Chapter CCXXXIV: Foreword: Fore"word`, n (55)

INRO In"ro, n. [Jap. inro; in seal + ro box.]

Defn: A small closed receptacle or set of receptacles of hard material, as lacquered wood, iron, bronze, or ivory, used by the Japanese to hold medicines, perfumes, and the like, and carried in the girdle. It is usually secured by a silk cord by which the wearer may grasp it, which cord passes through an ornamental button or knob called a netsuke.

INROAD In"road`, n.

Defn: The entrance of an enemy into a country with purposes of hostility; a sudden or desultory incursion or invasion; raid; encroachment. The loss of Shrewsbury exposed all North Wales to the daily inroads of the enemy. Clarendon. With perpetual inroads to alarm, Though inaccessible, his fatal throne. Milton.

Syn. -- Invasion; incursion; irruption. See Invasion.

INROAD In*road", v.t [imp. & p. p. Inroaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Inroading.]

Defn: To make an inroad into; to invade. [Obs.] The Saracens . . . conquered Spain, inroaded Aquitaine. Fuller.

INROLL In*roll", v. t.

Defn: See Enroll.

INRUNNING In"run`ning, n.

Defn: The act or the place of entrance; an inlet. Tennyson.

INRUSH In"rush`, n.

Defn: A rush inwards; as, the inrush of the tide. G. Eliot.

INRUSH In*rush", v. i.

Defn: To rush in. [Obs.] Holland.

INSABBATATI In*sab`ba*ta"ti, n. pl. Etym: [LL. Insabatati. See 1st In-, and Sabot.]

Defn: The Waldenses; -- so called from their peculiary cut or marked sabots, or shoes.

INSAFETY In*safe"ty, n.

Defn: Insecurity; danger. [Obs.]

INSALIVATION In*sal`i*va"tion, n. (Physiol.)

Defn: The mixing of the food with the saliva and other secretions of the mouth in eating.

INSALUBRIOUS In`sa*lu"bri*ous, a. Etym: [Pref. in- not + salubrious: cf. L. insalubris, F. insalubre.]

Defn: Not salubrious or healthful; unwholesome; as, an insalubrious air or climate.

INSALUBRITY In`sa*lu"bri*ty, n. Etym: [Cf.F. insalubrite.]

Defn: Unhealthfulness; unwholesomeness; as, the insalubrity of air, water, or climate. Boyle.

INSALUTARY In*sal"u*ta*ry, a. Etym: [L. insaluteris : cf. F. insalutaire. See In- not, and Salutary.]

1. Not salutary or wholesome; unfavorable to health.

2. Not tending to safety; productive of evil.

INSANABILITY In*san`a*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: The state of being insanable or incurable; insanableness.

INSANABLE In*san"a*ble, a. Etym: [L. insanabilis; cf. OF. insanable. See In- not, and Sanable.]

Defn: Not capable of being healed; incurable; irremediable.

INSANABLENESS In*san"a*ble*ness, n.

Defn: The state of being insanable; insanability; incurableness.

INSANABLY In*san"a*bly, adv.

Defn: In an incurable manner.

INSANE In*sane", a. Etym: [L. insanus. See In- not, and Sane.]

1. Exhibiting unsoundness or disorded of mind; not sane; mad; deranged in mind; delirious; distracted. See Insanity, 2.

2. Used by, or appropriated to, insane persons; as, an insane hospital.

3. Causing insanity or madness. [R.] Or have we eaten on the insaneroot That takes the reason prisoner Shak.

4. Characterized by insanity or the utmost folly; chimerical; unpractical; as, an insane plan, attempt, etc. I know not which was the insane measure. Southey.

INSANELY In*sane"ly, adv.

Defn: Without reason; madly; foolishly.

INSANENESS In*sane"ness, n.

Defn: Insanity; madness.

INSANIATE In*sa"ni*ate, v. t.

Defn: To render unsound; to make mad. [Obs.] Feltham.

INSANIE In*sa"nie, n.

Defn: Insanity. [Obs.] Shak.

INSANITARY In*san"i*ta*ry, a.

Defn: Not sanitary; unhealthy; as, insanitary conditions of drainage.

INSANITATION In*san`i*ta"tion, n.

Defn: Lack of sanitation; careless or dangerous hygienic conditions.

INSANITY In*san"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. insanitas unsoundness; cf. insania insanity, F. insanite.]

1. The state of being insane; unsoundness or derangement of mind; madness; lunacy. All power of fancy overreason is a degree of insanity. Johnson. Without grace The heart's insanity admits no cure. Cowper.

2. (Law)

Defn: Such a mental condition, as, either from the existence of delusions, or from incapacity to distinguish between right and wrong, with regard to any matter under action, does away with individual responsibility.

Syn. - Insanity, Lunacy, Madness, Derangement, Aliention, Aberration, Mania, Delirium, Frenzy, Monomania, Dementia. Insanity is the generic term for all such diseases; lunacy has now an equal extent of meaning, though once used to denote periodical insanity; madness has the same extent, though originally referring to the rage created by the disease; derangement, alienation, are popular terms for insanity; delirium, mania, and frenzy denote excited states of the disease; dementia denotes the loss of mental power by this means; monomania is insanity upon a single subject.

INSAPORY In*sa"po*ry, a. Etym: [Pref. in- not + sapor.]

Defn: Tasteless; unsavory. [R.] Sir T. Herbert.

INSATIABILITY In*sa`tia*bil"i*ty, n., Etym: [L. insatiabilitas; cf. F. insatiabilite.]

Defn: The state or quality of being insatiable; insatiableness. Eagerness for increase of possession deluges the soul, and we sink into the gulfs of insatiability. Rambler.

INSATIABLE In*sa"tia*ble, a. Etym: [F. insatiable, L. ionsatiabilis. See In- not, and Satiable.]

Defn: Not satiable; incapable of being satisfied or appeased; very greedy; as, an insatiable appetite, thirst, or desire. "Insatiable of glory." Milton.

INSATIABLENESS In*sa"tia*ble*ness, n.

Defn: Greediness of appetite that can not be satisfied or appeased; insatiability. The eye of the covetous hath a more particular insatiableness. Bp. Hall.

INSATIABLY In*sa"tia*bly, adv.

Defn: In an insatiable manner or degree; unappeasably. "Insatiably covetous." South.

INSATIATE In*sa"ti*ate, a. Etym: [L. insatiatus.]

Defn: Insatiable; as, insatiate thirst. The insatiate greediness of his desires. Shak. And still insatiate, thirsting still for blood. Hook.

INSATIATELY In*sa"ti*ate*ly, adv.

Defn: Insatiably. Sir T. Herbert.

INSATIATENESS In*sa"ti*ate*ness, n.

Defn: The state of being insatiate.

INSATIETY In`sa*ti"e*ty, n. Etym: [L. insatietas: cf. F. insatiete. See Satiety.]

Defn: Insatiableness. T. Grander.

INSATISFACTION In*sat`is*fac"tion, n.

1. Insufficiency; emptiness. [Obs.] Bacon.

2. Dissatisfaction. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

INSATURABLE In*sat"u*ra*ble, a. Etym: [L. insaturabilis: cf. F. insaturable. See In- not, and Saturable.]

Defn: Not capable of being saturated or satisfied.

INSCIENCE In"science, n. Etym: [L. inscientia: cf.F. inscience.]

Defn: Want of knowledge; ignorance. [Obs.]

INSCIENT In"scient, a. Etym: [L. insciens, -entis, ignorant. See In- not, and Scient, Science.]

Defn: Having little or no knowledge; ignorant; stupid; silly. [R.] N. Bacon.

INSCIENT In"scient, a. Etym: [Pref. in- in + L. sciens knowing.]

Defn: Having knowledge or insight; intelligent. [R.] Gaze on, with inscient vision, toward the sun. Mrs. Browning.

INSCONCE In*sconce", v. t.

Defn: See Ensconce.

INSCRIBABLE In*scrib"a*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being inscribed, -- used specif. (Math.) of solids or plane figures capable of being inscribed in other solids or figures.

INSCRIBABLENESS In*scrib"a*ble*ness, n.

Defn: Quality of being inscribable.

INSCRIBE In*scribe", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inscribed; p. pr. & vb. n. Inscribing.] Etym: [L. inscribere. See 1st In-, and Scribe.]

1. To write or engrave; to mark down as something to be read; to imprint. Inscribe a verse on this relenting stone. Pope.

2. To mark with letters, charakters, or words. O let thy once lov'd friend inscribe thy stone. Pope.

3. To assign or address to; to commend to by a shot address; to dedicate informally; as, to inscribe an ode to a friend. Dryden.

4. To imprint deeply; to impress; to stamp; as, to inscribe a sentence on the memory.

5. (Geom.)

Defn: To draw within so as to meet yet not cut the boundaries.

Note: A line is inscribed in a circle, or in a sphere, when its two ends are in the circumference of the circle, or in the surface of the sphere. A triangle is inscribed in another triangle, when the three angles of the former are severally on the three sides of the latter. A circle is inscribed in a polygon, when it touches each side of the polygon. A sphere is inscribed in a polyhedron, when the sphere touches each boundary plane of the polyhedron. The latter figure in each case is circumscribed about the former.

INSCRIBER In*scrib"er, n.

Defn: One who inscribes. Pownall.

INSCRIPTIBLE In*scrip"ti*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being inscribed; inscribable.

INSCRIPTION In*scrip"tion, n. Etym: [L. inscriptio, fr.inscribere, inscriptum, to inscribe: cf. F. inscription. See Inscribe.]

1. The act or process of inscribing.

2. That which is inscribed; something written or engraved; especially, a word or words written or engraved on a solid substance for preservation or public inspection; as, inscriptions on monuments, pillars, coins, medals, etc.

3. (Anat.)

Defn: A line of division or intersection; as, the tendinous inscriptions, or intersections, of a muscle.

4. An address, consignment, or informal dedication, as of a book to a person, as a mark of respect or an invitation of patronage.

INSCRIPTIVE In*scrip"tive, a.

Defn: Bearing inscription; of the character or nature of an inscription.

INSCROLL In*scroll", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inscrolled; p. pr. & vb. n. Inscrolling.]

Defn: To write on a scroll; to record. [Written also inscrol.] Shak.

INSCRUTABILITY In*scru`ta*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being inscrutable; inscrutableness.

INSCRUTABLE In*scru"ta*ble, a. Etym: [L. inscrutabilis : cf. F. inscrutable. See In- not, and Scrutiny.]

Defn: Unsearchable; incapable of being searched into and understood by inquiry or study; impossible or difficult to be explained or accounted for satisfactorily; obscure; incomprehensible; as, an inscrutable design or event. 'T is not in man To yield a reason for the will of Heaven Which is inscrutable. Beau. & Fl. Waiving a question so inscrutable as this. De Quincey.

INSCRUTABLENESS In*scru"ta*ble*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being inscrutable; inscrutability.

INSCRUTABLY In*scru"ta*bly, adv.

Defn: In an inscrutable manner.

INSCULP In*sculp", v. t. Etym: [L. insculpere: cf. F. insculper. See 1st In-, and Sculptor.]

Defn: To engrave; to carve; to sculpture. [Obs. & R.] Shak. Which he insculped in two likely stones. Drayton.

INSCULPTION In*sculp"tion, n.

Defn: Inscription. [Obs.]

INSCULPTURE In*sculp"ture, n.

Defn: An engraving, carving, or inscription. [Obs.] On his gravestone this insculpture. Shak.

INSCULPTURED In*sculp"tured, p. a.

Defn: Engraved. Glover.

INSEAM In*seam", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inseamed; p. pr. & vb. n. Inseaming.]

Defn: To impress or mark with a seam or cicatrix. Pope.

INSEARCH In*search", v. t.

Defn: To make search after; to investigate or examine; to ensearch. [Obs.]

INSECABLE In*sec"a*ble, a. Etym: [L. insecabilis; pref. in- not + secabilis that may be cut: cf. F. insecable.]

Defn: Incapable of being divided by cutting; indivisible.

INSECT In"sect, n. Etym: [F.insecte, L. insectum, fr. insectus, p.p. of insecare to cut in. See Section. The name was originally given to certain small animals, whose bodies appear cut in, or almost divided. Cf. Entomology.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the Insecta; esp., one of the Hexapoda. See Insecta.

Note: The hexapod insects pass through three stages during their growth, viz., the larva, pupa, and imago or adult, but in some of the orders the larva differs little from the imago, except in lacking wings, and the active pupa is very much like the larva, except in having rudiments of wings. In the higher orders, the larva is usually a grub, maggot, or caterpillar, totally unlike the adult, while the pupa is very different from both larva and imago and is inactive, taking no food.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any air-breathing arthropod, as a spider or scorpion.

3. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any small crustacean. In a wider sense, the word is often loosely applied to various small invertebrates.

4. Fig.: Any small, trivial, or contemptible person or thing. Thomson. Insect powder,a powder used for the extermination of insects; esp., the powdered flowers of certain species of Pyrethrum, a genus now merged in Chrysanthemum. Called also Persian powder.

INSECT In"sect, a.

1. Of or pertaining to an insect or insects.

2. Like an insect; small; mean; ephemeral.

INSECTA In*sec"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Insect.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the classes of Arthropoda, including those that have one pair of antennæ, three pairs of mouth organs, and breathe air by means of tracheæ, opening by spiracles along the sides of the body. In this sense it includes the Hexapoda, or six-legged insects and the Myriapoda, with numerous legs. See Insect, n.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: In a more restricted sense, the Hexapoda alone. See Hexapoda.

3. (Zoöl.)

Defn: In the most general sense, the Hexapoda, Myriapoda, and Arachnoidea, combined.

Note: The typical Insecta, or hexapod insects, are divided into several orders, viz.: Hymenoptera, as the bees and ants; Diptera, as the common flies and gnats; Aphaniptera, or fleas; Lepidoptera, or moths and butterflies; Neuroptera, as the ant-lions and hellgamite; Coleoptera, or beetles; Hemiptera, as bugs, lice, aphids; Orthoptera, as grasshoppers and cockroaches; Pseudoneuroptera, as the dragon flies and termites; Euplexoptera, or earwings; Thysanura, as the springtails, podura, and lepisma. See these words in the Vocabulary.

INSECTARY In"sec*ta*ry, n.

Defn: A place for keeping living insects. -- In`sec*ta"ri*um, n. Etym: [L.]

INSECTATION In`sec*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. insectatio. See Insectator.]

Defn: The act of pursuing; pursuit; harassment; persecution. [Obs.] Sir T. More.

INSECTATOR In`sec*ta"tor, n. Etym: [L., fr. insectari to pursue, freq. fr. insequi. See Ensue.]

Defn: A pursuer; a persecutor; a censorious critic. [Obs.] Bailey.

INSECTED In"sect*ed, a.

Defn: Pertaining to, having the nature of, or resembling, an insect. Howell.

INSECTICIDE In*sec"ti*cide, n. Etym: [Insect + L. caedere to kill.]

Defn: An agent or preparation for destroying insects; an insect powder. -- In*sec"ti*ci`dal, a.

INSECTILE In*sec"tile, a.

Defn: Pertaining to, or having the nature of, insects. Bacon.

INSECTION In*sec"tion, n. Etym: [See Insect.]

Defn: A cutting in; incisure; incision.

INSECTIVORA In`sec*tiv"o*ra, n. pl. Etym: [NL., from L. insectum an insect + vorare to devour.] (Zoöl.)

1. An order of mammals which feed principally upon insects.

Note: They are mostly of small size, and their molar teeth have sharp cusps. Most of the species burrow in the earth, and many of those of cold climates hibernate in winter. The order includes the moles, shrews, hedgehogs, tanrecs, and allied animals, also the colugo.

2. A division of the Cheiroptera, including the common or insect- eating bats.

INSECTIVORE In*sec"ti*vore, n.; pl. Insectivores (-vorz). Etym: [F.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the Insectivora.

INSECTIVOROUS In`sec*tiv"o*rous, a. Etym: [See Insectivora.]

Defn: Feeding or subsisting on insects; carnivorous. The term is applied: (a) to

Defn: plants which have some special adaptation for catching and digesting insects, as the sundew, Venus's flytrap, Sarracenia, etc. (b) to

Defn: the Insectivora, and to many bats, birds, and reptiles.

INSECTOLOGER In`sec*tol"o*ger, n.

Defn: An entomologist. [Obs.]

INSECTOLOGY In`sec*tol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Insect + -logy: cf. F. insectologie.]

Defn: Entomology. [Obs.]

INSECURE In`se*cure", a.

1. Not secure; not confident of safety or permanence; distrustful; suspicious; apprehensive of danger or loss. With sorrow and insecure apprehensions. Jer. Taylor.

2. Not effectually guarded, protected, or sustained; unsafe; unstable; exposed to danger or loss. Bp. Hurg. The trade with Egypt was exceedingly insecure and precarious. Mickle.

INSECURELY In`se*cure"ly, adv.

Defn: In an insecure manner.

INSECURENESS In`se*cure"ness, n.

Defn: Insecurity.

INSECURITY In`se*cu"ri*ty, n.; pl. Insecurities. Etym: [Pref.in- not + security : cf. LL. insecuritas, F. insecurite.]

1. The condition or quality of being insecure; want of safety; danger; hazard; as, the insecurity of a building liable to fire; insecurity of a debt.

2. The state of feeling insecure; uncertainty; want of confidence. With what insecurity of truth we ascribe effects . . . unto arbitrary calculations. Sir T. Browne. A time of insecurity, when interests of all sorts become objects of speculation. Burke.

INSECUTION In`se*cu"tion, n. Etym: [L. insecutio, fr. insequi p. p. insecutus. See Ensue.]

Defn: A following after; close pursuit. [Obs.] Chapman.

INSEMINATE In*sem"i*nate, v. t. Etym: [L. inseminatus, p. p. of inseminare to sow. See Seminate.]

Defn: To sow; to impregnate. [Obs.]

INSEMINATION In*sem`i*na"tion, n.

Defn: A sowing. [Obs.]

INSENSATE In*sen"sate, a. Etym: [L. insensatus. See In- not, and Sensate.]

Defn: Wanting sensibility; destitute of sense; stupid; foolish. The silence and the calm Of mute, insensate things. Wordsworth. The meddling folly or insensate ambition of statesmen. Buckle. -- In*sen"sate*ly, adv. -- In*sen"sate*ness, n.

INSENSE In*sense", v. t. Etym: [Pref. in- in + sense.]

Defn: To make to understand; to instruct. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

INSENSIBILITY In*sen`si*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. insensibilité.]

1. The state or quality of being insensible; want of sensibility; torpor; unconsciousness; as, the insensibility produced by a fall, or by opiates.

2. Want of tenderness or susceptibility of emotion or passion; dullness; stupidity.

Syn. -- Dullness; numbness; unfeelingness; stupidity; torpor; apathy; impassiveness; indifference.

INSENSIBLE In*sen"si*ble, a. Etym: [L. insensibilis: cf. F. insensible. See In- not, and Sensible.]

1. Destitute of the power of feeling or perceiving; wanting bodily sensibility. Milton.

2. Not susceptible of emotion or passion; void of feeling; apathetic; unconcerned; indifferent; as, insensible to danger, fear, love, etc.; -- often used with of or to. Accept an obligation without being a slave to the giver, or insensible to his kindness. Sir H. Wotton. Lost in their loves, insensible of shame. Dryden.

3. Incapable of being perceived by the senses; imperceptible. Hence: Progressing by imperceptible degrees; slow; gradual; as, insensible motion. Two small and almost insensible pricks were found upon Cleopatra's arm. Sir T. Browne. They fall away, And languish with insensible decay. Dryden.

4. Not sensible or reasonable; meaningless. [Obs.] If it make the indictment be insensible or uncertain, it shall be quashed. Sir M. Hale.

Syn. -- Imperceptible; imperceivable; dull; stupid; torpid; numb; unfeeling; apathetic; stoical; impassive; indifferent; unsusceptible; hard; callous.

INSENSIBLENESS In*sen"si*ble*ness, n.

Defn: Insensibility. Bp. Hall.

INSENSIBLY In*sen"si*bly, adv.

Defn: In a manner not to be felt or perceived; imperceptibly; gradually. The hills rise insensibly. Addison.

INSENSITIVE In*sen"si*tive, a.

Defn: Not sensitive; wanting sensation, or wanting acute sensibility. Tillotson. Ruskin.

INSENSUOUS In*sen"su*ous, a. Etym: [Pref. in- not + sensuous.]

Defn: Not sensuous; not pertaining to, affecting, or addressing, the senses. That intermediate door Betwixt the different planes of sensuous form And form insensuous. Mrs. Browning.

INSENTIENT In*sen"ti*ent, a.

Defn: Not sentient; not having perception, or the power of perception. The . . . attributes of an insentient, inert substance. Reid. But there can be nothing like to this sensation in the rose, because it is insentient. Sir W. Hamilton.

INSEPARABILITY In*sep`a*ra*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. inseparabilitas: cf. F. inséparabilité.]

Defn: The quality or state of being inseparable; inseparableness. Locke.

INSEPARABLE In*sep"a*ra*ble, a. Etym: [L. inseparabilis: cf. F. inséparable. See In-, and Separable.]

1. Not separable; incapable of being separated or disjoined. The history of every language is inseparable from that of the people by whom it is spoken. Mure. Liberty and union, now and forever, one and inseparable. D. Webster.

2. (Gram.)

Defn: Invariably attached to some word, stem, or root; as, the inseparable particle un-.

INSEPARABLENESS In*sep"a*ra*ble*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being inseparable; inseparability. Bp. Burnet.

INSEPARABLY In*sep"a*ra*bly, adv.

Defn: In an inseparable manner or condition; so as not to be separable. Bacon. And cleaves through life inseparably close. Cowper.

INSEPARATE In*sep"a*rate, a. Etym: [L. inseparatus. See In- not, and Separate.]

Defn: Not separate; together; united. Shak.

INSEPARATELY In*sep"a*rate*ly, adv.

Defn: Inseparably. [Obs.] Cranmer.

INSERT In*sert", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inserted; p. pr. & vb. n. Inserting.] Etym: [L. insertus, p. p. of inserere to insert; pref. in- in + serere to join, connect. See Series.]

Defn: To set within something; to put or thrust in; to introduce; to cause to enter, or be included, or contained; as, to insert a scion in a stock; to insert a letter, word, or passage in a composition; to insert an advertisement in a newspaper. These words were very weakly inserted where they will be so liable to misconstruction. Bp. Stillingfleet.

INSERTED In*sert"ed, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Situated upon, attached to, or growing out of, some part; -- said especially of the parts of the flower; as, the calyx, corolla, and stamens of many flowers are inserted upon the receptacle. Gray.

INSERTING In*sert"ing, n.

1. A setting in.

2. Something inserted or set in, as lace, etc., in garments. [R.]

INSERTION In*ser"tion, n. Etym: [L. insertio: cf. F. insertion. See Insert.]

1. The act of inserting; as, the insertion of scions in stocks; the insertion of words or passages in writings.

2. The condition or mode of being inserted or attached; as, the insertion of stamens in a calyx.

3. That which is set in or inserted, especially a narrow strip of embroidered lace, muslin, or cambric.

4. (Anat.)

Defn: The point or part by which a muscle or tendon is attached to the part to be moved; -- in contradistinction to its origin. Epigynous insertion (Bot.), the insertion of stamens upon the ovary. -- Hypogynous insertion (Bot.), insertion beneath the ovary.

INSERVE In*serve", v. i. Etym: [L. inservire; in- in + servire to serve.]

Defn: To be of use to an end; to serve. [Obs.]

INSERVIENT In*serv"i*ent, a. Etym: [L. inserviens, p. pr. of inservire.]

Defn: Conducive; instrumental. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

INSESSION In*ses"sion, n. Etym: [L. insessio, fr. insidere, insessum, to sit in. See Insidious.]

1. The act of sitting, as in a tub or bath. "Used by way of fomentation, insession, or bath." [R.] Holland.

2. That in which one sits, as a bathing tub. [R.] Insessions be bathing tubs half full. Holland.

INSESSOR In*ses"sor, n.; pl. Insessores. Etym: [See Insessores.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the Insessores. The group includes most of the common singing birds.

INSESSORES In`ses*so"res, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. L. insessor, lit., one who sits down, fr. incidere. See Insession.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: An order of birds, formerly established to include the perching birds, but now generally regarded as an artificial group.

INSESSORIAL In`ses*so"ri*al, a. (Zoöl.)

1. Pertaining to, or having the character of, perching birds.

2. Belonging or pertaining to the Insessores.

INSET In*set", v. t.

Defn: To infix. [Obs.] Chaucer.

INSET In"set, n.

1. That which is inserted or set in; an insertion.

2. (Bookbinding)

Defn: One or more separate leaves inserted in a volume before binding; as: (a) A portion of the printed sheet in certain sizes of books which is cut off before folding, and set into the middle of the folded sheet to complete the succession of paging; -- also called offcut. (b) A page or pages of advertisements inserted.

INSEVERABLE In*sev"er*a*ble, a.

Defn: Incapable of being severed; indivisible; inseparable. De Quincey.

INSHADED In*shad"ed, a.

Defn: Marked with different shades. W. Browne.

INSHAVE In"shave`, n. (Mech.)

Defn: A plane for shaving or dressing the concave or inside faces of barrel staves.

INSHEATHE In*sheathe", v. t.

Defn: To insert as in a sheath; to sheathe. Hughes.

INSHELL In*shell", v. t.

Defn: To hide in a shell. [Obs.] Shak.

INSHIP In*ship", v. t.

Defn: To embark. [Obs.] Shak.

INSHORE In"shore`, a.

Defn: Being near or moving towards the shore; as, inshore fisheries; inshore currents. -- adv.

Defn: Towards the shore; as, the boat was headed inshore.

INSHRINE In*shrine", v. t.

Defn: See Enshrine.

INSICCATION In`sic*ca"tion, n.

Defn: The act or process of drying in.

INSIDE In"side`, prep. or adv.

Defn: Within the sides of; in the interior; contained within; as, inside a house, book, bottle, etc.

INSIDE In"side`, a

1. Being within; included or inclosed in anything; contained; interior; internal; as, the inside passengers of a stagecoach; inside decoration. Kissing with inside lip. Shak.

2. Adapted to the interior. Inside callipers (Mech.), callipers for measuring the diameters of holes, etc. -- Inside finish (Arch.), a general term for the final work in any building necessary for its completion, but other than unusual decoration; thus, in joiner work, the doors and windows, inside shutters, door and window trimmings, paneled jams, baseboards, and sometimes flooring and stairs; in plaster work, the finishing coat, the cornices, centerpieces, etc.,; in painting, all simple painting of woodwork and plastering. -- Inside track, the inner part of a race course; hence, colloquially, advantage of place, facilities, etc., in competition.

INSIDE In"side`, n.

1. The part within; interior or internal portion; content. Looked he o' the inside of the paper Shak.

2. pl.

Defn: The inward parts; entrails; bowels; hence, that which is within; private thoughts and feelings. Here's none but friends; we may speak Our insides freely. Massinger.

3. An inside passenger of a coach or carriage, as distinguished from one upon the outside. [Colloq. Eng.] So down thy hill, romantic Ashbourne, glides The Derby dilly, carrying three insides. Anti-Jacobin. Patent insides or outside, a name give to newspaper sheets printed on one side with general and miscellaneous matter, and furnished wholesale to offices of small newspapers, where the blank pages are filled up with recent and local news.

INSIDIATE In*sid"i*ate, v. t. Etym: [L. insidiatus, p. p. of insidiare to lie in ambush, fr. insidiae. See Insidious.]

Defn: To lie in ambush for. [Obs.] Heywood.

INSIDIATOR In*sid"i*a`tor, n. Etym: [L.]

Defn: One who lies in ambush. [Obs.] Barrow.

INSIDIOUS In*sid"i*ous, a. Etym: [L. insidiosus, fr. insidiae an ambush, fr. insidere to sit in; pref. in- + sedere to sit: cf. F. insidieux. See Sit.]

1. Lying in wait; watching an opportunity to insnare or entrap; deceitful; sly; treacherous; -- said of persons; as, the insidious foe. "The insidious witch." Cowper.

2. Intended to entrap; characterized by treachery and deceit; as, insidious arts. The insidious whisper of the bad angel. Hawthorne. Insidious disease (Med.), a disease existing, without marked symptoms, but ready to become active upon some slight occasion; a disease not appearing to be as bad as it really is.

Syn. -- Crafty; wily; artful; sly; designing; guileful; circumventive; treacherous; deceitful; deceptive. -- In*sid"i*ous*ly, adv. -- In*sid"i*ous*ness, n.

INSIGHT In"sight`, n.

1. A sight or view of the interior of anything; a deep inspection or view; introspection; -- frequently used with into. He had an insight into almost all the secrets of state. Jortin.

2. Power of acute observation and deduction; penetration; discernment; perception. Quickest insight In all things that to greatest actions lead. Milton.

INSIGNIA In*sig"ni*a, n. pl. Etym: [L. insigne, pl. insignia, fr. insignis distinguished by a mark; pref. in- in + signum a mark, sign. See Ensign, Sign.]

1. Distinguishing marks of authority, office, or honor; badges; tokens; decorations; as, the insignia of royalty or of an order.

2. Typical and characteristic marks or signs, by which anything is known or distinguished; as, the insignia of a trade.

INSIGNIFICANCE In`sig*nif"i*cance, n.

1. The condition or quality of being insignificant; want of significance, sense, or meaning; as, the insignificance of words or phrases.

2. Want of force or effect; unimportance; pettiness; inefficacy; as, the insignificance of human art.

3. Want of claim to consideration or notice; want of influence or standing; meanness. Reduce him, from being the first person in the nation, to a state of insignificance. Beattie.

INSIGNIFICANCY In`sig*nif"i*can*cy, n.

Defn: Insignificance.

INSIGNIFICANT In`sig*nif"i*cant, a.

1. Not significant; void of signification, sense, or import; meaningless; as, insignificant words.

2. Having no weight or effect; answering no purpose; unimportant; valueless; futile. Laws must be insignificant without the sanction of rewards and punishments. Bp. Wilkins.

3. Without weight of character or social standing; mean; contemptible; as, an insignificant person.

Syn. -- Unimportant; immaterial; inconsiderable; small; inferior; trivial; mean; contemptible.

INSIGNIFICANTLY In`sig*nif"i*cant*ly, adv.

Defn: without significance, importance, or effect; to no purpose. "Anger insignificantly fierce." Cowper.

INSIGNIFICATIVE In`sig*nif"i*ca*tive, a. Etym: [L. insignificativus. See In- not, and Significative.]

Defn: Not expressing meaning; not significant.

INSIGNMENT In*sign"ment, n. Etym: [See Insignia.]

Defn: A token, mark, or explanation. [Obs.] Sir T. Elyot.

INSIMULATE In*sim"u*late, v. t. Etym: [L. insimulatus, p. p. of insimulare to accuse.]

Defn: To accuse. [Obs.] Donne.

INSINCERE In`sin*cere", a. Etym: [L. insincerus. See In- not, and Sincere.]

1. Not being in truth what one appears to be; not sincere; dissembling; hypocritical; disingenuous; deceitful; false; -- said of persons; also of speech, thought; etc.; as, insincere declarations.

2. Disappointing; imperfect; unsound. [Obs.] To render sleep's soft blessings insincere. Pope.

Syn. -- Dissembling; hollow; hypocritical; deceptive deceitful; false; disingenuous; untrustworthy.

INSINCERELY In`sin*cere"ly, adv.

Defn: Without sincerity.

INSINCERITY In`sin*cer"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. insincérité.]

Defn: The quality of being insincere; want of sincerity, or of being in reality what one appears to be; dissimulation; hypocritical; deceitfulness; hollowness; untrustworthiness; as, the insincerity of a professed friend; the insincerity of professions of regard. What men call policy and knowledge of the world, is commonly no other thing than dissimulation and insincerity. Blair.

INSINEW In*sin"ew, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Insinewed; p. pr. & vb. n. Insinewing.]

Defn: To strengthen, as with sinews; to invigorate. [Obs.] All members of our cause, . . . That are insinewed to this action. Shak.

INSINUANT In*sin"u*ant, a. Etym: [L. insinuans, p. pr.: cf. F. insinuant.]

Defn: Insinuating; insinuative. [Obs.]

INSINUATE In*sin"u*ate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Insinuated; p. pr. & vb. n. Insinuating.] Etym: [L. insinuatus, p. p. of insinuareto insinuate; pref. in- in + sinus the bosom. See Sinuous.]

1. To introduce gently or slowly, as by a winding or narrow passage, or a gentle, persistent movement. The water easily insinuates itself into, and placidly distends, the vessels of vegetables. Woodward.

2. To introduce artfully; to infuse gently; to instill. All the art of rhetoric, besides order and clearness, are for nothing else but to insinuate wrong ideas, move the passions, and thereby mislead the judgment. Locke. Horace laughs to shame all follies and insinuates virtue, rather by familiar examples than by the severity of precepts. Dryden.

3. To hint; to suggest by remote allusion; -- often used derogatorily; as, did you mean to insinuate anything

4. To push or work (one's self), as into favor; to introduce by slow, gentle, or artful means; to ingratiate; -- used reflexively. He insinuated himself into the very good grace of the Duke of Buckingham. Clarendon.

Syn. -- To instill; hint; suggest; intimate.

INSINUATE In*sin"u*ate, v. i.

1. To creep, wind, or flow in; to enter gently, slowly, or imperceptibly, as into crevices.

2. To ingratiate one's self; to obtain access or favor by flattery or cunning. He would insinuate with thee but to make thee sigh. Shak. To insinuate, flatter, bow, and bend my limbs. Shak.

INSINUATING In*sin"u*a`ting, a.

Defn: Winding, creeping, or flowing in, quietly or stealthily; suggesting; winning favor and confidence insensibly. Milton. His address was courteous, and even insinuating. Prescott.

INSINUATINGLY In*sin"u*a`ting*ly, adv.

Defn: By insinuation.

INSINUATION In*sin"u*a`tion, n. Etym: [L. insinuatio: cf. F. insinuation.]

1. The act or process of insinuating; a creeping, winding, or flowing in. By a soft insinuation mix'd With earth's large mass. Crashaw.

2. The act of gaining favor, affection, or influence, by gentle or artful means; -- formerly used in a good sense, as of friendly influence or interposition. Sir H. Wotton. I hope through the insinuation of Lord Scarborough to keep them here till further orders. Lady Cowper.

3. The art or power of gaining good will by a prepossessing manner. He bad a natural insinuation and address which made him acceptable in the best company. Clarendon.

4. That which is insinuated; a hint; a suggestion or intimation by distant allusion; as, slander may be conveyed by insinuations. I scorn your coarse insinuation. Cowper.

Syn. -- Hint; intimation; suggestion. See Innuendo.

INSINUATIVE In*sin"u*a*tive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. insinuatif.]

1. Stealing on or into the confidence or affections; having power to gain favor. "Crafty, insinuative, plausible men." Bp. Reynolds.

2. Using insinuations; giving hints; insinuating; as, insinuative remark.

INSINUATOR In*sin"u*a`tor, n. Etym: [L., an introducer.]

Defn: One who, or that which, insinuates. De Foe.

INSINUATORY In*sin"u*a*to*ry, a.

Defn: Insinuative.

INSIPID In*sip"id, a. Etym: [L. insipidus; pref. in- not + sapidus savory, fr. sapere to taste: cf. F. insipide. See Savor.]

1. Wanting in the qualities which affect the organs of taste; without taste or savor; vapid; tasteless; as, insipid drink or food. Boyle.

2. Wanting in spirit, life, or animation; uninteresting; weak; vapid; flat; dull; heavy; as, an insipid woman; an insipid composition. Flat, insipid, and ridiculous stuff to him. South. But his wit is faint, and his salt, if I may dare to say so, almost insipid. Dryden.

Syn. -- Tasteless; vapid; dull; spiritless; unanimated; lifeless; flat; stale; pointless; uninteresting.

INSIPIDITY; INSIPIDNESS In`si*pid"i*ty, In*sip"id*ness, n. Etym: [Cf. F. insipidité.]

Defn: The quality or state of being insipid; vapidity. "Dryden's lines shine strongly through the insipidity of Tate's." Pope.

INSIPIDLY In*sip"id*ly, adv.

Defn: In an insipid manner; without taste, life, or spirit; flatly. Locke. Sharp.

INSIPIENCE In*sip"i*ence, n. Etym: [L. insipientia: cf. OF. insipience.]

Defn: Want of intelligence; stupidity; folly. [R.] Blount.

INSIPIENT In*sip"i*ent, a. Etym: [L. insipiens; pref. in- not + sapiens wise.]

Defn: Wanting wisdom; stupid; foolish. [R.] Clarendon. -- n.

Defn: An insipient person. [R.] Fryth.

INSIST In*sist", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Insisted; p. pr. & vb. n. Insisting.] Etym: [F. insister, L. insistere to set foot upon, follow, persist; pref. in- in + sistere to stand, cause to stand. See Stand.]

1. To stand or rest; to find support; -- with in, on, or upon. [R.] Ray.

2. To take a stand and refuse to give way; to hold to something firmly or determinedly; to be persistent, urgent, or pressing; to persist in demanding; -- followed by on, upon, or that; as, he insisted on these conditions; he insisted on going at once; he insists that he must have money. Insisting on the old prerogative. Shak. Without further insisting on the different tempers of Juvenal and Horace. Dryden.

Syn. -- Insist, Persist. -- Insist implies some alleged right, as authority or claim. Persist may be from obstinacy alone, and either with or against rights. We insist as against others; we persist in what exclusively relates to ourselves; as, he persisted in that course; he insisted on his friend's adopting it. C. J. Smith.

INSISTENCE In*sist"ence, n.

Defn: The quality of insisting, or being urgent or pressing; the act of dwelling upon as of special importance; persistence; urgency.

INSISTENT In*sist"ent, a. Etym: [L. insistens, -entis, p. pr. of insistere.]

1. Standing or resting on something; as, an insistent wall. Sir H. Wotton.

2. Insisting; persistent; persevering.

3. (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Incumbent.

INSISTENTLY In*sist"ent*ly, adv.

Defn: In an insistent manner.

INSISTURE In*sis"ture, n.

Defn: A dwelling or standing on something; fixedness; persistence. [Obs.] Shak.

INSITIENCY In*si"ti`en*cy, n. Etym: [Pref. in- not + L. sitiens, p. pr. of sitire to be thirsty, fr. sitis thirst.]

Defn: Freedom from thirst. [Obs.] The insitiency of a camel for traveling in deserts. Grew.

INSITION In*si"tion, n. Etym: [L. insitio, fr. inserere, insitum, to sow or plant in, to ingraft; pref. in- in + serere, satum, to sow.]

Defn: The insertion of a scion in a stock; ingraftment. Ray.

IN SITU In` si"tu. Etym: [L.]

Defn: In its natural position or place; -- said of a rock or fossil, when found in the situation in which it was originally formed or deposited.

INSNARE In*snare", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Insnared; p. pr. & vb. n. Insnaring.] Etym: [Written also ensnare.]

1. To catch in a snare; to entrap; to take by artificial means. "Insnare a gudgeon." Fenton.

2. To take by wiles, stratagem, or deceit; to involve in difficulties or perplexities; to seduce by artifice; to inveigle; to allure; to entangle. The insnaring charms Of love's soft queen. Glover.

INSNARER In*snar"er, n.

Defn: One who insnares.

INSNARL In*snarl", v. t.

Defn: To make into a snarl or knot; to entangle; to snarl. [Obs.] Cotgrave.

INSOBRIETY In`so*bri"e*ty, n. Etym: [Pref. in- not + : cf. F. insobriété.]

Defn: Want of sobriety, moderation, or calmness; intemperance; drunkenness.

INSOCIABILITY In*so`cia*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. insociabilité.]

Defn: The quality of being insociable; want of sociability; unsociability. [R.] Bp. Warburton.

INSOCIABLE In*so"cia*ble, a. Etym: [L. insociabilis: cf. F. insociable. See In- not, and Sociable.]

1. Incapable of being associated, joined, or connected. [Obs.] Lime and wood are insociable. Sir H. Wotton.

2. Not sociable or companionable; disinclined to social intercourse or conversation; unsociable; taciturn. This austere insociable life. Shak.

INSOCIABLY In*so"cia*bly, adv.

Defn: Unsociably.

INSOCIATE In*so"ci*ate, a.

Defn: Not associate; without a companion; single; solitary; recluse. [Obs.] "The insociate virgin life." B. Jonson.

INSOLATE In"so*late, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Insolated; p. pr. & vb. n. Insolating.] Etym: [L. insolatus, p. p. of insolare to expose to the sun; pref. in- in + sol the sun.]

Defn: To dry in, or to expose to, the sun's rays; to ripen or prepare by such exposure. Johnson.

INSOLATION In`so*la"tion, n. Etym: [L. insolatio: cf. F. insolation.]

1. The act or process to exposing to the rays of the sun fro the purpose of drying or maturing, as fruits, drugs, etc., or of rendering acid, as vinegar.

2. (Med.) (a) A sunstroke. (b) Exposure of a patient to the sun's rays; a sun bath.

INSOLE In"sole`, n.

Defn: The inside sole of a boot or shoe; also, a loose, thin strip of leather, felt, etc., placed

INSOLENCE In"so*lence, n. Etym: [F. insolence, L. insolentia. See Insolent.]

1. The quality of being unusual or novel. [Obs.] Spenser.

2. The quality of being insolent; pride or haughtiness manifested in contemptuous and overbearing treatment of others; arrogant contempt; brutal imprudence. Flown with insolence and wine. Milton.

3. Insolent conduct or treatment; insult. Loaded with fetters and insolences from the soldiers. Fuller.

INSOLENCE In"so*lence, v. t.

Defn: To insult. [Obs.] Eikon Basilike.

INSOLENCY In"so*len*cy, n.

Defn: Insolence. [R.] Evelyn.

INSOLENT In"so*lent, a. Etym: [F. insolent, L. insolens, -entis, pref. in- not + solens accustomed, p. pr. of solere to be accustomed.]

1. Deviating from that which is customary; novel; strange; unusual. [Obs.] If one chance to derive any word from the Latin which is insolent to their ears . . . they forth with make a jest at it. Petti If any should accuse me of being new or insolent. Milton.

2. Haughty and contemptuous or brutal in behavior or language; overbearing; domineering; grossly rude or disrespectful; saucy; as, an insolent master; an insolent servant. "A paltry, insolent fellow." Shak. Insolent is he that despiseth in his judgment all other folks as in regard of his value, of his cunning, of his speaking, and of his bearing. Chaucer. Can you not see or will ye not observe . . . How insolent of late he is become, How proud, how peremptory Shak.

3. Proceeding from or characterized by insolence; insulting; as, insolent words or behavior. Their insolent triumph excited . . . indignation. Macaulay.

Syn. -- Overbearing; insulting; abusive; offensive; saucy; impudent; audacious; pert; impertinent; rude; reproachful; opprobrious. -- Insolent, Insulting. Insolent, in its primitive sense, simply denoted unusual; and to act insolently was to act in violation of the established rules of social intercourse. He who did this was insolent; and thus the word became one of the most offensive in our language, indicating gross disregard for the feelings of others. Insulting denotes a personal attack, either in words or actions, indicative either of scorn or triumph. Compare Impertinent, Affront, Impudence.

INSOLENTLY In"so*lent*ly, adv.

Defn: In an insolent manner.

INSOLIDITY In`so*lid"i*ty, n. Etym: [Pref. in- not + solidity: cf. F. insolidité.]

Defn: Want of solidity; weakness; as, the insolidity of an argument. [R.] Dr. H. More.

INSOLUBILITY In*sol`u*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. insolubilitas: cf. F. insolubilité.]

1. The quality or state of being insoluble or not dissolvable, as in a fluid.

2. The quality of being inexplicable or insolvable.

INSOLUBLE In*sol"u*ble, a. Etym: [L. insolubilis indissoluble, that can not be loosed: cf. F. insoluble. See In- not, and Soluble, and cf. Insolvable.]

1. Not soluble; in capable or difficult of being dissolved, as by a liquid; as, chalk is insoluble in water.

2. Not to be solved or explained; insolvable; as, an insoluble doubt, question, or difficulty.

3. Strong. "An insoluble wall." [Obs.] Holland

INSOLUBLENESS In*sol"u*ble*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being insoluble; insolubility. Boyle.

INSOLVABLE In*solv"a*ble, a.

1. Not solvable; insoluble; admitting no solution or explanation; as, an insolvable problem or difficulty. I. Watts.

2. Incapable of being paid or discharged, as debts.

3. Not capable of being loosed or disentangled; inextricable. "Bands insolvable." Pope.

INSOLVENCY In*sol"ven*cy, n.; pl. Insolvencies (. (Law) (a) The condition of being insolvent; the state or condition of a person who is insolvent; the condition of one who is unable to pay his debts as they fall due, or in the usual course of trade and business; as, a merchant's insolvency. (b) Insufficiency to discharge all debts of the owner; as, the insolvency of an estate. Act of insolvency. See Insolvent law under Insolvent, a.

INSOLVENT In*sol"vent, a. Etym: [Pref. in- not + solvent: cf. OF. insolvent.] (Law) (a) Not solvent; not having sufficient estate to pay one's debts; unable to pay one's debts as they fall due, in the ordinary course of trade and business; as, in insolvent debtor. (b) Not sufficient to pay all the debts of the owner; as, an insolvent estate. (c) Relating to persons unable to pay their debts. Insolvent law, or Act of insolvency, a law affording relief, -- subject to various modifications in different States, -- to insolvent debtors, upon their delivering up their property for the benefit of their creditors. See Bankrupt law, under Bankrupt, a.

INSOLVENT In*sol"vent, n. (Law)

Defn: One who is insolvent; as insolvent debtor; -- in England, before 1861, especially applied to persons not traders. Bouvier.

INSOMNIA In*som"ni*a, n. Etym: [L., fr. insomnis sleepless; pref. in- not + somnus sleep.]

Defn: Want of sleep; inability to sleep; wakefulness; sleeplessness.

INSOMNIOUS In*som"ni*ous, a. Etym: [L. insomniosus, fr. insomnia insomnia.]

Defn: Restless; sleepless. Blount.

INSOMNOLENCE In*som"no*lence, n.

Defn: Sleeplessness.

INSOMUCH In`so*much", adv.

Defn: So; to such a degree; in such wise; -- followed by that or as, and formerly sometimes by both. Cf. Inasmuch. Insomusch as that field is called . . . Aceldama. Acts i. 19. Simonides was an excellent poet, insomuch that he made his fortune by it. L'Estrange.

INSONOROUS In`so*no"rous, a.

Defn: Not clear or melodious.

INSOOTH In*sooth", adv.

Defn: In sooth; truly. [Archaic]

INSOUCIANCE In`sou`ciance", n. Etym: [F.]

Defn: Carelessness; heedlessness; thoughtlessness; unconcern.

INSOUCIANT In`sou`ciant", a. Etym: [F.]

Defn: Careless; heedless; indifferent; unconcerned. J. S. Mill.

INSOUL In*soul", v. t.

Defn: To set a soul in; reflexively, to fix one's strongest affections on. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor. [He] could not but insoul himself in her. Feltham.

INSPAN In*span", v. t. & i. Etym: [D. inspannen.]

Defn: To yoke or harness, as oxen to a vehicle. [South Africa]

INSPECT In*spect", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inspected; p. pr. & vb. n. Inspecting.] Etym: [L. inspectus, p. p. of inspicere to inspect; pref. in- in + specere to look at, to view: cf. F. inspecter, fr. L. inspectare, freq. fr. inspicere. See Spy.]

1. To look upon; to view closely and critically, esp. in order to ascertain quality or condition, to detect errors, etc., to examine; to scrutinize; to investigate; as, to inspect conduct.

2. To view and examine officially, as troops, arms, goods offered, work done for the public, etc.; to oversee; to superintend. Sir W. Temple.

INSPECT In*spect", n. Etym: [L. inspectus. See Inspect, v. t.]

Defn: Inspection. [Obs.] Thomson.

INSPECTION In*spec"tion, n. Etym: [L. inspectio: cf. F. inspection.]

1. The act or process of inspecting or looking at carefully; a strict or prying examination; close or careful scrutiny; investigation. Spenser. With narrow search, and with inspection deep, Considered every creature. Milton.

2. The act of overseeing; official examination or superintendence. Trial by inspection (O. Eng. Law), a mode of trial in which the case was settled by the individual observation and decision of the judge upon the testimony of his own senses, without the intervention of a jury. Abbott.

INSPECTIVE In*spect"ive, a. Etym: [L. inspectivus.]

Defn: Engaged in inspection; inspecting; involving inspection.

INSPECTOR In*spect"or, n. Etym: [L.: cf. F. inspecteur.]

Defn: One who inspects, views, or oversees; one to whom the supervision of any work is committed; one who makes an official view or examination, as a military or civil officer; a superintendent; a supervisor; an overseer. Inspector general (Mil.), a staff officer of an army, whose duties are those of inspection, and embrace everything relative to organization, recruiting, discharge, administration, accountability for money and property, instruction, police, and discipline.

INSPECTORATE In*spect"or*ate, n.

Defn: Inspectorship. [R.]

INSPECTORIAL In`spec*to"ri*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to an inspector or to inspection. [R.]

INSPECTORSHIP In*spect"or*ship, n.

1. The office of an inspector.

2. The district embraced by an inspector's jurisdiction.

INSPECTRESS In*spect"ress, n.

Defn: A female inspector.

INSPERSE In*sperse", v. t. Etym: [L. inspersus, p. p. of inspergere to sprinkle upon; pref. in- in, on + spargere to sprinkle.]

Defn: To sprinkle; to scatter. [Obs.] Bailey.

INSPERSION In*sper"sion, n. Etym: [L. inspersio.]

Defn: The act of sprinkling. [Obs.] Chapman.

INSPEXIMUS In*spex"i*mus, n. Etym: [L., we have inspected.]

Defn: The first word of ancient charters in England, confirming a grant made by a former king; hence, a royal grant.

INSPHERE In*sphere", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Insphered; p. pr. & vb. n. Insphering.] Etym: [Cf. Ensphere.]

Defn: To place in, or as in, an orb a sphere. Cf. Ensphere. Bright aërial spirits live insphered In regions mild of calm and serene air. Milton.

INSPIRABLE In*spir"a*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being inspired or drawn into the lungs; inhalable; respirable; admitting inspiration. Harvey.

INSPIRATION In`spi*ra"tion, n. Etym: [F. inspiration, L. inspiratio. See Inspire.]

1. The act of inspiring or breathing in; breath; specif. (Physiol.), the drawing of air into the lungs, accomplished in mammals by elevation of the chest walls and flattening of the diaphragm; -- the opposite of expiration.

2. The act or power of exercising an elevating or stimulating influence upon the intellect or emotions; the result of such influence which quickens or stimulates; as, the inspiration of occasion, of art, etc. Your father was ever virtuous, and holy men at their death have good inspirations. Shak.

3. (Theol.)

Defn: A supernatural divine influence on the prophets, apostles, or sacred writers, by which they were qualified to communicate moral or religious truth with authority; a supernatural influence which qualifies men to receive and communicate divine truth; also, the truth communicated. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God. 2 Tim. iii. 16. The age which we now live in is not an age of inspiration and impulses. Sharp. Plenary inspiration (Theol.), that kind of inspiration which excludes all defect in the utterance of the inspired message. -- Verbal inspiration (Theol.), that kind of inspiration which extends to the very words and forms of expression of the divine message.

INSPIRATIONAL In`spi*ra"tion*al, a.

Defn: Pertaining to inspiration.

INSPIRATIONIST In`spi*ra"tion*ist, n.

Defn: One who holds to inspiration.

INSPIRATOR In"spi*ra`tor, n. (Mach.)

Defn: A kind of injector for forcing water by steam. See Injector, n., 2.

INSPIRATORY In*spir"a*to*ry, a.

Defn: Pertaining to, or aiding, inspiration; as, the inspiratory muscles.

INSPIRE In*spire", v. t. Etym: [OE. enspiren, OF. enspirer, inspirer, F. inspirer, fr. L. inspirare; pref. in- in + spirare to breathe. See Spirit.]

1. To breathe into; to fill with the breath; to animate. When Zephirus eek, with his sweete breath, Inspirèd hath in every holt and health The tender crops. Chaucer. Descend, ye Nine, descend and sing, The breathing instruments inspire. Pope.

2. To infuse by breathing, or as if by breathing. He knew not his Maker, and him that inspired into him an active soul. Wisdom xv. 11.

3. To draw in by the operation of breathing; to inhale; -- opposed to expire. Forced to inspire and expire the air with difficulty. Harvey.

4. To infuse into the mind; to communicate to the spirit; to convey, as by a divine or supernatural influence; to disclose preternaturally; to produce in, as by inspiration. And generous stout courage did inspire. Spenser. But dawning day new comfort hath inspired. Shak.

5. To infuse into; to affect, as with a superior or supernatural influence; to fill with what animates, enlivens, or exalts; to communicate inspiration to; as, to inspire a child with sentiments of virtue. Erato, thy poet's mind inspire, And fill his soul with thy celestial fire. Dryden.

INSPIRE In*spire", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Inspired; p. pr. & vb. n. Inspiring.]

1. To draw in breath; to inhale air into the lungs; -- opposed to expire.

2. To breathe; to blow gently. [Obs.] And when the wind amongst them did inspire, They wavèd like a penon wide dispread. Spenser.

INSPIRED In*spired", a.

1. Breathed in; inhaled.

2. Moved or animated by, or as by, a supernatural influence; affected by divine inspiration; as, the inspired prophets; the inspired writers.

3. Communicated or given as by supernatural or divine inspiration; having divine authority; hence, sacred, holy; -- opposed to uninspired, profane, or secular; as, the inspired writings, that is, the Scriptures.

INSPIRER In*spir"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, inspirer. "Inspirer of that holy flame." Cowper.

INSPIRING In*spir"ing, a.

Defn: Animating; cheering; moving; exhilarating; as, an inspiring or scene.

INSPIRIT In*spir"it, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inspirited; p. pr. & vb. n. Inspiriting.]

Defn: To infuse new life or spirit into; to animate; to encourage; to invigorate. The courage of Agamemnon is inspirited by the love of empire and ambition. Pope.

Syn. -- To enliven; invigorate; exhilarate; animate; cheer; encourage; inspire.

INSPISSATE In*spis"sate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inspissated; p. pr. & vb. n. Inspissating.] Etym: [L. inspissatus, p. p. of inspissare to thicken; pref. in- + spissare to thicken, fr. spissus thick.]

Defn: To thicken or bring to greater consistence, as fluids by evaporation.

INSPISSATE In*spis"sate, a. Etym: [L. inspissatus, p. p.]

Defn: Thick or thickened; inspissated. Greenhill.

INSPISSATION In`spis*sa"tion, n.

Defn: The act or the process of inspissating, or thickening a fluid substance, as by evaporation; also, the state of being so thickened.

INSTABILITY In`sta*bil"i*ty, n.; pl. Instabilities. Etym: [L. instabilitas: cf. F. instabilité.]

1. The quality or condition of being unstable; want of stability, firmness, or steadiness; liability to give way or to fail; insecurity; precariousness; as, the instability of a building.

2. Lack of determination of fixedness; inconstancy; fickleness; mutability; changeableness; as, instability of character, temper, custom, etc. Addison.

Syn. -- Inconstancy; fickleness; changeableness; wavering; unsteadiness; unstableness.

INSTABLE In*sta"ble, a. Etym: [L. instabilis: cf. F. instable. See In- not, and Stable, a., and cf. Unstable.]

Defn: Not stable; not standing fast or firm; unstable; prone to change or recede from a purpose; mutable; inconstant.

INSTABLENESS In*sta"ble*ness, n.

Defn: Instability; unstableness.

INSTALL In*stall", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Installed; p. pr. & vb. n. Installing.] Etym: [F. installer, LL. installare, fr. pref. in- in + OHG. stal a place, stall, G. stall, akin to E. stall: cf. It. installare. See Stall.] [Written also instal.]

1. To set in a seat; to give a place to; establish (one) in a place. She installed her guest hospitably by the fireside. Sir W. Scott.

2. To place in an office, rank, or order; to invest with any charge by the usual ceremonies; to instate; to induct; as, to install an ordained minister as pastor of a church; to install a college president. Unworthily Thou wast installed in that high degree. Shak.

INSTALLATION In`stal*la"tion, n. Etym: [F. installation, LL. installatio: cf. It. installazione. See Install.]

1. The act of installing or giving possession of an office, rank, or order, with the usual rites or ceremonies; as, the installation of an ordained minister in a parish. On the election, the bishop gives a mandate for his installation. Ayliffe.

2. (Mech.)

Defn: The whole of a system of machines, apparatus, and accessories, when set up and arranged for practical working, as in electric lighting, transmission of power, etc.

INSTALLMENT In*stall"ment, n. Etym: [Written also instalment.]

1. The act of installing; installation. Take oaths from all kings and magistrates at their installment, to do impartial justice by law. Milton.

2. The seat in which one is placed. [Obs.] The several chairs of order, look, you scour; . . . Each fair installment, coat, and several crest With loyal blazon, evermore be blest. Shak.

3. A portion of a debt, or sum of money, which is divided into portions that are made payable at different times. Payment by installment is payment by parts at different times, the amounts and times being often definitely stipulated. Bouvier.

INSTAMP In*stamp", v. t.

Defn: See Enstamp.

INSTANCE In"stance, n. Etym: [F. instance, L. instantia, fr. instans. See Instant.]

1. The act or quality of being instant or pressing; urgency; solicitation; application; suggestion; motion. Undertook at her instance to restore them. Sir W. Scott.

2. That which is instant or urgent; motive. [Obs.] The instances that second marriage move Are base respects of thrift, but none of love. Shak.

3. Occasion; order of occurrence. These seem as if, in the time of Edward I., they were drawn up into the form of a law, in the first instance. Sir M. Hale.

4. That which offers itself or is offered as an illustrative case; something cited in proof or exemplification; a case occurring; an example. Most remarkable instances of suffering. Atterbury.

5. A token; a sign; a symptom or indication. Shak. Causes of instance, those which proceed at the solicitation of some party. Hallifax. -- Court of first instance, the court by which a case is first tried. -- For instance, by way of example or illustration. -- Instance Court (Law), the Court of Admiralty acting within its ordinary jurisdiction, as distinguished from its action as a prize court.

Syn. -- Example; case. See Example.

INSTANCE In"stance, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Instanced; p. pr. & vb. n. Instancing.]

Defn: To mention as a case or example; to refer to; to cite; as, to instance a fact. H. Spenser. I shall not instance an abstruse author. Milton.

INSTANCE In"stance, v. i.

Defn: To give an example. [Obs.] This story doth not only instance in kingdoms, but in families too. Jer. Taylor.

INSTANCY In"stan*cy, n.

Defn: Instance; urgency. [Obs.] Those heavenly precepts which our Lord and Savior with so great instancy gave. Hooker.

INSTANT In"stant, a. Etym: [L. instans, -antis, p. pr. of instare to stand upon, to press upon; pref. in- in, on + stare to stand: cf. F. in. See Stand.]

1. Pressing; urgent; importunate; earnest. Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer. Rom. xii. 12. I am beginning to be very instant for some sort of occupation. Carlyle.

2. Closely pressing or impending in respect to time; not deferred; immediate; without delay. Impending death is thine, and instant doom. Prior.

3. Present; current. The instant time is always the fittest time. Fuller.

Note: The word in this sense is now used only in dates, to indicate the current month; as, the tenth of July instant.

INSTANT In"stant, adv.

Defn: Instantly. [Poetic] Instant he flew with hospitable haste. Pope.