Chapter 781

We shall write to you, As time and our concernings shall importune . Shak.

Importunely <Xpage=737>

Im`por*tune"ly , adv. In an importune manner. [Obs.]

Importuner <Xpage=737>

Im`por*tun"er (?) , n. One who importunes.

Importunity <Xpage=737>

Im`por*tu"ni*ty (?) , n. ; pl. Importunities (#) . [L. importunitas unsuitableness, rudeness: cf. F. importunit\'82 .] The quality of being importunate; pressing or pertinacious solicitation; urgent request; incessant or frequent application; troublesome pertinacity.

O'ercome with importunity and tears. Milton.

Importuous <Xpage=737>

Im*por"tu*ous (?) , a. [L. importuosus ; pref. im- not + portuosus abounding in harbors, fr. portus harbor.] Without a port or harbor. [R.]

Imposable <Xpage=737>

Im*pos"a*ble (?) , a. [Cf. F. imposable .] Capable of being imposed or laid on.

Hammond.

Imposableness <Xpage=737>

Im*pos"a*ble*ness , n. Quality of being imposable.

Impose <Xpage=737>

Im*pose" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Imposed (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Imposing .] [F. imposer ; pref. im- in + poser to place. See Pose , v. t. ] 1. To lay on; to set or place; to put; to deposit.

Cakes of salt and barley [she] did impose Within a wicker basket. Chapman.

2. To lay as a charge, burden, tax, duty, obligation, command, penalty, etc.; to enjoin; to levy; to inflict; as, to impose a toll or tribute .

What fates impose , that men must needs abide. Shak.

Death is the penalty imposed . Milton.

Thou on the deep imposest nobler laws. Waller.

3. (Eccl.) To lay on, as the hands, in the religious rites of confirmation and ordination.

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

Impose <Xpage=737>

Im*pose" , v. i. To practice trick or deception.

To impose on &or; upon , to pass or put a trick on; to delude. "He imposes on himself, and mistakes words for things."

Locke.

Impose <Xpage=737>

Im*pose" , n. A command; injunction. [Obs.]

Shak.

Imposement <Xpage=737>

Im*pose"ment (?) , n. Imposition. [Obs.]

Imposer <Xpage=737>

Im*pos"er (?) , n. One who imposes.

The imposers of these oaths might repent. Walton.

Imposing <Xpage=737>

Im*pos"ing , a. 1. Laying as a duty; enjoining.

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

Bp. Hobart.

3. Deceiving; deluding; misleading.

Imposing <Xpage=737>

Im*pos"ing , n. (Print.) The act of imposing the columns of a page, or the pages of a sheet. See Impose , v. t. , 4.

Imposing stone (Print.) , the stone on which the pages or columns of types are imposed or made into forms; -- called also imposing table .

Imposingly <Xpage=737>

Im*pos"ing*ly , adv. In an imposing manner.

Imposingness <Xpage=737>

Im*pos"ing*ness , n. The quality of being imposing.

Imposition <Xpage=737>

Im`po*si"tion (?) , n. [F., fr. L. impositio the application of a name to a thing. See Impone .] 1. The act of imposing, laying on, affixing, enjoining, inflicting, obtruding, and the like. "From imposition of strict laws." Milton .

Made more solemn by the imposition of hands. Hammond.

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

3. (Eng. Univ.) An extra exercise enjoined on students as a punishment.

T. Warton.

4. An excessive, arbitrary, or unlawful exaction; hence, a trick or deception put on laid on others; cheating; fraud; delusion; imposture.

Reputation is an idle and most false imposition . Shak.

5. (Eccl.) The act of laying on the hands as a religious ceremoy, in ordination, confirmation, etc.

6. (Print.) The act or process of imosing pages or columns of type. See Impose , v. t. , 4.

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

Impossibility <Xpage=737>

Im*pos`si*bil"i*ty (?) , n. ; pl. Impossibilities (#) . [L. impossibilitas : cf. F. impossibilit\'82 .] 1. The quality of being impossible; impracticability.

They confound difficulty with impossibility . South.

2. An impossible thing; that which can not be thought, done, or endured.

Impossibilities ! O, no, there's none. Cowley.

3. Inability; helplessness. [R.]

Latimer.

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

Impossible <Xpage=737>

Im*pos"si*ble (?) , a. [F., fr. L. impossibilis ; pref. im- not + possibilis possible. See Possible .] Not possible; incapable of being done, of existing, etc.; unattainable in the nature of things, or by means at command; insuperably difficult under the circumstances; absurd or impracticable; not feasible.

With men this is impossible ; but with God all things are possible. Matt. xix. 26.

Without faith it is impossible to please him. Heb. xi. 6.

Impossible quantity (Math.) , an imagnary quantity. See Imaginary .

Syn. -- See Impracticable .

Impossible <Xpage=737>

Im*pos"si*ble , n. An impossibility. [Obs.]

"Madam," quoth he, "this were an impossible !" Chaucer.

Impossibly <Xpage=737>

Im*pos"si*bly , adv. Not possibly.

Sir. T. North.

Impost <Xpage=737>

Im"post (?) , n. [OF. impost , F. impot , LL. impostus , fr. L. impostus , p. p. of imponere to impose. See Impone .] 1. That which is imposed or levied; a tax, tribute, or duty; especially, a duty or tax laid by goverment on goods imported into a country.

Even the ship money . . . Johnson could not pronounce to have been an unconstitutional impost . Macaulay.

2. (Arch.) The top member of a pillar, pier, wall, etc., upon which the weight of an arch rests.

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

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

Imposthumate <Xpage=737>

Im*post"hu*mate (?) , v. t. [See Imposthume .] To apostemate; to form an imposthume or abscess.

Arbuthnot.

Imposthumate <Xpage=737>

Im*post"hu*mate , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Imposthumated (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Imposthumating (?) .] To affect with an imposthume or abscess.

Imposthumate <Xpage=737>

Im*post"hu*mate (?) , a. Imposthumated.

Imposthumation <Xpage=737>

Im*post`hu*ma"tion (?) , n. 1. The act of forming an abscess; state of being inflamed; suppuration.

2. An abscess; an imposthume.

Coxe.

Imposthume <Xpage=737>

Im*post"hume (?) , n. [A corruption of aposteme . See Aposteme .] A collection of pus or purulent matter in any part of an animal body; an abscess.

Imposthume <Xpage=737>

Im*post"hume , v. t. & i. Same as Imposthumate .

Impostor <Xpage=737>

Im*pos"tor (?) , n. [L. impostor a deceiver, fr. imponere to impose upon, deceive. See Impone .] One who imposes upon others; a person who assumes a character or title not his own, for the purpose of deception; a pretender. "The fraudulent impostor foul."

Milton.

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

Impostorship <Xpage=737>

Im*pos"tor*ship , n. The condition, character, or practice of an impostor.

Milton.

Impostress, Impostrix <Xpage=737>

Im*pos"tress (?) , Im*pos"trix (?) , n. [LL. impostrix . See Impostor .] A woman who imposes upon or deceives others. [R.]

Fuller.

Impostrous <Xpage=737>

Im*pos"trous (?) , n. Characterized by imposture; deceitful. " Impostrous pretense of knowledge."

Grote.

Imposturage <Xpage=737>

Im*pos"tur*age (?) , n. Imposture; cheating. [R.]

Jer. Taylor.

Imposture <Xpage=737>

Im*pos"ture (?) , n. [L. impostura : cf. F. imposture . See Impone .] The act or conduct of an impostor; deception practiced under a false or assumed character; fraud or imposition; cheating.

From new legends And fill the world with follies and impostures . Johnson.

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

Impostured <Xpage=737>

Im*pos"tured (?) , a. Done by imposture. [Obs.]

Imposturous <Xpage=737>

Im*pos"tur*ous (?) , a. Impostrous; deceitful.

Strictness fales and impostrous . Beau. & Fl.

Impostury <Xpage=737>

Im*pos"tur*y (?) , n. Imposture. [Obs.]

Fuller.

Impotence, Impotency <Xpage=737>

Im"po*tence (?) , Im"po*ten*cy (?) , n. [L. impotenia inability, poverty, want of moderation. See Impotent .] 1. The quality or condition of being impotent; want of strength or power, animal, intellectual, or moral; weakness; feebleness; inability; imbecility.

Some were poor by impotency of nature; as young fatherless children, old decrepit persons, idiots, and cripples. Hayward.

O, impotence of mind in body strong! Milton.

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

Milton.

3. (Law & Med.) Want of procreative power; inability to copulate, or beget children; also, sometimes, sterility; barrenness.

Impotent <Xpage=737>

Im"po*tent (?) , a. [F. impotent , L. impotens , -entis ; pref. im- not + potens potent, powerful. See Potent .] 1. Not potent; wanting power, strength. or vigor. whether physical, intellectual, or moral; deficient in capacity; destitute of force; weak; feeble; infirm.

There sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent inhis feet. Acts xiv. 8.

O most lame and impotent conclusion! Shak.

Not slow to hear, Nor impotent to save. Addison.

2. Wanting the power of self-restraint; incontrolled; ungovernable; violent.

Impotent of tongue, her silence broke. Dryden.

3. (Med.) Wanting the power of procreation; unable to copulate; also, sometimes, sterile; barren.

Impotent <Xpage=737>

Im"po*tent , n. One who is imoitent. [R.]

Shak.

Impotently <Xpage=737>

Im"po*tent*ly , adv. In an impotent manner.

Impound <Xpage=737>

Im*pound" (<?/) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Impounded ; p. pr. & vb. n. Impounding .] To shut up or place in an inclosure called a pound ; hence, to hold in the custody of a court; as, to impound stray cattle; to impound a document for safe keeping.

But taken and impounded as a stray, The king of Scots. Shak.

<page="738"> Page 738

Impoundage <Xpage=738>

Im*pound"age (?) , n. 1. The act of impounding, or the state of being impounded.

2. The fee or fine for impounding.

Impounder <Xpage=738>

Im*pound"er (?) , n. One who impounds.

Impoverish <Xpage=738>

Im*pov"er*ish (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Impoverished (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Impoverishing .] [OF. empovrir ; pref. em- (L. in ) + povre poor, F. pauvre ; cf. OF. apovrir , F. appauvrir , where the prefix is a- , L. ad . Cf. Empoverish , and see Poor , and -ish .] 1. To make poor; to reduce to poverty or indigence; as, misfortune and disease impoverish families .

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

Impoverisher <Xpage=738>

Im*pov"er*ish*er (?) , n. One who, or that which, impoverishes.

Impoverishment <Xpage=738>

Im*pov"er*ish*ment (?) , n. [Cf. OF. empoverissement , and F. appauvrissement .] The act of impoverishing, or the state of being impoverished; reduction to poverty.

Sir W. Scott.

Impower <Xpage=738>

Im*pow"er (?) , v. t. See Empower .

Imp-pole <Xpage=738>

Imp"-pole` (<?/) , n. (Building) A pole for supporting a scaffold.

Impracticability <Xpage=738>

Im*prac`ti*ca*bil"i*ty (?) , n. ; pl. Impracticabilities (<?/) . 1. The state or quality of being impracticable; infeasibility.

Goldsmith.

2. An impracticable thing.

3. Intractableness; stubbornness.

Impracticable <Xpage=738>

Im*prac"ti*ca*ble (?) , a. 1. Not practicable; incapable of being performed, or accomplished by the means employed, or at command; impossible; as, an impracticable undertaking .

2. Not to be overcome, presuaded, or controlled by any reasonable method; unmanageable; intractable; not capable of being easily dealt with; -- used in a general sense, as applied to a person or thing that is difficult to control or get along with.

This though, impracticable heart Is governed by a dainty-fingered girl. Rowe.

Patriotic butloyal men went away disguested afresh with the impracticable arrogance of a sovereign. Palfrey.

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

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

Impracticableness <Xpage=738>

Im*prac"ti*ca*ble*ness , n. The state or quality of being impracticable; impracticability.

Impracticably <Xpage=738>

Im*prac"ti*ca*bly , adv. In an impracticable manner.

Morality not impracticably rigid. Johnson.

Impractical <Xpage=738>

Im*prac"ti*cal (?) , a. Not practical.

Imprecate <Xpage=738>

Im"pre*cate (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Imprecated (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Imprecating (?) .] [L. imprecatus , p. p. of imprecari to imprecate; pref. im- in, on + precari to pray. See Pray .] 1. To call down by prayer, as something hurtful or calamitous.

Imprecate the vengeance of Heaven on the guilty empire. Mickle.

2. To invoke evil upon; to curse; to swear at.

In vain we blast the ministers of Fate, And the forlorn physicians imprecate . Rochester.

Imprecation <Xpage=738>

Im`pre*ca"tion (?) , n. [L. imprecatio : cf. F. impr\'82cation .] The act of imprecating, or unvoking evil upon any one; a player that a curse or calamnity may fall on any one; a curse.

Men cowered like slaves before such horrid imprecations . Motley.

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

Imprecatory <Xpage=738>

Im"pre*ca*to*ry (?) , a. Of the nature of, or containing, imprecation; invokingevil; as, the imprecatory psalms .

Imprecision <Xpage=738>

Im`pre*ci"sion (?) , n. Want of precision. [R.]

Impregn <Xpage=738>

Im*pregn" (?) , v. t. [Cf. F. impregner . See Impregnate .] To impregnate; to make fruitful. [Obs.]

His perniciousss words, impregned With reason. Milton.

Semele doth Bacchus bear Impregned of Jove. Dr. H. More.

Impregnability <Xpage=738>

Im*preg`na*bil"i*ty (?) , n. The quality or state of being impregnable; invincibility.

Impregnable <Xpage=738>

Im*preg"na*ble (?) , a. [F. imprenable ; pref. im- not + prenable pregnable, fr. prendre to take, L. prehendere . See Comprehend , Get to obtain.] Not to be stormed, or taken by assault; incapable of being subdued; able to resist attack; unconquerable; as, an impregnable fortress; impregnable virtue.

The man's affection remains wholly unconcerned and impregnable . South.

-- Im*preg"na*ble*ness , n. -- Im*preg"na*bly , adv.

Impregnable <Xpage=738>

Im*preg"na*ble (?) , a. [See Impregnate.] (Biol.) Capable of being impregnated, as the egg of an animal, or the ovule of a plant.

Impregnant <Xpage=738>

Im*preg"nant (?) , n. [See Impregnate .] That which impregnates. [R.]

Glanvill.

Impregnant <Xpage=738>

Im*preg"nant , a. [Pref. im- not + pregnant .] Not pregnant; unfertilized or infertile. [R.]

Impregnate <Xpage=738>

Im*preg"nate (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Impregnated (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Impregnating (?) .] [LL. impraegnatus , p. p. of impraegnare to impregnate, fr. L. pref. im- in + praegnans pregnant. See Pregnant .] 1. To make pregnant; to cause to conceive; to render prolific; to get with child or young.

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

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

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

Impregnate <Xpage=738>

Im*preg"nate (?) , v. i. To become pregnant.

Addison.

Impregnate <Xpage=738>

Im*preg"nate (?) , a. [LL. impraegnatus , p. p.] Impregnated; made prolific.