The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary: Section I, J, K, and L

Chapter 34

Chapter 343,875 wordsPublic domain

Syn. -- Inadequate; scanty; incommensurate; unequal; unfit; incompetent; incapable; inefficient.

In`suf*fi"cient*ly, adv. In an insufficient manner or degree; unadequately.

In`suf*fla"tion (?), n. [L. insuffatio: cf. F. insuffation. See In- in, and Sufflation.] The act of breathing on or into anything; especially: (a) (R. C. Ch.) The breathing upon a person in the sacrament of baptism to symbolize the inspiration of a new spiritual life. (b) (Med.) The act of blowing (a gas, powder, or vapor) into any cavity of the body.

In*suit"a*ble (?), a. Unsuitable. [Obs.] -- In*suit`a*bil"i*ty (#), n. [Obs.]

In"su*lar (?), a. [L. insularis, fr. insula island: cf. F. insulaire. See Isle.]

1. Of or pertaining to an island; of the nature, or possessing the characteristics, of an island; as, an insular climate, fauna, etc.

2. Of or pertaining to the people of an island; narrow; circumscribed; illiberal; contracted; as, insular habits, opinions, or prejudices.

The penury of insular conversation.

Johnson.

In"su*lar, n. An islander. [R.] Berkeley.

In`su*lar"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. insularité.]

1. The state or quality of being an island or consisting of islands; insulation.

The insularity of Britain was first shown by Agricola, who sent his fleet round it.

Pinkerton.

2. Narrowness or illiberality of opinion; prejudice; exclusiveness; as, the insularity of the Chinese or of the aristocracy.

In"su*lar*ly (?), adv. In an insular manner.

In"su*la*ry (?), a. Insular. [Obs.] Howell.

In"su*late (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Insulated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Insulating (?).] [L. insulatus insulated, fr. insula island. See Isle, and cf. Isolate.]

1. To make an island of. [Obs.] Pennant.

2. To place in a detached situation, or in a state having no communication with surrounding objects; to isolate; to separate.

3. (Elec. & Thermotics) To prevent the transfer of electricity or heat to or from (bodies) by the interposition of nonconductors.

Insulating stool (Elec.), a stool with legs of glass or some other nonconductor of electricity, used for insulating a person or any object placed upon it.

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In"su*la`ted (n"s*l"td), p. a. 1. Standing by itself; not being contiguous to other bodies; separated; unconnected; isolated; as, an insulated house or column.

The special and insulated situation of the Jews.

De Quincey.

2. (Elect. & Thermotics) Separated from other bodies by means of nonconductors of heat or electricity.

3. (Astron.) Situated at so great a distance as to be beyond the effect of gravitation; -- said of stars supposed to be so far apart that the affect of their mutual attraction is insensible. C. A. Young.

Insulated wire, wire wound with silk, or covered with other nonconducting material, for electrical use.

In`su*la"tion (?), n. 1. The act of insulating, or the state of being insulated; detachment from other objects; isolation.

2. (Elec. & Thermotics) The act of separating a body from others by nonconductors, so as to prevent the transfer of electricity or of heat; also, the state of a body so separated.

In"su*la`tor (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, insulates.

2. (Elec. & Thermotics) The substance or body that insulates; a nonconductor.

In"su*lite (?), n. (Elec.) An insulating material, usually some variety of compressed cellulose, made of sawdust, paper pulp, cotton waste, etc.

In"su*lous (?), a. [L. insulosus, fr. insula island.] Abounding in islands. [R.]

In*sulse" (?), a. [L. insulsus; pref. in- not + salsus salted, fr. salire, salsum, to salt.] Insipid; dull; stupid. [Obs.] Milton.

In*sul"si*ty (?), n. [L. insulsitas.] Insipidity; stupidity; dullness. [Obs.]

The insulsity of mortal tongues.

Milton.

In"sult (?), n. [L. insultus, fr. insilire to leap upon: cf. F. insulte. See Insult, v. t.]

1. The act of leaping on; onset; attack. [Obs.] Dryden.

2. Gross abuse offered to another, either by word or act; an act or speech of insolence or contempt; an affront; an indignity.

The ruthless sneer that insult adds to grief.

Savage.

Syn. -- Affront; indignity; abuse; outrage; contumely. See Affront.

In*sult" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Insulted; p. pr. & vb. n. Insulting.] [F. insulter, L. insultare, freq. fr. insilire to leap into or upon; pref. in- in, on + salire to leap. See Salient.]

1. To leap or trample upon; to make a sudden onset upon. [Obs.] Shak.

2. To treat with abuse, insolence, indignity, or contempt, by word or action; to abuse; as, to call a man a coward or a liar, or to sneer at him, is to insult him.

In*sult", v. i. 1. To leap or jump.

Give me thy knife, I will insult on him.

Shak.

Like the frogs in the apologue, insulting upon their wooden king.

Jer. Taylor.

2. To behave with insolence; to exult. [Archaic]

The lion being dead, even hares insult.

Daniel.

An unwillingness to insult over their helpless fatuity.

Landor.

In*sult"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being insulted or affronted. [R.] Emerson.

In`sul*ta"tion (?), n. [L. insultatio, fr. insultare: cf. OF. insultation.]

1. The act of insulting; abusive or insolent treatment; insult. [Obs.] Feltham.

2. Exultation. [Obs.] Is. xiv. (heading).

In*sult"er (?), n. One who insults. Shak.

In*sult"ing, a. Containing, or characterized by, insult or abuse; tending to insult or affront; as, insulting language, treatment, etc. -- In*sult"ing*ly, adv.

Syn. -- Insolent; impertinent; saucy; rude; abusive; contemptuous. See Insolent.

In*sult"ment (?), n. Insolent treatment; insult. [Obs.] "My speech of insultment ended." Shak.

In*sume" (?), v. t. [L. insumere; pre. in- in + sumere to take.] To take in; to absorb. [Obs.]

In*su`per*a*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being insuperable; insuperableness.

In*su"per*a*ble (?), a. [L. insuperabilis: cf. OF. insuperable. See In- not, and Superable.] Incapable of being passed over or surmounted; insurmountable; as, insuperable difficulties.

And middle natures, how they long to join, Yet never pass the insuperable line?

Pope.

The difficulty is enhanced, or is . . . insuperable.

I. Taylor.

Syn. -- Impassable; insurmountable; unconquerable.

-- In*su"per*a*ble*ness, n. -- In*su"per*a*bly, adv.

In`sup*port"a*ble (?), a. [L. insupportabilis: cf. F. insupportable. See In- not, and Support.] Incapable of being supported or borne; unendurable; insufferable; intolerable; as, insupportable burdens; insupportable pain. -- In`sup*port"a*ble*ness, n. -- In`sup*port"a*bly, adv.

In`sup*pos"a*ble (?), a. Incapable of being supposed; not supposable; inconceivable.

In`sup*press"i*ble (?), a. That can not be suppressed or concealed; irrepressible. Young. -- In`sup*press"i*bly, adv.

In`sup*press"ive (?), a. Insuppressible. [Obs.] "The insuppressive mettle of our spirits." Shak.

In*sur"a*ble (?), a. [From Insure.] Capable of being insured against loss, damage, death, etc.; proper to be insured.

The French law annuls the latter policies so far as they exceed the insurable interest which remained in the insured at the time of the subscription thereof.

Walsh.

In*sur"ance (?), n. [From Insure.]

1. The act of insuring, or assuring, against loss or damage by a contingent event; a contract whereby, for a stipulated consideration, called premium, one party undertakes to indemnify or guarantee another against loss by certain specified risks. Cf. Assurance, n., 6.

The person who undertakes to pay in case of loss is termed the insurer; the danger against which he undertakes, the risk; the person protected, the insured; the sum which he pays for the protection, the premium; and the contract itself, when reduced to form, the policy. Johnson's Cyc.

2. The premium paid for insuring property or life.

3. The sum for which life or property is insured.

4. A guaranty, security, or pledge; assurance. [Obs.]

The most acceptable insurance of the divine protection.

Mickle.

Accident insurance, insurance against pecuniary loss by reason of accident to the person. -- Endowment insurance or assurance, a combination of life insurance and investment such that if the person upon whose life a risk is taken dies before a certain specified time the insurance becomes due at once, and if he survives, it becomes due at the time specified. -- Fire insurance. See under Fire. -- Insurance broker, a broker or agent who effects insurance. -- Insurance company, a company or corporation whose business it is to insure against loss, damage, or death. -- Insurance policy, a certificate of insurance; the document containing the contract made by an insurance company with a person whose property or life is insured. -- Life insurance. See under Life.

In*sur"an*cer (?), n. One who effects insurance; an insurer; an underwriter. [Obs.] Dryden.

hose bold insurancers of deathless fame.

Blair.

In*sur"ant (?), n. The person insured. Champness.

In"sure (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Insured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Insuring.] [OE. ensuren, prob. for assuren, by a change of prefix. See 1st In-, and Sure, and cf. Assure, Ensure.] [Written also ensure.]

1. To make sure or secure; as, to insure safety to any one.

2. Specifically, to secure against a loss by a contingent event, on certain stipulated conditions, or at a given rate or premium; to give or to take an insurance on or for; as, a merchant insures his ship or its cargo, or both, against the dangers of the sea; goods and buildings are insured against fire or water; persons are insured against sickness, accident, or death; and sometimes hazardous debts are insured.

In*sure", v. i. To underwrite; to make insurance; as, a company insures at three per cent.

In*sur"er (?), n. One who, or that which, insures; the person or company that contracts to indemnify losses for a premium; an underwriter.

{ In*sur"gence (?), In*sur"gen*cy (?), } n. A state of insurrection; an uprising; an insurrection.

A moral insurgence in the minds of grave men against the Court of Rome.

G. Eliot.

In*sur"gent (?), a. [L. insurgens, p. pr. of insurgere to rise up; pref. in- in + surgere to rise. See Surge.] Rising in opposition to civil or political authority, or against an established government; insubordinate; rebellious. "The insurgent provinces." Motley.

In*sur"gent, n. [Cf. F. insurgent.] A person who rises in revolt against civil authority or an established government; one who openly and actively resists the execution of laws; a rebel.

Syn. -- See Rebel.

In`sur*mount`a*bil"i*ty (?), n. The state or quality of being insurmountable.

In`sur*mount"a*ble (?), a. [Pref. in- not + surmountable: cf. F. insurmountable.] Incapable of being passed over, surmounted, or overcome; insuperable; as, insurmountable difficulty or obstacle. Locke.

Hope thinks nothing difficult; despair tells us that difficulty is insurmountable.

I. Watts.

Syn. -- Insuperable; impassable; invincible.

In`sur*mount"a*ble*ness, n. The state or quality of being insurmountable; insurmountability.

In`sur*mount"a*bly, adv. In a manner or to a degree not to be overcome.

In`sur*rec"tion (?), n. [L. insurrectio, fr. insurgere, insurrectum: cf. F. insurrection. See Insurgent.]

1. A rising against civil or political authority, or the established government; open and active opposition to the execution of law in a city or state.

It is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.

Ezra iv. 19.

2. A rising in mass to oppose an enemy. [Obs.]

Syn. -- Insurrection, Sedition, Revolt, Rebellion, Mutiny. Sedition is the raising of commotion in a state, as by conspiracy, without aiming at open violence against the laws. Insurrection is a rising of individuals to prevent the execution of law by force of arms. Revolt is a casting off the authority of a government, with a view to put it down by force, or to substitute one ruler for another. Rebellion is an extended insurrection and revolt. Mutiny is an insurrection on a small scale, as a mutiny of a regiment, or of a ship's crew.

I say again, In soothing them, we nourish 'gainst our senate The cockle of rebellion, insolence, sedition.

Shak.

Insurrections of base people are commonly more furious in their beginnings.

Bacon.

He was greatly strengthened, and the enemy as much enfeebled, by daily revolts.

Sir W. Raleigh.

Though of their names in heavenly records now Be no memorial, blotted out and razed By their rebellion from the books of life.

Milton.

In`sur*rec"tion*al (?), a. [Cf. F. insurrectionnel.] Pertaining to insurrection; consisting in insurrection.

In`sur*rec"tion*a*ry (?), a. Pertaining to, or characterized by, insurrection; rebellious; seditious.

Their murderous insurrectionary system.

Burke.

In`sur*rec"tion*ist, n. One who favors, or takes part in, insurrection; an insurgent.

In`sus*cep`ti*bil"i*ty (?), n. Want of susceptibility, or of capacity to feel or perceive.

In`sus*cep`ti*ble (?), a. [Pref. in- not + susceptible: cf. F. insusceptible.] Not susceptible; not capable of being moved, affected, or impressed; that can not feel, receive, or admit; as, a limb insusceptible of pain; a heart insusceptible of pity; a mind insusceptible to flattery. -- In`sus*cep`ti*bly adv.

In`sus*cep"tive (?), a. Not susceptive or susceptible. [R.] Rambler.

In*su`sur*ra"tion (?), n. [L. insusurratio, fr. insusurrare to whisper into.] The act of whispering into something. [Obs.] Johnson.

In*swathe" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inswathed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Inswating.] To wrap up; to infold; to swathe.

Inswathed sometimes in wandering mist.

Tennyson.

In*tact" (?), a. [L. intactus; pref. in- not + tactus, p. p. of tangere to touch: cf. F. intact. See In- not, and Tact, Tangent.] Untouched, especially by anything that harms, defiles, or the like; uninjured; undefiled; left complete or entire. Buckle.

When all external differences have passed away, one element remains intact, unchanged, -- the everlasting basis of our common nature, the human soul.

F. W. Robertson.

{ In*tac"ti*ble (?), In*tac"ta*ble (?) }, a. Not perceptible to the touch.

In*tagl"ia*ted (?), a. [It. intagliato, p. p. of intagliare. See Intaglio.] Engraved in intaglio; as, an intagliated stone. T. Warton.

In*tagl"io (?), n.; pl. E. Intaglius (#), It. Intagli (#). [It., fr. intagliare to engrave, carve; pref. in- in + tagliare to cut, carve. See Detail.] A cutting or engraving; a figure cut into something, as a gem, so as to make a design depressed below the surface of the material; hence, anything so carved or impressed, as a gem, matrix, etc.; -- opposed to cameo. Also used adjectively.

In*tail", v. t. See Entail, v. t.

In"take` (?), n. 1. The place where water or air is taken into a pipe or conduit; -- opposed to outlet.

2. the beginning of a contraction or narrowing in a tube or cylinder.

3. The quantity taken in; as, the intake of air.

In*tam"i*na`ted (?), a. [L. intaminatus. See Contaminate.] Uncontaminated. [Obs.] Wood.

In*tan`gi*bil"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Intangibilities (#). [Cf. F. intangibilité.] The quality or state of being intangible; intangibleness.

In*tan"gi*ble (?), a. [Pref. in- not + tangible: cf. F. intangible.] Not tangible; incapable of being touched; not perceptible to the touch; impalpable; imperceptible. Bp. Wilkins.

A corporation is an artificial, invisible, intangible being.

Marshall.

-- In*tan"gi*ble*ness, n. -- In*tan"gi*bly, adv.

In*tan"gle (?), v. t. See Entangle.

In*tast"a*ble (?), a. Incapable of being tasted; tasteless; unsavory. [R.] Grew.

In"te*ger (?), n. [L. integer untouched, whole, entire. See Entire.] A complete entity; a whole number, in contradistinction to a fraction or a mixed number.

Complex integer (Theory of Numbers), an expression of the form a + b&radic;-1, where a and b are real integers.

In`te*gra*bil"i*ty (?), n. (Math.) The quality of being integrable.

In"te*gra*ble (?), a. (Math.) Capable of being integrated.

In"te*gral (?), a. [Cf. F. intégral. See Integer.]

1. Lacking nothing of completeness; complete; perfect; uninjured; whole; entire.

A local motion keepeth bodies integral.

Bacon.

2. Essential to completeness; constituent, as a part; pertaining to, or serving to form, an integer; integrant.

Ceasing to do evil, and doing good, are the two great integral parts that complete this duty.

South.

3. (Math.) (a) Of, pertaining to, or being, a whole number or undivided quantity; not fractional. (b) Pertaining to, or proceeding by, integration; as, the integral calculus.

Integral calculus. See under Calculus.

In"te*gral, n. 1. A whole; an entire thing; a whole number; an individual.

2. (Math.) An expression which, being differentiated, will produce a given differential. See differential Differential, and Integration. Cf. Fluent.

Elliptic integral, one of an important class of integrals, occurring in the higher mathematics; -- so called because one of the integrals expresses the length of an arc of an ellipse.

In`te*gral"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. intégralité.] Entireness. [Obs.] Whitaker.

In"te*gral*ly (?), adv. In an integral manner; wholly; completely; also, by integration.

In"te*grant (?), a. [L. integrans, -antis, p. pr. of integrare to make whole, renew: cf. F. intégrant. See Integrate.] Making part of a whole; necessary to constitute an entire thing; integral. Boyle.

All these are integrant parts of the republic.

Burke.

Integrant parts, or particles, of bodies, those smaller particles into which a body may be reduced without loss of its original constitution, as by mechanical division.

In"te*grate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Integrated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Integrating (?).] [L. integratus, p. p. of integrare to make whole, renew: cf. F. intégrer. See Integer, Entire.]

1. To form into one whole; to make entire; to complete; to renew; to restore; to perfect. "That conquest rounded and integrated the glorious empire." De Quincey.

Two distinct substances, the soul and body, go to compound and integrate the man.

South.

2. To indicate the whole of; to give the sum or total of; as, an integrating anemometer, one that indicates or registers the entire action of the wind in a given time.

3. (Math.) To subject to the operation of integration; to find the integral of.

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In`te*gra"tion (n`t*gr"shn), n. [L. integratio a renewing, restoring: cf. F. intégration.]

1. The act or process of making whole or entire.

2. (Math.) The operation of finding the primitive function which has a given function for its differential coefficient. See Integral.

The symbol of integration is (standing for the Latin summa sum), and the integral is also regarded as the limiting value of the sum of great numbers of differentials, when the magnitude of the differentials decreases, and their number increases indefinitely. See Limit, n. When the summation is made between specified values of the variable, the result is a definite integral, and those values of the variable are the limits of the integral. When the summation is made successively for two or more variables, the result is a multiple integral.

3. In the theory of evolution: The process by which the manifold is compacted into the relatively simple and permanent. It is supposed to alternate with differentiation as an agent in development.

In"te*gra`tor (?), n. (Math. & Mech.) That which integrates; esp., an instrument by means of which the area of a figure can be measured directly, or its moment of inertia, or statical moment, etc., be determined.

In*teg"ri*ty (?), n. [L. integritas: cf. F. intégrité. See Integer, and cf. Entirety.]

1. The state or quality of being entire or complete; wholeness; entireness; unbroken state; as, the integrity of an empire or territory. Sir T. More.

2. Moral soundness; honesty; freedom from corrupting influence or motive; -- used especially with reference to the fulfillment of contracts, the discharge of agencies, trusts, and the like; uprightness; rectitude.

The moral grandeur of independent integrity is the sublimest thing in nature.

Buckminster.

Their sober zeal, integrity, and worth.

Cowper.

3. Unimpaired, unadulterated, or genuine state; entire correspondence with an original condition; purity.

Language continued long in its purity and integrity.

Sir M. Hale.

Syn. -- Honesty; uprightness; rectitude. See Probity.

In`te*gro*pal"li*al (?), a. [L. integer whole + E. pallial.] (Zoöl.) Having the pallial line entire, or without a sinus, as certain bivalve shells.

In*teg`u*ma"tion (?), n. [See Integument.] That part of physiology which treats of the integuments of animals and plants.

In*teg"u*ment (?), n. [L. integumentum, fr. integere to cover; pref. in- in, on + tegere to cover: cf. F. intégument. See 1st n-, and Tegument.] That which naturally invests or covers another thing, as the testa or the tegmen of a seed; specifically (Anat.), a covering which invests the body, as the skin, or a membrane that invests a particular part.

In*teg`u*men"ta*ry (?), n. Belonging to, or composed of, integuments.

In*teg`u*men*ta"tion (?), n. The act or process of covering with integuments; the state or manner of being thus covered.

In"tel*lect (?), n. [L. intellectus, fr. intelligere, intellectum, to understand: cf. intellect. See Intelligent.] (Metaph.) The part or faculty of the human soul by which it knows, as distinguished from the power to feel and to will; sometimes, the capacity for higher forms of knowledge, as distinguished from the power to perceive objects in their relations; the power to judge and comprehend; the thinking faculty; the understanding.

In"tel*lect`ed (?), a. Endowed with intellect; having intellectual powers or capacities. [R.]

In body, and in bristles, they became As swine, yet intellected as before.

Cowper.

In`tel*lec"tion (?), n. [L. intellectio synecdoche: cf. F. intellection.] A mental act or process; especially: (a) The act of understanding; simple apprehension of ideas; intuition. Bentley. (b) A creation of the mind itself. Hickok.

In`tel*lec"tive (?), a. [Cf. F. intellectif.]

1. Pertaining to, or produced by, the intellect or understanding; intellectual.

2. Having power to understand, know, or comprehend; intelligent; rational. Glanvill.

3. Capable of being perceived by the understanding only, not by the senses.

Intellective abstractions of logic and metaphysics.

Milton.

In`tel*lec"tive*ly, adv. In an intellective manner. [R.] "Not intellectivelly to write." Warner.

In`tel*lec"tu*al (?; 135), a. [L. intellectualis: cf. F. intellectuel.]

1. Belonging to, or performed by, the intellect; mental; as, intellectual powers, activities, etc.

Logic is to teach us the right use of our reason or intellectual powers.

I. Watts.

2. Endowed with intellect; having the power of understanding; having capacity for the higher forms of knowledge or thought; characterized by intelligence or mental capacity; as, an intellectual person.

Who would lose, Though full of pain, this intellectual being, Those thoughts that wander through eternity?

Milton.

3. Suitable for exercising the intellect; formed by, and existing for, the intellect alone; perceived by the intellect; as, intellectual employments.

4. Relating to the understanding; treating of the mind; as, intellectual philosophy, sometimes called "mental" philosophy.

In`tel*lec"tu*al, n. The intellect or understanding; mental powers or faculties.

Her husband, for I view far round, not nigh, Whose higher intellectual more I shun.

Milton.

I kept her intellectuals in a state of exercise.

De Quincey.

In`tel*lec"tu*al*ism (?), n. 1. Intellectual power; intellectuality.

2. The doctrine that knowledge is derived from pure reason.

In`tel*lec"tu*al*ist (?), n. 1. One who overrates the importance of the understanding. [R.] Bacon.

2. One who accepts the doctrine of intellectualism.

In`tel*lec`tu*al"i*ty (?), n. [L. intellectualitas: cf. F. intellectualité.] Intellectual powers; possession of intellect; quality of being intellectual.