Chapter I: O U (1)

I O U. Etym: [i. e., I owe you.]

Defn: A paper having on it these letters, with a sum named, and duly signed; -- in use in England as an acknowledgment of a debt, and taken as evidence thereof, but not amounting to a promissory note; a due bill. Wharton. Story.

IOWAS I"o*was, n. pl.

Defn: ; sing. Iowa. (Ethnol.) A tribe of Indians which formerly occupied the region now included in the State of Iowa.

IPECAC Ip"e*cac, n.

Defn: An abbreviation of Ipecacuanha, and in more frequent use.

IPECACUANHA Ip`e*cac`u*an"ha, n. Etym: [Pg. ipecacuanha (cf. Sp. ipecacuana); fr. Braz. ipe-kaa-guena, prop., a creeping plant that causes vomiting.] (Med. & Bot.)

Defn: The root of a Brazilian rubiaceous herb (Cephaëlis Ipecacuanha), largely employed as an emetic; also, the plant itself; also, a medicinal extract of the root. Many other plants are used as a substitutes; among them are the black or Peruvian ipecac (Psychotria emetica), the white ipecac (Ionidium Ipecacuanha), the bastard or wild ipecac (Asclepias Curassavica), and the undulated ipecac (Richardsonia scabra).

IPOCRAS Ip"o*cras, n.

Defn: Hippocras. [Obs.] Chaucer.

IPOMOEA Ip`o*moe"a, n. Etym: [NL. "Named, according to Linnæus, from Gr. 'i`ps, 'ipo`s, a bindweed [which it is not]

Defn: , and Gray.] (Bot.) A genus of twining plants with showy monopetalous flowers, including the morning-glory, the sweet potato, and the cypress vine.

IPOMOEIC Ip`o*moe"ic, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, an acid obtained by the oxidation of convolvulin (obtained from jalap, the tubers of Ipomoea purga), and identical in most of its properties with sebacic acid.

IR- Ir-

Defn: . A form of the prefix in-. See In-.

IRACUND I"ra*cund, a. Etym: [L. iracundus, fr. ira anger.]

Defn: Irascible; choleric. "Iracund people." Carlyle.

IRADE I*ra"de (e*rä"day), n. Etym: [Turk.]

Defn: A decree of the Sultan.

IRAN I`ran" (e`rän"), n. Etym: [Mod. Persian Iran. Cf. Aryan.]

Defn: The native name of Persia.

IRANIAN I*ra"ni*an, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Iran. -- n.

Defn: A native of Iran; also, the Iranian or Persian language, a division of the Aryan family of languages.

IRANIC I*ran"ic, a.

Defn: Iranian.

IRASCIBILITY I*ras`ci*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. irascibilité.]

Defn: The quality or state of being irascible; irritability of temper; irascibleness.

IRASCIBLE I*ras"ci*ble, a. Etym: [L. irascibilis, fr. irasci to be angry, ira anger: cf. F. irascible. See Ire.]

Defn: Prone to anger; easily provoked or inflamed to anger; choleric; irritable; as, an irascible man; an irascible temper or mood. -- I*ras"ci*ble*ness, n. -- I*ras"ci*bly, adv.

IRATE I*rate", a. Etym: [L. iratus, fr. irasci to be angry. See Ire.]

Defn: Angry; incensed; enraged. [Recent] The irate colonel . . . stood speechless. Thackeray. Mr. Jaggers suddenly became most irate. Dickens.

IRE Ire, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. ira.]

Defn: Anger; wrath. [Poet.]

Syn. -- Anger; passion; rage; fury. See Anger.

IREFUL Ire"ful, a.

Defn: Full of ire; angry; wroth. "The ireful bastard Orleans." Shak. -- Ire"ful*ly, adv.

IREFULNESS Ire"ful*ness, n.

Defn: Wrathfulness. Wyclif.

IRENARCH I"re*narch, n. Etym: [L. irenarcha, irenarches, Gr. (Gr. Antiq.)

Defn: An officer in the Greek empire having functions corresponding to those of a justice of the peace. [Written also eirenarch.]

IRENIC; IRENICAL I*ren"ic, I*ren"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: Fitted or designed to promote peace; pacific; conciliatory; peaceful. Bp. Hall.

IRENICON I*ren"i*con, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr.

Defn: A proposition or device for securing peace, especially in the church. South.

IRENICS I*ren"ics, n. (Eccl.)

Defn: That branch of Christian science which treats of the methods of securing unity among Christians or harmony and union among the churches; -- called also Irenical theology. Schaff-Herzog.

IRESTONE Ire"stone`, n. (Mining)

Defn: Any very hard rock.

IRIAN I"ri*an, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the iris. "Irian nerves." Dunglison.

IRICISM I"ri*cism, n.

Defn: Irishism. [R.] Jeffrey.

IRIDACEOUS; IRIDEOUS Ir`i*da"ceous, I*rid"e*ous, a. Etym: [From NL. Iris, Iridis, the Iris.] (Bot.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or resembling, a large natural order of endogenous plants (Iridaceæ), which includes the genera Iris, Ixia, Crocus, Gladiolus, and many others.

IRIDAL I"ri*dal, a. Etym: [L. iris, iridis, rainbow. See Iris.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to the iris or rainbow; prismatic; as, the iridal colors. Whewell.

IRIDECTOMY Ir`i*dec"to*my, n. Etym: [Gr. (Surg.)

Defn: The act or process of cutting out a portion of the iris in order to form an artificial pupil.

IRIDESCENCE Ir`i*des"cence, n. Etym: [See Iridescent.]

Defn: Exhibition of colors like those of the rainbow; the quality or state of being iridescent; a prismatic play of color; as, the iridescence of mother-of-pearl.

IRIDESCENT Ir`i*des"cent, a. Etym: [L. iris, iridis, the rainbow: cf. F. iridescent.]

Defn: Having colors like the rainbow; exhibiting a play of changeable colors; nacreous; prismatic; as, iridescent glass.

IRIDIAN I*rid"i*an, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the iris or rainbow.

IRIDIATED I*rid"i*a`ted, a.

Defn: Iridescent.

IRIDIC I*rid"ic, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the iris of the eye.

IRIDIC I*rid"ic, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to iridium; -- said specifically of those compounds in which iridium has a relatively high valence.

IRIDIOSCOPE I*rid"i*o*scope, n. Etym: [See Iris, and -scope.]

Defn: A kind of ophthalmoscope.

IRIDIOUS I*rid"i*ous, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to iridium; -- applied specifically to compounds in which iridium has a low valence.

IRIDIUM I*rid"i*um, n. Etym: [NL., fr. L. iris, iridis, the rainbow. So called from the iridescence of some of its solutions. See Iris.] (Chem.)

Defn: A rare metallic element, of the same group as platinum, which it much resembles, being silver-white, but harder, and brittle, and indifferent to most corrosive agents. With the exception of osmium, it is the heaviest substance known, its specific gravity being 22.4. Symbol Ir. Atomic weight 192.5.

Note: Iridium usually occurs as a native alloy with osmium (iridosmine or osmiridium), which may occur alone or with platinum. Iridium, as an alloy with platinum, is used in bushing the vents of heavy ordnance. It is also used for the points of gold pens, and in a finely powdered condition (iridium black), for painting porcelain black.

IRIDIZE Ir"i*dize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Iridized; p. pr. & vb. n. Iridizing.]

1. To point or tip with iridium, as a gold pen.

2. To make iridescent; as, to iridize glass.

IRIDOLINE I*rid"o*line, n. Etym: [Iridescent + L. oleum oil.] (Chem.)

Defn: A nitrogenous base C10H9N, extracted from coal-tar naphtha, as an oily liquid. It is a member of the quinoline series, and is probably identical with lepidine.

IRIDOSMINE; IRIDOSMIUM Ir`i*dos"mine, Ir`i*dos"mi*um, n. Etym: [Iridium + osmium.] (Min.)

Defn: The native compound of iridium and osmium. It is found in flattened metallic grains of extreme hardness, and is often used for pointing gold pens.

IRIS I"ris, n.; pl. E. Irises, L. Irides. Etym: [L. iris, iridis, the goddess, Gr. Orris.]

1. (Class. Myth.)

Defn: The goddess of the rainbow, and swift-footed messenger of the gods. Shak.

2. The rainbow. Sir T. Browne.

3. An appearance resembling the rainbow; a prismatic play of colors. Tennyson.

4. (Anat.)

Defn: The contractile membrane perforated by the pupil, and forming the colored portion of the eye. See Eye.

5. (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of plants having showy flowers and bulbous or tuberous roots, of which the flower-de-luce (fleur-de-lis), orris, and other species of flag are examples. See Illust. of Flower-de-luce.

6. (Her.)

Defn: See Fleur-de-lis, 2.

IRISATED I"ris*a`ted, a. Etym: [See Iris.]

Defn: Exhibiting the prismatic colors; irised; iridescent. W. Phillips.

IRISCOPE I"ri*scope, n. Etym: [Iris + -scope.]

Defn: A philosophical toy for exhibiting the prismatic tints by means of thin films.

IRIS DIAPHRAGM I"ris di"a*phragm.

Defn: An adjustable diaphragm, suggesting the iris of the eye in its action, for regulating the aperture of a lens, consisting of a number of thin pieces fastened to a ring. It is used in cameras and microscopes.

IRISED I"rised, a. Etym: [See Iris.]

Defn: Having colors like those of the rainbow; iridescent. Holmes.

IRISH I"rish, a. Etym: [AS. , fr. the Irish. Cf. Aryan, Erse.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to Ireland or to its inhabitants; produced in Ireland. Irish elk. (Zoöl.) See under Elk. -- Irish moss. (a) (Bot.) Carrageen. (b) A preparation of the same made into a blanc mange. -- Irish poplin. See Poplin. -- Irish potato, the ordinary white potato, so called because it is a favorite article of food in Ireland. -- Irish reef, or Irishman's reef (Naut.), the head of a sail tied up. -- Irish stew, meat, potatoes, and onions, cut in small pieces and stewed.

IRISH I*rish", n. sing. & pl.

1. pl.

Defn: The natives or inhabitants of Ireland, esp. the Celtic natives or their descendants.

2. The language of the Irish; the Hiberno-Celtic.

3. An old game resembling backgammon.

IRISH AMERICAN I"rish A*mer"i*can.

Defn: A native of Ireland who has become an American citizen; also, a child or descendant of such a person.

IRISHISM I*rish"*ism, n.

Defn: A mode of speaking peculiar to the Irish; an Hibernicism.

IRISHMAN I"rish*man, n.; pl. Irishmen (.

Defn: A man born in Ireland or of the Irish race; an Hibernian. Irishman's hurricane (Naut.), a dead calm. -- Irishman's reef. (Naut.) See Irish reef, under Irish, a.

IRISHRY I"rish*ry, n.

Defn: The Celtic people of Ireland. "The whole Irishry of rebels." Milton.

IRITIS I*ri"tis, n. Etym: [NL. See Iris, and -itis.] (Med.)

Defn: An inflammation of the iris of the eye.

IRK Irk, v. t. Etym: [OE. irken to tire, become tired; cf. Sw. yrka to urge, enforce, press, or G. ekel disgust, MHG. erklich disgusting; perh. akin to L. urgere to urge, E. urge.]

Defn: To weary; to give pain; to annoy; -- used only impersonally at present. To see this sight, it irks my very soul. Shak. It irketh him to be here. M. Arnold.

IRKSOME Irk"some, a.

1. Wearisome; tedious; disagreeable or troublesome by reason of long continuance or repetition; as, irksome hours; irksome tasks. For not to irksome toil, but to delight, He made us. Milton.

2. Weary; vexed; uneasy. [Obs.] Let us therefore learn not to be irksome when God layeth his cross upon us. Latimer.

Syn. -- Wearisome; tedious; tiresome; vexatious; burdensome. -- Irksome, Wearisome, Tedious. These epithets describe things which give pain or disgust. Irksome is applied to something which disgusts by its nature or quality; as, an irksome task. Wearisome denotes that which wearies or wears us out by severe labor; as, wearisome employment. Tedious is applied to something which tires us out by the length of time occupied in its performance; as, a tedious speech. Wearisome nights are appointed to me. Job vii. 3. Pity only on fresh objects stays, But with the tedious sight of woes decays. Dryden. -- Irk"some*ly, adv. -- Irk"some*ness, n.

IRON I"ron, n. Etym: [OE. iren, AS. iren, isen, isern; akin to D. ijzer, OS. isarn, OHG. isarn, isan, G. eisen, Icel. isarn, jarn, Sw. & Dan. jern, and perh. to E. ice; cf. Ir. iarann, W. haiarn, Armor. houarn.]

1. (Chem.)

Defn: The most common and most useful metallic element, being of almost universal occurrence, usually in the form of an oxide (as hematite, magnetite, etc.), or a hydrous oxide (as limonite, turgite, etc.). It is reduced on an enormous scale in three principal forms; viz., cast iron, steel, and wrought iron. Iron usually appears dark brown, from oxidation or impurity, but when pure, or an fresh surface, is a gray or white metal. It is easily oxidized (rusted) by moisture, and is attacked by many corrosive agents. Symbol Fe (Latin Ferrum). Atomic weight 55.9. Specific gravity, pure iron, 7.86; cast iron, 7.1. In magnetic properties, it is superior to all other substances.

Note: The value of iron is largely due to the facility with which it can be worked. Thus, when heated it is malleable and ductile, and can be easily welded and forged at a high temperature. As cast iron, it is easily fusible; as steel, is very tough, and (when tempered) very hard and elastic. Chemically, iron is grouped with cobalt and nickel. Steel is a variety of iron containing more carbon than wrought iron, but less that cast iron. It is made either from wrought iron, by roasting in a packing of carbon (cementation) or from cast iron, by burning off the impurities in a Bessemer converter (then called Bessemer steel), or directly from the iron ore (as in the Siemens rotatory and generating furnace).

2. An instrument or utensil made of iron; -- chiefly in composition; as, a flatiron, a smoothing iron, etc. My young soldier, put up your iron. Shak.

3. pl.

Defn: Fetters; chains; handcuffs; manacles. Four of the sufferers were left to rot in irons. Macaulay.

4. Strength; power; firmness; inflexibility; as, to rule with a rod of iron. Bar iron. See Wrought iron (below). -- Bog iron, bog ore; limonite. See Bog ore, under Bog. -- Cast iron (Metal.), an impure variety of iron, containing from three to six percent of carbon, part of which is united with a part of the iron, as a carbide, and the rest is uncombined, as graphite. It there is little free carbon, the product is white iron; if much of the carbon has separated as graphite, it is called gray iron. See also Cast iron, in the Vocabulary. -- Fire irons. See under Fire, n. -- Gray irons. See under Fire, n. -- Gray iron. See Cast iron (above). -- It irons (Naut.), said of a sailing vessel, when, in tacking, she comes up head to the wind and will not fill away on either tack. -- Magnetic iron. See Magnetite. -- Malleable iron (Metal.), iron sufficiently pure or soft to be capable of extension under the hammer; also, specif., a kind of iron produced by removing a portion of the carbon or other impurities from cast iron, rendering it less brittle, and to some extent malleable. -- Meteoric iron (Chem.), iron forming a large, and often the chief, ingredient of meteorites. It invariably contains a small amount of nickel and cobalt. Cf. Meteorite. -- Pig iron, the form in which cast iron is made at the blast furnace, being run into molds, called pigs. -- Reduced iron. See under Reduced. -- Specular iron. See Hematite. -- Too many irons in the fire, too many objects requiring the attention at once. -- White iron. See Cast iron (above). -- Wrought iron (Metal.), the purest form of iron commonly known in the arts, containing only about half of one per cent of carbon. It is made either directly from the ore, as in the Catalan forge or bloomery, or by purifying (puddling) cast iron in a reverberatory furnace or refinery. It is tough, malleable, and ductile. When formed into bars, it is called bar iron.

IRON I"ron, a. Etym: [AS. iren, isen. See Iron, n.]

1. Of, or made of iron; consisting of iron; as, an iron bar, dust.

2. Resembling iron in color; as, iron blackness.

3. Like iron in hardness, strength, impenetrability, power of endurance, insensibility, etc.; as: (a) Rude; hard; harsh; severe. Iron years of wars and dangers. Rowe. Jove crushed the nations with an iron rod. Pope.

(b) Firm; robust; enduring; as, an iron constitution. (c) Inflexible; unrelenting; as, an iron will. (d) Not to be broken; holding or binding fast; tenacious. "Him death's iron sleep oppressed." Philips.

Note: Iron is often used in composition, denoting made of iron, relating to iron, of or with iron; producing iron, etc.; resembling iron, literally or figuratively, in some of its properties or characteristics; as, iron-shod, iron-sheathed, iron-fisted, iron- framed, iron-handed, iron-hearted, iron foundry or iron-foundry. Iron age. (a) (Myth.) The age following the golden, silver, and bronze ages, and characterized by a general degeneration of talent and virtue, and of literary excellence. In Roman literature the Iron Age is commonly regarded as beginning after the taking of Rome by the Goths, A. D. 410. (b) (Archæol.) That stage in the development of any people characterized by the use of iron implements in the place of the more cumbrous stone and bronze. -- Iron cement, a cement for joints, composed of cast-iron borings or filings, sal ammoniac, etc. -- Iron clay (Min.), a yellowish clay containing a large proportion of an ore of iron. -- Iron cross, a Prussian order of military merit; also, the decoration of the order. -- Iron crown, a golden crown set with jewels, belonging originally to the Lombard kings, and indicating the dominion of Italy. It was so called from containing a circle said to have been forged from one of the nails in the cross of Christ. -- Iron flint (Min.), an opaque, flintlike, ferruginous variety of quartz. -- Iron founder, a maker of iron castings. -- Iron foundry, the place where iron castings are made. -- Iron furnace, a furnace for reducing iron from the ore, or for melting iron for castings, etc.; a forge; a reverberatory; a bloomery. -- Iron glance (Min.), hematite. -- Iron hat, a headpiece of iron or steel, shaped like a hat with a broad brim, and used as armor during the Middle Ages. -- Iron horse, a locomotive engine. [Colloq.] -- Iron liquor, a solution of an iron salt, used as a mordant by dyers. -- Iron man (Cotton Manuf.), a name for the self-acting spinning mule. -- Iron mold or mould, a yellow spot on cloth stained by rusty iron. -- Iron ore (Min.), any native compound of iron from which the metal may be profitably extracted. The principal ores are magnetite, hematite, siderite, limonite, Göthite, turgite, and the bog and clay iron ores. -- Iron pyrites (Min.), common pyrites, or pyrite. See Pyrites. -- Iron sand, an iron ore in grains, usually the magnetic iron ore, formerly used to sand paper after writing. -- Iron scale, the thin film which on the surface of wrought iron in the process of forging. It consists essentially of the magnetic oxide of iron, Fe3O4. -- Iron works, a furnace where iron is smelted, or a forge, rolling mill, or foundry, where it is made into heavy work, such as shafting, rails, cannon, merchant bar, etc.

IRON I"ron, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ironed; p. pr. & vb. n. Ironing.]

1. To smooth with an instrument of iron; especially, to smooth, as cloth, with a heated flatiron; -- sometimes used with out.

2. To shackle with irons; to fetter or handcuff. "Ironed like a malefactor." Sir W. Scott.

3. To furnish or arm with iron; as, to iron a wagon.

IRONBARK TREE I"ron*bark` tree`. (Bot.)

Defn: The Australian Eucalyptus Sideroxylon, used largely by carpenters and shipbuilders; -- called also ironwood.

IRONBOUND I"ron*bound`, a.

1. Bound as with iron; rugged; as, an ironbound coast.

2. Rigid; unyielding; as, ironbound traditions.

IRON-CASED I"ron-cased`, a.

Defn: Cased or covered with iron, as a vessel; ironclad.

IRONCLAD I"ron*clad`, a.

1. Clad in iron; protected or covered with iron, as a vessel for naval warfare.

2. Rigorous; severe; exacting; as, an ironclad oath or pledge. [Colloq.]

IRONCLAD I"ron*clad`, n.

Defn: A naval vessel having the parts above water covered and protected by iron or steel usually in large plates closely joined and made sufficiently thick and strong to resist heavy shot.

IRONER I"ron*er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, irons.

IRON-FISTED I"ron-fist`ed, a.

Defn: Closefisted; stingy; mean.

IRON-GRAY I"ron-gray`, a.

Defn: Of a gray color, somewhat resembling that of iron freshly broken. -- n.

Defn: An iron-gray color; also, a horse of this color.

IRONHEADS I"ron*heads`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A European composite herb (Centaurea nigra); -- so called from the resemblance of its knobbed head to an iron ball fixed on a long handle. Dr. Prior.

IRON-HEARTED I"ron-heart`ed, a.

Defn: Hard-hearted; unfeeling; cruel; as, an iron-hearted master. Cowper.

IRONIC I*ron"ic, a.

Defn: Ironical. Sir T. Herbert.

IRONICAL I*ron"ic*al, a. Etym: [LL. ironicus, Gr. ironique. See Irony.]

1. Pertaining to irony; containing, expressing, or characterized by, irony; as, an ironical remark.

2. Addicted to the use of irony; given to irony. -- I*ron"ic*al*ly, adv. -- I*ron"ic*al*ness, n.

IRONING I"ron*ing, n.

1. The act or process of smoothing, as clothes, with hot flatirons.

2. The clothes ironed. Ironing board, a flat board, upon which clothes are laid being ironed.

IRONISH I"ron*ish, a.

Defn: Resembling iron, as in taste. Wood.

IRONIST I"ron*ist, n.

Defn: One who uses irony.

IRONMASTER I"ron*mas`ter, n.

Defn: A manufacturer of iron, or large dealer therein. Bp. Hurd.

IRONMONGER I"ron*mon`ger, n.

Defn: A dealer in iron or hardware.

IRONMONGERY I"ron*mon`ger*y, n.

Defn: Hardware; a general name for all articles made of iron. Gwilt.

IRON-SICK I"ron-sick`, a. (Naut.)

Defn: Having the ironwork loose or corroded; -- said of a ship when her bolts and nails are so eaten with rust that she has become leaky.

IRON-SIDED I"ron-sid`ed, a.

Defn: Having iron sides, or very firm sides.

IRONSIDES I"ron*sides", n.

Defn: A cuirassier or cuirassiers; also, hardy veteran soldiers; -- applied specifically to Cromwell's cavalry.

IRONSMITH I"ron*smith`, n.

1. A worker in iron; one who makes and repairs utensils of iron; a blacksmith.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: An East Indian barbet (Megalaima faber), inhabiting the Island of Hainan. The name alludes to its note, which resembles the sounds made by a smith.

IRONSTONE I"ron*stone`, n.

Defn: A hard, earthy ore of iron. Clay ironstone. See under Clay. -- Ironstone china, a hard white pottery, first made in England during the 18th century.

IRONWARE I"ron*ware`, n.

Defn: Articles made of iron, as household utensils, tools, and the like.

IRONWEED I"ron*weed`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A tall weed with purplish flowers (Vernonia Noveboracensis). The name is also applied to other plants of the same genus.

IRONWOOD I"ron*wood`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A tree unusually hard, strong, or heavy wood.

Note: In the United States, the hornbeam and the hop hornbeam are so called; also the Olneya Tesota, a small tree of Arizona; in the West Indies, the Erythroxylon areolatum, and several other unrelated trees; in China, the Metrosideros vera; in India, the Mesua ferrea, and two species of Inga; in Australia, the Eucalyptus Sideroxylon, and in many countries, species of Sideroxylon and Diospyros, and many other trees.

IRONWORK I"ron*work`, n.

Defn: Anything made of iron; -- a general name of such parts or pieces of a building, vessel, carriage, etc., as consist of iron.

IRON WORKS I"ron works`

Defn: . See under Iron, a.

IRONWORT I"ron*wort`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: An herb of the Mint family (Sideritis), supposed to heal sword cuts; also, a species of Galeopsis.

IRONY I"ron*y, a. Etym: [From Iron.]

1. Made or consisting of iron; partaking of iron; iron; as, irony chains; irony particles. [R.] Woodward.

2. Resembling iron taste, hardness, or other physical property.

IRONY I"ron*y, n.Etym: [L. ironia, Gr. word: cf. F. ironie.]

1. Dissimulation; ignorance feigned for the purpose of confounding or provoking an antagonist.

2. A sort of humor, ridicule, or light sarcasm, which adopts a mode of speech the meaning of which is contrary to the literal sense of the words.

IROQUOIAN Ir`o*quoi"an (ir`o*kwoi"an), a.

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or designating, one of the principal linguistic stocks of the North American Indians. The territory of the northern Iroquoian tribes, of whom the Five Nations, or Iroquois proper, were the chief, extended from the shores of the St. Lawrence and of Lakes Huron, Ontario, and Erie south, through eastern Pennsylvania, to Maryland; that of the southern tribes, of whom the Cherokees were chief, formed part of Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. All of the tribes were agricultural, and they were noted for large, communal houses, palisaded towns, and ability to organize, as well as for skill in war. --n.

Defn: An Indian of an Iroquoian tribe.

IROQUOIS Ir`o*quois", n. sing. & pl. Etym: [F.] (Ethnol.)

Defn: A powerful and warlike confederacy of Indian tribes, formerly inhabiting Central New York and constituting most of the Five Nations. Also, any Indian of the Iroquois tribes.

IROUS I"rous, a. Etym: [OF. iros, from ire. See Ire.]

Defn: Irascible; passionate. [Obs.] Chaucer.

IRP; IRPE Irp, Irpe, n. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.]

Defn: A fantastic grimace or contortion of the body. [Obs.] Smirks and irps and all affected humors. B. Jonson .

IRP Irp, a.

Defn: Making irps. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

IRRADIANCE; IRRADIANCY Ir*ra"di*ance, Ir*ra"di*an*cy, n. Etym: [From Irradiant.]

1. The act of irradiating; emission of rays of light.

2. That which irradiates or is irradiated; luster; splendor; irradiation; brilliancy. Milton.

IRRADIANT Ir*ra"di*ant, a. Etym: [L. irradians, -antis, p. pr. See Irradiate.]

Defn: Irradiating or illuminating; as, the irradiant moon. Boyse.

IRRADIATE Ir*ra"di*ate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Irradiated; p. pr. & vb. n. Irradiating.] Etym: [L. irradiatus, p. p. of irradiate. See In- in, and Radiate.]

1. To throw rays of light upon; to illuminate; to brighten; to adorn with luster. Thy smile irradiates yon blue fields. Sir W. Jones.

2. To enlighten intellectually; to illuminate; as, to irradiate the mind. Bp. Bull.

3. To animate by heat or light. Sir M. Hale.

4. To radiate, shed, or diffuse. A splendid fairradiating hospitality. H. James.

IRRADIATE Ir*ra"di*ate, v. i.

Defn: To emit rays; to shine.

IRRADIATE Ir*ra"di*ate, a. Etym: [L. irradiatus, p. p.]

Defn: Illuminated; irradiated. Mason.

IRRADIATION Ir*ra`di*a"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. irradiation.]

1. Act of irradiating, or state of being irradiated.

2. Illumination; irradiance; brilliancy. Sir W. Scott.

3. Fig.: Mental light or illumination. Sir M. Hale.

4. (Opt.)

Defn: The apparent enlargement of a bright object seen upon a dark ground, due to the fact that the portions of the retina around the image are stimulated by the intense light; as when a dark spot on a white ground appears smaller, or a white spot on a dark ground larger, than it really is, esp. when a little out of focus.

IRRADICATE Ir*rad"i*cate, v. t.

Defn: To root deeply. [R.]

IRRATIONAL Ir*ra"tion*al, a. Etym: [L. irrationalis: cf. F. irrationnel. See In- not, and Rational.]

1. Not rational; void of reason or understanding; as, brutes are irrational animals.

2. Not according to reason; absurd; foolish. It seemed utterly irrational any longer to maintain it. I. Taylor.

3. (Math.)

Defn: Not capable of being exactly expressed by an integral number, or by a vulgar fraction; surd; -- said especially of roots. See Surd.

Syn. -- Absurd; foolish; preposterous; unreasonable; senseless. See Absurd.

IRRATIONALITY Ir*ra`tion*al"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being irrational. "Brutish irrationaliity." South.

IRRATIONALLY Ir*ra"tion*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In an irrational manner. Boyle.

IRRATIONALNESS Ir*ra"tion*al*ness, n.

Defn: Irrationality.

IRREBUTTABLE Ir`re*but"ta*ble, a.

Defn: Incapable of being rebutted. Coleridge.

IRRECEPTIVE Ir`re*cep"tive, a.

Defn: Not receiving; incapable of receiving.

IRRECLAIMABLE Ir`re*claim"a*ble, a.

Defn: Incapable of being reclaimed. Addison. -- Ir`re*claim"a*bly, ad

IRRECOGNITION Ir*rec`og*ni"tion, n. Etym: [Pref. in- not + recognition.]

Defn: A failure to recognize; absence of recognition. Lamb.

IRRECOGNIZABLE Ir*rec"og*ni`za*ble, a.

Defn: Not recognizable. Carlyle.

IRRECONCILABILITY Ir*rec`on*ci`la*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being irreconcilable; irreconcilableness.

IRRECONCILABLE Ir*rec"on*ci`la*ble, a. Etym: [Pref. ir- not + reconcilable: cf. F. irréconciliable.]

Defn: Not reconcilable; implacable; incompatible; inconsistent; disagreeing; as, irreconcilable enemies, statements. -- Ir*rec"on*ci`la*ble*ness, n. -- Ir*rec"on*ci`la*bly, adv.

IRRECONCILE Ir*rec"on*cile`, v. t.

Defn: To prevent from being reconciled; to alienate or disaffect. [Obs.]

IRRECONCILEMENT Ir*rec"on*cile`ment, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being unreconciled; disagreement.

IRRECONCILIATION Ir*rec`on*cil`i*a"tion, n.

Defn: Want of reconciliation; disagreement.

IRRECORDABLE Ir`re*cord"a*ble, a. Etym: [Pref. ir-- not + record: cf. L. irrecordabilis not to be remembered.]

Defn: Not fit or possible to be recorded.

IRRECOVERABLE Ir`re*cov"er*a*ble, a.

Defn: Not capable of being recovered, regained, or remedied; irreparable; as, an irrecoverable loss, debt, or injury. That which is past is gone and irrecoverable. Bacon.

Syn. -- Irreparable; irretrievable; irremediable; unalterable; incurable; hopeless. -- Ir`re*cov"er*a*ble*ness, n. -- Ir`re*cov"er*a*bly, adv.

IRRECUPERABLE Ir`re*cu"per*a*ble, a. Etym: [L. irrecuperabilis: cf. OF. irrecuperable. See In- not, and Recuperate.]

Defn: Irrecoverable. -- Ir`re*cu"per*a*bly, adv.

IRRECURED Ir`re*cured", a.

Defn: Incurable. [Obs.]

IRRECUSABLE Ir`re*cu"sa*ble, a. Etym: [L. irrecusabilis; pref. ir-- not + recusabilis that should be rejected, fr. recusare to reject: cf. F. irrécusable.]

Defn: Not liable to exception or rejection. Sir W. Hamilton.

IRREDEEMABILITY Ir`re*deem`a*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being irredeemable; irredeemableness.

IRREDEEMABLE Ir`re*deem"a*ble, a.

Defn: Not redeemable; that can not be redeemed; not payable in gold or silver, as a bond; -- used especially of such government notes, issued as currency, as are not convertible into coin at the pleasure of the holder. -- Ir`re*deem"a*ble*ness, adv.

IRREDUCIBILITY Ir`re*du`ci*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being irreducible.

IRREDUCIBLE Ir`re*du"ci*ble, a.

1. Incapable of being reduced, or brought into a different state; incapable of restoration to its proper or normal condition; as, an irreducible hernia.

2. (Math.)

Defn: Incapable of being reduced to a simpler form of expression; as, an irreducible formula. Irreducible case (Alg.), a particular case in the solution of a cubic equation, in which the formula commonly employed contains an imaginary quantity, and therefore fails in its application. -- Ir`re*du"ci*ble*ness, n. -- -- Ir`re*du"ci*bly, adv.

IRREFLECTION Ir`re*flec"tion, n.

Defn: Want of reflection.

IRREFLECTIVE Ir`re*flect"ive, a.

Defn: Not reflective. De Quincey.

IRREFORMABLE Ir`re*form"a*ble, a.

Defn: Incapable of being reformed; incorrigible. Joseph Cook.

IRREFRAGABILITY Ir*ref`ra*ga*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being irrefragable; incapability of being refuted.

IRREFRAGABLE Ir*ref"ra*ga*ble, a. Etym: [F. irréfragable, L. irrefragabilis. See Refragable.]

Defn: Not refragable; not to be gainsaid or denied; not to be refuted or overthrown; unanswerable; incontestable; undeniable; as, an irrefragable argument; irrefragable evidence. -- Ir*ref"ra*ga*ble*ness, n. -- Ir*ref"ra*ga*bly, adv.

Syn. -- Incontrovertible; unanswerable; indisputable; unquestionable; incontestable; indubitable; undeniable; irrefutable.

IRREFRANGIBILITY Ir`re*fran`gi*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being irrefrangible; irrefrangibleness.

IRREFRANGIBLE Ir`re*fran"gi*ble, a.

Defn: Not refrangible; that can not be refracted in passing from one medium to another. -- Ir`re*fran"gi*ble*ness, n.

IRREFUTABLE Ir`re*fut"a*ble, a. Etym: [L. irrefutabilis: cf. F. irréfutable. See Refute.]

Defn: Incapable of being refuted or disproved; indisputable. -- Ir`re*fut"a*ble*ness, n. -- Ir`re*fut"a*bly, adv.

IRREGENERACY Ir`re*gen"er*a*cy, n.

Defn: Unregeneracy.

IRREGENERATION Ir`re*gen`er*a"tion, n.

Defn: An unregenerate state. [Obs.]

IRREGULAR Ir*reg"u*lar, a. Etym: [Pref. ir- not + regular: cf. F. irrégulier.]

Defn: Not regular; not conforming to a law, method, or usage recognized as the general rule; not according to common form; not conformable to nature, to the rules of moral rectitude, or to established principles; not normal; unnatural; immethodical; unsymmetrical; erratic; no straight; not uniform; as, an irregular line; an irregular figure; an irregular verse; an irregular physician; an irregular proceeding; irregular motion; irregular conduct, etc. Cf. Regular. Mazes intricate, Eccentric, intervolved, yet regular Then most when most irregular they seem. Milton. Leading the men of Herefordshire to fight Against the irregular and wild Glendower. Shak. A flowery meadow through which a clear stream murmured in many irregular meanders. Jones.

Syn. -- Immethodical; unsystematic; abnormal; unnatural; anomalous; erratic; devious; crooked; eccentric; unsettled; uneven; variable; changeable; mutable; desultory; disorderly; wild; immoderate; intemperate; inordinate; vicious.

IRREGULAR Ir*reg"u*lar, n.

Defn: One who is not regular; especially, a soldier not in regular service.

IRREGULARIST Ir*reg"u*lar*ist, n.

Defn: One who is irregular. Baxter.

IRREGULARITY Ir*reg`u*lar"i*ty, n.; pl. Irregularities. Etym: [Cf. F. irrégularité.]

Defn: The state or quality of being irregular; that which is irregular.

IRREGULARLY Ir*reg"u*lar*ly, adv.

Defn: In an irregular manner.

IRREGULATE Ir*reg"u*late, v. t.

Defn: To make irregular; to disorder. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

IRREGULOUS Ir*reg"u*lous, a.

Defn: Lawless. [Obs.] Shak.

IRREJECTABLE Ir`re*ject"a*ble, a.

Defn: That can not be rejected; irresistible. Boyle.

IRRELAPSABLE Ir`re*laps"a*ble, a.

Defn: Not liable to relapse; secure. Dr. H. More.

IRRELATE Ir`re*late, a.

Defn: Ir

IRRELATION Ir`re*la"tion, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being irrelative; want of connection or relation.

IRRELATIVE Ir*rel"a*tive, a.

Defn: Not relative; without mutual relations; unconnected. -- Ir*rel"a*tive*ly, adv. Irrelative chords (Mus.), those having no common tone. -- Irrelative repetition (Biol.), the multiplication of parts that serve for a common purpose, but have no mutual dependence or connection. Owen.

IRRELAVANCE Ir*rel"a*vance, n.

Defn: Irrelevancy.

IRRELAVANCY Ir*rel"a*van*cy, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being irrelevant; as, the irrelevancy of an argument.

IRRELAVANT Ir*rel"a*vant, a.

Defn: Not relevant; not applicable or pertinent; not bearing upon or serving to support; foreign; extraneous; as, testimony or arguments irrelevant to a case. -- Ir*rel"a*vant*ly, adv.

IRRELIEVABLE Ir`re*liev"a*ble, a.

Defn: Not admitting relief; incurable; hopeless.

IRRELIGION Ir`re*li"gion, n. Etym: [L. irreligio: cf. F. irréligion. See In- not, and Religion.]

Defn: The state of being irreligious; want of religion; impiety.

IRRELIGIONIST Ir`re*li"gion*ist, n.

Defn: One who is irreligious.

IRRELIGIOUS Ir`re*li"gious, a. Etym: [L. irreligiosus: cf. F. irréligieux.]

1. Destitute of religion; not controlled by religious motives or principles; ungodly. Cf. Impiou. Shame and reproach are generally the portion of the impious and irreligious. South.

2. Indicating a want of religion; profane; wicked; as, irreligious speech.

IRRELIGIOUSLY Ir`re*li"gious*ly, adv.

Defn: In an irreligious manner.

IRRELIGIOUSNESS Ir`re*li"gious*ness, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being irreligious; ungodliness.

IRREMEABLE Ir*re"me*a*ble, a. Etym: [L. irremeabilis; pref. ir- not + remeabilis returning, fr. remeare: cf. F. irréméable. See Remeant.]

Defn: Admitting no return; as, an irremeable way. [Obs.] Dryden.

IRREMEDIABLE Ir`re*me"di*a*ble, a. Etym: [L. irremediabilis: cf. F. irrémédiable. See In- not, and Remediable.]

Defn: Not to be remedied, corrected, or redressed; incurable; as, an irremediable disease or evil.

IRREMEDIABLENESS Ir`re*me"di*a*ble*ness, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being irremediable.

IRREMEDIABLY Ir`re*me"di*a*bly, adv.

Defn: In a manner, or to a degree, that precludes remedy, cure, or correction.

IRREMISSIBLE Ir`re*mis"si*ble, a. Etym: [L. irremissibilis: cf. F. irrémissible. See In- not, and Remissible.]

Defn: Not remissible; unpardonable; as, irremissible crimes. Burke. -- Ir`re*mis"si*ble, n. -- Ir`re*mis"si*bly, adv.

IRREMISSION Ir`re*mis"sion, n.

Defn: Refusal of pardon.

IRREMISSIVE Ir`re*mis"sive, a.

Defn: Not remitting; unforgiving.

IRREMITTABLE Ir`re*mit"ta*ble, a.

Defn: Not capable of being remitted; irremissible. Holinshed.

IRREMOVABILITY Ir`re*mov`a*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being irremovable; immovableness.

IRREMOVABLE Ir`re*mov"a*ble, a.

Defn: Not removable; immovable; inflexible. Shak. -- Ir`re*mov"a*bly, adv.

IRREMOVAL Ir`re*mov"al, n.

Defn: Absence of removal.

IRREMUNERABLE Ir`re*mu"ner*a*ble, a. Etym: [L. irremunerabilis: cf. F. irrémunérable. See Remunerate.]

Defn: Not remunerable; not capable of remuneration.

IRRENOWNED Ir`re*nowned", a.

Defn: Not renowned. [Obs.]

IRREPARABILITY Ir*rep`a*ra*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. irréparabilité.]

Defn: The quality or state of being irreparable; irreparableness. Sterne.

IRREPARABLE Ir*rep"a*ra*ble, a. Etym: [L. irreparabilis: cf. F. irréparable. See In- not, and Reparable.]

Defn: Not reparable; not capable of being repaired, recovered, regained, or remedied; irretrievable; irremediable; as, an irreparable breach; an irreparable loss. Shak.

IRREPARABLENESS Ir*rep"a*ra*ble*ness, n.

Defn: Quality of being irreparable.

IRREPARABLY Ir*rep"a*ra*bly, adv.

Defn: In an irreparable manner.

IRREPEALABILITY Ir`re*peal`a*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being irrepealable.

IRREPEALABLE Ir`re*peal"a*ble, a.

Defn: Not repealable; not capable of being repealed or revoked, as a law. -- Ir`re*peal"a*ble*ness, n. -- Ir`re*peal"a*bly, adv.

IRREPENTANCE Ir`re*pent"ance, n.

Defn: Want of repentance; impenitence. Bp. Montagu.

IRREPLEVIABLE; IRREPLEVISABLE Ir`re*plev"i*a*ble, Ir`re*plev"i*sa*ble, a. (Law)

Defn: Not capable of being replevied.

IRREPREHENSIBLE Ir*rep`re*hen"si*ble, a. Etym: [L. irreprehensibilis: cf. F. irrépréhensible. See Reprehensible.]

Defn: Not reprehensible; blameless; innocent. -- Ir*rep`re*hen"si*ble*ness, n. -- Ir*rep`re*hen"si*bly, adv.

IRREPRESENTABLE Ir*rep`re*sent"a*ble, a.

Defn: Not capable of being represented or portrayed.

IRREPRESSIBLE Ir`re*press"i*ble, a.

Defn: Not capable of being repressed, restrained, or controlled; as, irrepressible joy; an irrepressible conflict. W. H. Steward.

IRREPRESSIBLY Ir`re*press"i*bly, adv.

Defn: In a manner or to a degree that can not be repressed.

IRREPROACHABLE Ir`re*proach"a*ble, a. Etym: [Pref. ir- not + reproachable: cf. F. irréprochable.]

Defn: Not reproachable; above reproach; not deserving reproach; blameless. He [Berkely] erred, -- and who is free from error -- but his intentions were irreproachable. Beattie.

IRREPROACHABLENESS Ir`re*proach"a*ble*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being irreproachable; integrity; innocence.

IRREPROACHABLY Ir`re*proach"a*bly, adv.

Defn: In an irreproachable manner; blamelessly.

IRREPROVABLE Ir`re*prov"a*ble, a.

Defn: Incapable of being justly reproved; irreproachable; blameless; upright. -- Ir`re*prov"a*ble*ness, n. -- Ir`re*prov"a*bly, adv.

IRREPTITIOUS Ir`rep*ti"tious, a. Etym: [L. irrepere, irreptum, to creep in; pref. ir- in + repere to creep.]

Defn: Surreptitious; spurious. [Obs.] Dr. Castell (1673).

IRREPUTABLE Ir*rep"u*ta*ble, a.

Defn: Disreputable. [Obs.]

IRRESILIENT Ir`re*sil"i*ent, a.

Defn: Not resilient; not recoiling or rebounding; inelastic.

IRRESISTANCE Ir`re*sist"ance, n.

Defn: Nonresistance; passive submission.

IRRESISTIBILITY Ir`re*sist`i*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. irrésistibilité.]

Defn: The quality or state of being irrestible, irresistibleness.

IRRESISTIBLE Ir`re*sist"i*ble, a. Etym: [Pref. ir- not + resistible: cf. F. irrésistible.]

Defn: That can not be successfully resisted or opposed; superior to opposition; resistless; overpowering; as, an irresistible attraction. An irresistible law of our nature impels us to seek happiness. J. M. Mason.

IRRESISTIBLENESS Ir`re*sist"i*ble*ness, n.

Defn: Quality of being irrestible.

IRRESISTIBLY Ir`re*sist"i*bly, adv.

Defn: In an irrestible manner.

IRRESISTLESS Ir`re*sist"less, a.

Defn: Irresistible. [Obs.] Glanvill.

IRRESOLUBLE Ir*res"o*lu*ble, a. Etym: [L. irresolubilis: cf. F. irrésoluble. See Resoluble, and cf. Irresolvable.]

1. Incapable of being dissolved or resolved into parts; insoluble. Boyle.

2. Incapable of being relieved or assisted. [Obs.] The second is in the irresoluble condition of our souls after a known sin committed. Bp. Hall.

IRRESOLUBLENESS Ir*res"o*lu*ble*ness, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being irresoluble; insolubility.

IRRESOLUTE Ir*res"o*lute, a. Etym: [Pref. ir- not + resolute: cf. F. irrésolu, L. irresolutus not loosened.]

Defn: Not resolute; not decided or determined; wavering; given to doubt or irresolution. Weak and irresolute is man. Cowper.

Syn. -- Wavering; vacillating; undetermined; undecided; unsettled; fickle; changeable; inconstant. -- Ir*res"o*lute*ly, adv. -- Ir*res"o*lute*ness, n.

IRRESOLUTION Ir*res`o*lu"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. irrésolution.]

Defn: Want of resolution; want of decision in purpose; a fluctuation of mind, as in doubt, or between hope and fear; irresoluteness; indecision; vacillation. Irresolution on the schemes of life which offer themselves to our choice, and inconstancy in pursuing them, are the greatest causes of all unhappiness. Addison.

IRRESOLVABILITY Ir`re*solv`a*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality of being irresolvable; irresolvableness.

IRRESOLVABLE Ir`re*solv"a*ble, a. Etym: [Pref. ir- not + resolvable. Cf. Irresoluble.]

Defn: Incapable of being resolved; not separable into component parts. Irresolvable nebulæ (Astron.), nebulæ of a cloudlike appearance, which have not yet been resolved by the telescope into stars. Sir W. Herschel.

IRRESOLVABLENESS Ir`re*solv"a*ble*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being irresolvable; irresolvability.

IRRESOLVEDLY Ir`re*solv"ed*ly, adv.

Defn: Without settled determination; in a hesitating manner; doubtfully. [R.]

IRRESPECTIVE Ir`re*spec"tive, a.

1. Without regard for conditions, circumstances, or consequences; unbiased; independent; impartial; as, an irrespective judgment.

According to this doctrine, it must be resolved wholly into the absolute, irrespective will of God. Rogers.

2. Disrespectful. [Obs.] Sir C. Cornwallis. Irrespective of, regardless of; without regard to; as, irrespective of differences.

IRRESPECTIVELY Ir`re*spec"tive*ly, adv.

Defn: Without regard to conditions; not making circumstances into consideration. Prosperity, considered absolutely and irrespectively, is better and more desirable than adversity. South.

IRRESPIRABLE Ir*res"pi*ra*ble, a. Etym: [L. irrespirabilis: cf. F. irrespirable. See Respirable.]

Defn: Unfit for respiration; not having the qualities necessary to support animal life; as, irrespirable air.

IRRESPONSIBILITY Ir`re*spon`si*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. irresponsabilité.]

Defn: Want of, or freedom from, responsibility or accountability.

IRRESPONSIBLE Ir`re*spon"si*ble, a. Etym: [Pref. ir- not + responsible: cf. F. irresponsable.]

1. Nor responsible; not liable or able to answer fro consequences; innocent.

2. Not to be trusted; unreliable.

IRRESPONSIBLY Ir`re*spon"si*bly, adv.

Defn: So as not to be responsible.

IRRESPONSIVE Ir`re*spon"sive, a.

Defn: Not responsive; not able, ready, or inclined to respond.

IRRESUSCITABLE Ir`re*sus"ci*ta*ble, a.

Defn: Incapable of being resuscitated or revived. -- Ir`re*sus"ci*ta*bly, adv.

IRRETENTION Ir`re*ten"tion, n.

Defn: Want of retaining power; forgetfulness. De Quincey.

IRRETENTIVE Ir`re*ten"tive, a.

Defn: Not retentive; as, an irretentive memory.

IRRETRACEABLE Ir`re*trace"a*ble, a.

Defn: Incapable of being retraced; not retraceable.

IRRETRACTILE Ir`re*tract"ile, a.

1. Not retractile.

2. Not tractile or ductile. [R.] Sir W. Hamilton.

IRRETRIEVABLE Ir`re*triev"a*ble, a.

Defn: Not retrievable; irrecoverable; irreparable; as, an irretrievable loss.

Syn. -- Irremediable; incurable; irrecoverable.

IRRETRIEVABLENESS Ir`re*triev"a*ble*ness, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being irretrievable.

IRRETRIEVABLY Ir`re*triev"a*bly, adv.

Defn: In an irretrievable manner.

IRRETURNABLE Ir`re*turn"a*ble, a.

Defn: Not to be returned.

IRREVEALABLE Ir`re*veal"a*ble, a.

Defn: Incapable of being revealed. -- Ir`re*veal"a*bly, adv.

IRREVERENCE Ir*rev"er*ence, n. Etym: [L. irreverentia: cf. F. irrévérence.]

Defn: The state or quality of being irreverent; want of proper reverence; disregard of the authority and character of a superior.

IRREVEREND Ir*rev"er*end, a.

Defn: Irreverent. [Obs.] Immodest speech, or irreverend gesture. Strype.

IRREVERENT Ir*rev"er*ent, a. Etym: [L. irreverens, -entis: cf. F. irrévérent. See In- not, and Reverent.]

Defn: Not reverent; showing a want of reverence; expressive of a want of veneration; as, an irreverent babbler; an irreverent jest.

IRREVERENTLY Ir*rev"er*ent*ly, adv.

Defn: In an irreverent manner.

IRREVERSIBILITY Ir`re*vers`i*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being irreversible; irreversibleness.

IRREVERSIBLE Ir`re*vers"i*ble, a.

1. Incapable of being reversed or turned about or back; incapable of being made to run backward; as, an irreversible engine.

2. Incapable of being reversed, recalled, repealed, or annulled; as, an irreversible sentence or decree. This rejection of the Jews, as it is not universal, so neither is it final and irreversible. Jortin.

Syn. -- Irrevocable; irrepealable; unchangeable.

IRREVERSIBLENESS Ir`re*vers"i*ble*ness, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being irreversible.

IRREVERSIBLE STEERING GEAR Ir`re*vers"i*ble steering gear. (Mach.)

Defn: A steering gear, esp. for an automobile, not affected by the road wheels, as when they strike an obstacle side ways, but easily controlled by the hand wheel or steering lever.

IRREVERSIBLY Ir`re*vers"i*bly, adv.

Defn: In an irreversible manner.

IRREVOCABILITY Ir*rev`o*ca*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. irrévocabilité.]

Defn: The state or quality of being irrevocable; irrevocableness.

IRREVOCABLE Ir*rev"o*ca*ble, a. Etym: [L. irrevocabilis: cf. F. irrévocable. See In- not, and Revoke, and cf. Irrevocable.]

Defn: Incapable of being recalled or revoked; unchangeable; irreversible; unalterable; as, an irrevocable promise or decree; irrevocable fate. Firm and irrevocable is my doom. Shak. -- Ir*rev"o*ca*ble*ness, n. -- Ir*rev"o*ca*bly, adv.

IRREVOKABLE Ir`re*vok"a*ble, a. Etym: [Pref. ir- not + revoke.]

Defn: Irrevocable. [R.]

IRREVOLUBLE Ir*rev"o*lu*ble, a.

Defn: That has no finite period of revolution; not revolving. [R.] The dateless and irrevocable circle of eternity. Milton.

IRRHETORICAL Ir`rhe*tor"ic*al, a.

Defn: Not rethorical.

IRRIGATE Ir"ri*gate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Irrigated; p. pr. & vb. n. Irrigating.] Etym: [L. irrigatus, p. p. of irrigare to irrigate: ir- in + rigare to water; prob. akin to E. rain. See Rain.]

1. To water; to wet; to moisten with running or dropping water; to bedew.

2. (Agric.)

Defn: To water, as land, by causing a stream to flow upon, over, or through it, as in artificial channels.

IRRIGATION Ir`ri*ga"tion, n. Etym: [L. irrigatio: cf. F. irrigation.]

Defn: The act or process of irrigating, or the state of being irrigated; especially, the operation of causing water to flow over lands, for nourishing plants.

IRRIGUOUS Ir*rig"u*ous, a. Etym: [L. irriguus. See Irrigate.]

1. Watered; watery; moist; dewy. [Obs.] The flowery lap Of some irriguous valley spreads her store. Milton.

2. Gently penetrating or pervading. [Obs.] J. Philips.

IRRISIBLE Ir*ris"i*ble, a. Etym: [Pref. ir- not + risible. See Irrision.]

Defn: Not risible. [R.]

IRRISION Ir*ri"sion, n. Etym: [L. irrisio, fr. irridere, irrisum. to laugh at; pref. ir- in + ridere to laugh: cf. F. irrision.]

Defn: The act of laughing at another; derision. This being spoken scepticè, or by way of irrision. Chapman.

IRRITABILITY Ir`ri*ta*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. irritabilitas: cf. F. irritabilité.]

1. The state or quality of being irritable; quick excitability; petulance; fretfulness; as, irritability of temper.

2. (Physiol.)

Defn: A natural susceptibility, characteristic of all living organisms, tissues, and cells, to the influence of certain stimuli, response being manifested in a variety of ways, -- as that quality in plants by which they exhibit motion under suitable stimulation; esp., the property which living muscle processes, of responding either to a direct stimulus of its substance, or to the stimulating influence of its nerve fibers, the response being indicated by a change of form, or contraction; contractility.

3. (Med.)

Defn: A condition of morbid excitability of an organ or part of the body; undue susceptibility to the influence of stimuli. See Irritation, n., 3.

IRRITABLE Ir"ri*ta*ble, a. Etym: [L. irritabilis: cf. F. irritable. See Irritate.]

1. Capable of being irriated.

2. Very susceptible of anger or passion; easily inflamed or exasperated; as, an irritable temper. Vicious, old, and irritable. Tennyson.

3. (Physiol.)

Defn: Endowed with irritability; susceptible of irritation; capable of being excited to action by the application of certain stimuli.

4. (Med.)

Defn: Susceptible of irritation; unduly sensitive to irritants or stimuli. See Irritation, n., 3.

Syn. -- Excitable; irascible; touchy; fretful; peevish.

IRRITABLENESS Ir"ri*ta*ble*ness, n.

Defn: Irritability.

IRRITABLY Ir"ri*ta*bly, adv.

Defn: In an irritable manner.

IRRITANCY Ir"ri*tan*cy, n. Etym: [From 1st Irritant.] (Scots Law)

Defn: The state or quality of being null and void; invalidity; forfeiture. Burrill.

IRRITANCY Ir"ri*tan*cy, n. Etym: [From 2d Irritant.]

Defn: The state o quality of being irritant or irritating.

IRRITANT Ir"ri*tant, a. Etym: [LL. irritants, -antis, p. pr. of irritare to make null, fr. L. irritus void; pref. ir- not + ratus established.] (Scots Law)

Defn: Rendering null and void; conditionally invalidating. The states elected Harry, Duke of Anjou, for their king, with this clause irritant; that, if he did violate any part of his oath, the people should owe him no allegiance. Hayward.

IRRITANT Ir"ri*tant, a. Etym: [L. irritans, -antis, p. pr. of irritare: cf. F. irritant. See Irritate to excite.]

Defn: Irritating; producing irritation or inflammation.

IRRITANT Ir"ri*tant, n. Etym: [Cf. F. irritant.]

1. That which irritates or excites.

2. (Physiol. & Med.)

Defn: Any agent by which irritation is produced; as, a chemical irritant; a mechanical or electrical irritant.

3. (Toxicology)

Defn: A poison that produces inflammation. Counter irritant. See under Counter. -- Pure irritant (Toxicology), a poison that produces inflammation without any corrosive action upon the tissues.

IRRITATE Ir"ri*tate, v. t. Etym: [See 1 st Irritant.]

Defn: To render null and void. [R.] Abp. Bramhall.

IRRITATE Ir"ri*tate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Irritated; p. pr. & vb. n. Irritating.] Etym: [L. irritatus, p. p. of irritare. Of doubtful origin.]

1. To increase the action or violence of; to heighten excitement in; to intensify; to stimulate. Cold maketh the spirits vigorous and irritateth them. Bacon.

2. To excite anger or displeasure in; to provoke; to tease; to exasperate; to annoy; to vex; as, the insolence of a tyrant irritates his subjects. Dismiss the man, nor irritate the god: Prevent the rage of him who reigns above. Pope.

3. (Physiol.)

Defn: To produce irritation in; to stimulate; to cause to contract. See Irritation, n., 2.

4. (Med.)

Defn: To make morbidly excitable, or oversensitive; to fret; as, the skin is irritated by friction; to irritate a wound by a coarse bandage.

Syn. -- To fret; inflame; excite; provoke; tease; vex; exasperate; anger; incense; enrage. -- To Irritate, Provoke, Exasperate. These words express different stages of excited or angry feeling. Irritate denotes an excitement of quick and slightly angry feeling which is only momentary; as, irritated by a hasty remark. To provoke implies the awakening of some open expression of decided anger; as, a provoking insult. Exasperate denotes a provoking of anger at something unendurable. Whatever comes across our feelings irritates; whatever excites anger provokes; whatever raises anger to a high point exasperates. "Susceptible and nervous people are most easily irritated; proud people are quickly provoked; hot and fiery people are soonest exasperated." Crabb.

IRRITATE Ir"ri*tate, a.

Defn: Excited; heightened. [Obs.]

IRRITATION Ir`ri*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. irritatio: cf. F. irritation.]

1. The act of irritating, or exciting, or the state of being irritated; excitement; stimulation, usually of an undue and uncomfortable kind; especially, excitement of anger or passion; provocation; annoyance; anger. The whole body of the arts and sciences composes one vast machinery for the irritation and development of the human intellect. De Quincey.

2. (Physiol.)

Defn: The act of exciting, or the condition of being excited to action, by stimulation; -- as, the condition of an organ of sense, when its nerve is affected by some external body; esp., the act of exciting muscle fibers to contraction, by artificial stimulation; as, the irritation of a motor nerve by electricity; also, the condition of a muscle and nerve, under such stimulation.

3. (Med.)

Defn: A condition of morbid excitability or oversensitiveness of an organ or part of the body; a state in which the application of ordinary stimuli produces pain or excessive or vitiated action.

IRRITATIVE Ir"ri*ta*tive, a.

1. Serving to excite or irritate; irritating; as, an irritative agent.

2. Accompanied with, or produced by, increased action or irritation; as, an irritative fever. E. Darwin.

IRRITATORY Ir"ri*ta*to*ry, a.

Defn: Exciting; producing irritation; irritating. [R.] Hales.

IRRORATE Ir"ro*rate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Irrorated; p. pr. & vb. n. Irrorating.] Etym: [L. irroratus, p. p. of irrorare to bedew; pref. ir- in + ros, roris, dew.]

Defn: To sprinkle or moisten with dew; to bedew. [Obs.]

IRRORATE Ir"ro*rate, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Covered with minute grains, appearing like fine sand.

IRRORATION Ir`ro*ra"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. irroration.]

Defn: The act of bedewing; the state of being moistened with de [Obs.] Chambers.

IRROTATIONAL Ir`ro*ta"tion*al, a. (Physics)

Defn: Not rotatory; passing from one point to another by a movement other than rotation; -- said of the movement of parts of a liquid or yielding mass. Sir W. Thomson.

IRRUBRICAL Ir*ru"bric*al, a.

Defn: Contrary to the rubric; not rubrical.

IRRUGATE Ir"ru*gate, v. t. Etym: [L. irrugatus, p. p. of irrugare to wrinkle.]

Defn: To wrinkle. [Obs.]

IRRUPTED Ir*rupt"ed, a. Etym: [L. irruptus, p. p. of irrumpere to break in; pref. ir- in + rumpere to break or burst. See Rupture.]

Defn: Broken with violence.

IRRUPTION Ir*rup"tion, n. Etym: [L. irruptio: cf. F. irruption. See Irrupted.]

1. A bursting in; a sudden, violent rushing into a place; as, irruptions of the sea. Lest evil tidings, with too rude irruption Hitting thy aged ear, should pierce too deep. Milton.

2. A sudden and violent inroad, or entrance of invaders; as, the irruptions of the Goths into Italy. Addison.

Syn. -- Invasion; incursion; inroad. See Invasion.

IRRUPTIVE Ir*rup"tive, a.

Defn: Rushing in or upon.

IRVINGITE Ir"ving*ite, n. (Eccl.)

Defn: The common designation of one a sect founded by the Rev. Edward Irving (about 1830), who call themselves the Catholic Apostolic Church. They are highly ritualistic in worship, have an elaborate hierarchy of apostles, prophets, etc., and look for the speedy coming of Christ.

IS- Is-

Defn: . See Iso-.

IS Is, v. i. Etym: [AS. is; akin to G. & Goth. ist, L. est, Gr. asti. . Cf. Am, Entity, Essence, Absent.]

Defn: The third person singular of the substantive verb be, in the indicative mood, present tense; as, he is; he is a man. See Be.

Note: In some varieties of the Northern dialect of Old English, is was used for all persons of the singular. For thy is I come, and eke Alain. Chaucer. Aye is thou merry. Chaucer.

Note: The idiom of using the present for future events sure to happen is a relic of Old English in which the present and future had the same form; as, this year Christmas is on Friday. To-morrow is the new moon. 1 Sam. xx. 5.

ISABEL; ISABEL COLOR Is"a*bel, n., Is"a*bel col"or.Etym: [F. isabelle.]

Defn: See Isabella.

ISABELLA; ISABELLA COLOR Is`a*bel"la, n., Is`a*bel"la col"or. Etym: [Said to be named from the Spanish princess Isabella, daughter of king Philip II., in allusion to the color assumed by her shift, which she wore without change from 1601 to 1604, in consequence of a vow made by her.]

Defn: A brownish yellow color.

ISABELLA GRAPE Is`a*bel"la grape`. (Bot.)

Defn: A favorite sweet American grape of a purple color. See Fox grape, under Fox.

ISABELLA MOTH Is`a*bel"la moth`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A common American moth (Pyrrharctia isabella), of an isabella color. The larva, called woolly bear and hedgehog caterpillar, is densely covered with hairs, which are black at each end of the body, and red in the middle part.

ISABELLINE Is`a*bel"line, a.

Defn: Of an isabel or isabella color.

ISAGELOUS; ISAGEL A. [Is- + Gr. Agelos Information.]

Defn: Containing the same information, as isagelous sentences. The coded message and the original, though appearing entirely unlike, are completely isagelous. Bacon The complementary strands have isagelous sequences. J. D. Watson. -- Isagel I*sag"e*lous (i*sâg"ê*lûs), a. Etym: [Is- + Gr. a`gelos information.]

Defn: Containing the same information, as isagelous sentences. "The coded message and the original, though appearing entirely unlike, are completely isagelous." Bacon "The complementary strands have isagelous sequences." J. D. Watson. -- Is"a*gel n.

Defn: One of two or more objects containing the same information.

ISAGOGE I"sa*goge, n. Etym: [L., fr. Fr.

Defn: An introduction. [Obs.] Harris.

ISAGOGIC; ISAGOGICAL I"sa*gog"ic, I"sa*gog"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. isagogicus, Gr.

Defn: Introductory; especially, introductory to the study of theology.

ISAGOGICS I"sa*gog"ics, n. (Theol.)

Defn: That part of theological science directly preliminary to actual exegesis, or interpretation of the Scriptures.

ISAGON I"sa*gon, n. Etym: [Gr. isagone, a.] (Math.)

Defn: A figure or polygon whose angles are equal.

ISAPOSTOLIC Is*ap`os*tol"ic, a. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: Having equal, or almost equal, authority with the apostles of their teachings.

ISATIC; ISATINIC I*sat"ic, I`sa*tin"ic, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or derived from, isatin; as, isatic acid, which is also called trioxindol.

ISATIDE I"sa*tide, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A white crystalline substance obtained by the partial reduction of isatin. [Written also isatyde.]

ISATIN I"sa*tin, n. Etym: [See Isatis.] (Chem.)

Defn: An orange-red crystalline substance, C8H5NO2, obtained by the oxidation of indigo blue. It is also produced from certain derivatives of benzoic acid, and is one important source of artificial indigo. [Written also, less properly, isatine.]

ISATIS I"sa*tis, n. Etym: [L., a kind of plant, Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of herbs, some species of which, especially the Isatis tinctoria, yield a blue dye similar to indigo; woad.

ISATOGEN I*sat"o*gen, n. Etym: [Isatin + -gen.] (Chem.)

Defn: A complex nitrogenous radical, C8H4NO2, regarded as the essential residue of a series of compounds, related to isatin, which easily pass by reduction to indigo blue. -- I*sat`o*gen"ic, a.

ISATROPIC I`sa*trop"ic, a. Etym: [Is- + atropine.] (Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, an acid obtained from atropine, and isomeric with cinnamic acid.

ISCHIAC Is"chi*ac, a. (Anat.)

Defn: See Ischial.

ISCHIADIC Is`chi*ad"ic, a. Etym: [L. ischiadicus, Gr. Sciatic.] (Anat.)

Defn: Ischial. [R.] Ischiadic passion or disease (Med.), a rheumatic or neuralgic affection of some part about the hip joint; -- called also sciatica.

ISCHIAL Is"chi*al, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the ischium or hip; ischiac; ischiadic; ischiatic. Ischial callosity (Zoöl.), one of the patches of thickened hairless, and often bright-colored skin, on the buttocks of many apes, as the drill.

ISCHIATIC Is`chi*at"ic, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Same as Ishial.

ISCHIOCAPSULAR Is`chi*o*cap"su*lar a. Etym: [Ischium + capsular.] (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the ischium and the capsule of the hip joint; as, the ischiocapsular ligament.

ISCHIOCERITE Is`chi*o*ce"rite, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)