an influential manner.

INFLUENZA In`flu*en"za, n. Etym: [It. influenza influence, an epidemic formerly attributed by astrologers to the influence of the heavenly bodies, influenza. See Influence.] (Med.)

Defn: An epidemic affection characterized by acute nasal catarrh, or by inflammation of the throat or the bronchi, and usually accompanied by fever.

INFLUX In"flux`, n. Etym: [L. influxus, fr. influere, influxum, to flow in: cf. F. influx. See Influent.]

1. The act of flowing in; as, an influx of light.

2. A coming in; infusion; intromission; introduction; importation in abundance; also, that which flows or comes in; as, a great influx of goods into a country, or an influx of gold and silver. The influx of food into the Celtic region, however, was far from keeping pace with the influx of consumers. Macaulau. The general influx of Greek into modern languages. Earle.

3. Influence; power. [Obs.] Sir M. Hale.

INFLUXION In*flux"ion, n. Etym: [L. influxio : cf. F. influxion.]

Defn: A flowing in; infusion. [R.] Bacon.

INFLUXIOUS In*flux"ious, a.

Defn: Influential. [Obs.]

INFLUXIVE In*flux"ive, a.

Defn: Having a tendency to flow in; having influence; influential. [R.] Holdsworth.

INFLUXIVELY In*flux"ive*ly, adv.

Defn: By influxion. [R.]

INFOLD In*fold" (n-fld''), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Infolded; p. pr. & vb. n. Infolding.] Etym: [Pref. in- in + fold.] [Written also enfold.]

1. To wrap up or cover with folds; to envelop; to inwrap; to inclose; to involve. Gilded tombs do worms infold. Shak. Infold his limbs in bands. Blackmore.

2. To clasp with the arms; to embrace. Noble Banquo, . . . let me infold thee, And hold thee to my heart. Shak.

INFOLDMENT In*fold"ment, n.

Defn: The act of infolding; the state of being infolded.

INFOLIATE In*fo"li*ate, v. t. Etym: [Pref. in- in + L. folium leaf.]

Defn: To cover or overspread with, or as with, leaves. [R.] Howell.

INFORM In*form", a. Etym: [L. informis; pref. in- not + forma form, shape: cf. F. informe]

Defn: Without regular form; shapeless; ugly; deformed. Cotton.

INFORM In*form", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Informed; p. pr. & vb. n. Informing.] Etym: [OE. enformen, OF. enformer, F. informer. L. informare; pref. in- in + formare to form, share, fr. forma form. See Form.]

1. To give form or share to; to give vital ororganizing power to; to give life to; to imbue and actuate with vitality; to animate; to mold; to figure; to fashion. "The informing Word." Coleridge. Let others better mold the running mass Of metals, and inform the breathing brass. Dryden. Breath informs this fleeting frame. Prior. Breathes in our soul,informs our mortal part. Pope.

2. To communicate knowledge to; to make known to; to acquaint; to advise; to instruct; to tell; to notify; to enlighten; -- usually followed by of. For he would learn their business secretly, And then inform his master hastily. Spenser. I am informed thoroughky of the cause. Shak.

3. To communicate a knowledge of facts to,by way of accusation; to warn against anybody. Tertullus . . . informed the governor against Paul. Acts xxiv. 1.

Syn. -- To acquaint; apprise; tell; teach; instruct; enlighten; animate; fashion.

INFORM In*form", v. t.