Chapter 31

In*scrib"a*ble*ness, n. Quality of being inscribable.

In*scribe" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inscribed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Inscribing.] [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, characters, or words.

O let thy once lov'd friend inscribe thy stone.

Pope.

3. To assign or address to; to commend to by a short 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.) To draw within so as to meet yet not cut the boundaries.

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.

In*scrib"er (?), n. One who inscribes. Pownall.

In*scrip"ti*ble (?), a. Capable of being inscribed; inscribable.

In*scrip"tion (?), n. [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.) 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.

In*scrip"tive (?), a. Bearing inscription; of the character or nature of an inscription.

In*scroll" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inscrolled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Inscrolling.] To write on a scroll; to record. [Written also inscrol.] Shak.

In*scru`ta*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being inscrutable; inscrutableness.

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

In*scru"ta*ble*ness, n. The quality or state of being inscrutable; inscrutability.

In*scru"ta*bly, adv. In an inscrutable manner.

In*sculp" (?), v. t. [L. insculpere: cf. F. insculper. See 1st In-, and Sculptor.] To engrave; to carve; to sculpture. [Obs. & R.] Shak.

Which he insculped in two likely stones.

Drayton.

In*sculp"tion (?), n. Inscription. [Obs.]

In*sculp"ture (?), n. An engraving, carving, or inscription. [Obs.]

On his gravestone this insculpture.

Shak.

In*sculp"tured (?), p. a. Engraved. Glover.

In*seam" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inseamed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Inseaming.] To impress or mark with a seam or cicatrix. Pope.

In*search" (?), v. t. To make search after; to investigate or examine; to ensearch. [Obs.]

In*sec"a*ble (n*sk"*b'l), a. [L. insecabilis; pref. in- not + secabilis that may be cut: cf. F. insecable.] Incapable of being divided by cutting; indivisible.

In"sect (n"skt), n. [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.) One of the Insecta; esp., one of the Hexapoda. See Insecta.

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

3. (Zoöl.) 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.

In"sect (?), a. 1. Of or pertaining to an insect or insects.

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

||In*sec"ta (?), n. pl. [NL. See Insect.] 1. (Zoöl.) 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.) In a more restricted sense, the Hexapoda alone. See Hexapoda.

3. (Zoöl.) In the most general sense, the Hexapoda, Myriapoda, and Arachnoidea, combined.

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 earwigs; Thysanura, as the springtails, podura, and lepisma. See these words in the Vocabulary.

In"sec*ta*ry (?), n. A place for keeping living insects. -- In`sec*ta"ri*um (#), n. [L.]

In`sec*ta"tion (?), n. [L. insectatio. See Insectator.] The act of pursuing; pursuit; harassment; persecution. [Obs.] Sir T. More.

In`sec*ta"tor (?), n. [L., fr. insectari to pursue, freq. fr. insequi. See Ensue.] A pursuer; a persecutor; a censorious critic. [Obs.] Bailey.

In"sect*ed (?), a. Pertaining to, having the nature of, or resembling, an insect. Howell.

In*sec"ti*cide (?), n. [Insect + L. caedere to kill.] An agent or preparation for destroying insects; an insect powder. -- In*sec"ti*ci`dal (#), a.

In*sec"tile (?), a. Pertaining to, or having the nature of, insects. Bacon.

In*sec"tion (?), n. [See Insect.] A cutting in; incisure; incision.

||In`sec*tiv"o*ra (?), n. pl. [NL., from L. insectum an insect + vorare ||to devour.] (Zoöl.) 1. An order of mammals which feed principally ||upon insects. || 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.

In*sec"ti*vore (?), n.; pl. Insectivores (-vrz). [F.] (Zoöl.) One of the Insectivora.

In`sec*tiv"o*rous (?), a. [See Insectivora.] Feeding or subsisting on insects; carnivorous. The term is applied: (a) to plants which have some special adaptation for catching and digesting insects, as the sundew, Venus's flytrap, Sarracenia, etc. (b) to the Insectivora, and to many bats, birds, and reptiles.

In`sec*tol"o*ger (?), n. An entomologist. [Obs.]

In`sec*tol"o*gy (?), n. [Insect + -logy: cf. F. insectologie.] Entomology. [Obs.]

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.

In`se*cure"ly, adv. In an insecure manner.

In`se*cure"ness, n. Insecurity.

In`se*cu"ri*ty (?), n.; pl. Insecurities (#). [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.

In`se*cu"tion (?), n. [L. insecutio, fr. insequi p. p. insecutus. See Ensue.] A following after; close pursuit. [Obs.] Chapman.

<! p. 769 !>

In*sem"i*nate (?), v. t. [L. inseminatus, p. p. of inseminare to sow. See Seminate.] To sow; to impregnate. [Obs.]

In*sem`i*na"tion (?), n. A sowing. [Obs.]

In*sen"sate (?), a. [L. insensatus. See In- not, and Sensate.] 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.

In*sense" (?), v. t. [Pref. in- in + sense.] To make to understand; to instruct. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

In*sen`si*bil"i*ty (?), n. [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.

In*sen"si*ble (?), a. [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.

In*sen"si*ble*ness, n. Insensibility. Bp. Hall.

In*sen"si*bly, adv. In a manner not to be felt or perceived; imperceptibly; gradually.

The hills rise insensibly.

Addison.

In*sen"si*tive (?), a. Not sensitive; wanting sensation, or wanting acute sensibility. Tillotson. Ruskin.

In*sen"su*ous (?), a. [Pref. in- not + sensuous.] 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.

In*sen"ti*ent (?), a. 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.

In*sep`a*ra*bil"i*ty (?), n. [L. inseparabilitas: cf. F. inséparabilité.] The quality or state of being inseparable; inseparableness. Locke.

In*sep"a*ra*ble (?), a. [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.) Invariably attached to some word, stem, or root; as, the inseparable particle un- .

In*sep"a*ra*ble*ness, n. The quality or state of being inseparable; inseparability. Bp. Burnet.

In*sep"a*ra*bly, adv. In an inseparable manner or condition; so as not to be separable. Bacon.

And cleaves through life inseparably close.

Cowper.

In*sep"a*rate (?), a. [L. inseparatus. See In- not, and Separate.] Not separate; together; united. Shak.

In*sep"a*rate*ly, adv. Inseparably. [Obs.] Cranmer.

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

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

In*sert"ing, n. 1. A setting in.

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

In*ser"tion (?), n. [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.) 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.

In*serve" (?), v. i. [L. inservire; in- in + servire to serve.] To be of use to an end; to serve. [Obs.]

In*serv"i*ent (?), a. [L. inserviens, p. pr. of inservire.] Conducive; instrumental. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

In*ses"sion (?), n. [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.

||In*ses"sor (?), n.; pl. Insessores (#). [See Insessores.] (Zoöl.) One ||of the Insessores. The group includes most of the common singing ||birds. || ||In`ses*so"res (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. L. insessor, lit., one who sits ||down, fr. incidere. See Insession.] (Zoöl.) An order of birds, ||formerly established to include the perching birds, but now generally ||regarded as an artificial group. || In`ses*so"ri*al (?), a. (Zoöl.) 1. Pertaining to, or having the character of, perching birds.

2. Belonging or pertaining to the Insessores.

In*set" (?), v. t. To infix. [Obs.] Chaucer.

In"set (?), n. 1. That which is inserted or set in; an insertion.

2. (Bookbinding) 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.

In*sev"er*a*ble (?), a. Incapable of being severed; indivisible; inseparable. De Quincey.

In*shad"ed (?), a. Marked with different shades. W. Browne.

In"shave` (?), n. (Mech.) A plane for shaving or dressing the concave or inside faces of barrel staves.

In*sheathe" (?), v. t. To insert as in a sheath; to sheathe. Hughes.

In*shell" (?), v. t. To hide in a shell. [Obs.] Shak.

In*ship" (?), v. t. To embark. [Obs.] Shak.

In"shore` (?), a. Being near or moving towards the shore; as, inshore fisheries; inshore currents. -- adv. Towards the shore; as, the boat was headed inshore.

In*shrine" (?), v. t. See Enshrine.

In`sic*ca"tion (?), n. The act or process of drying in.

In"side` (?), prep. or adv. Within the sides of; in the interior; contained within; as, inside a house, book, bottle, etc.

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.

In"side`, n. 1. The part within; interior or internal portion; content.

Looked he o' the inside of the paper?

Shak.

2. pl. 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 outsides, 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.

In*sid"i*ate (?), v. t. [L. insidiatus, p. p. of insidiare to lie in ambush, fr. insidiae. See Insidious.] To lie in ambush for. [Obs.] Heywood.

In*sid"i*a`tor (?), n. [L.] One who lies in ambush. [Obs.] Barrow.

In*sid"i*ous (?), a. [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.

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.

In*sig"ni*a (?), n. pl. [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.

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.

In`sig*nif"i*can*cy (?), n. Insignificance.

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.

In`sig*nif"i*cant*ly, adv. without significance, importance, or effect; to no purpose. "Anger insignificantly fierce." Cowper.

In`sig*nif"i*ca*tive (?), a. [L. insignificativus. See In- not, and Significative.] Not expressing meaning; not significant.

In*sign"ment (?), n. [See Insignia.] A token, mark, or explanation. [Obs.] Sir T. Elyot.

In*sim"u*late (?), v. t. [L. insimulatus, p. p. of insimulare to accuse.] To accuse. [Obs.] Donne.

In`sin*cere" (?), a. [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.

In`sin*cere"ly, adv. Without sincerity.

In`sin*cer"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. insincérité.] 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.

In*sin"ew (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Insinewed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Insinewing.] To strengthen, as with sinews; to invigorate. [Obs.]

All members of our cause, . . . That are insinewed to this action.

Shak.

In*sin"u*ant (?), a. [L. insinuans, p. pr.: cf. F. insinuant.] Insinuating; insinuative. [Obs.]

In*sin"u*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Insinuated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Insinuating.] [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.

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.