Chapter 42

1. The act of finding out or inventing; contrivance or construction of that which has not before existed; as, the invention of logarithms; the invention of the art of printing.

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As the search of it [truth] is the duty, so the invention will be the happiness of man.

Tatham.

2. That which is invented; an original contrivance or construction; a device; as, this fable was the invention of Esop; that falsehood was her own invention.

We entered by the drawbridge, which has an invention to let one fall if not premonished.

Evelyn.

3. Thought; idea. Shak.

4. A fabrication to deceive; a fiction; a forgery; a falsehood.

Filling their hearers With strange invention.

Shak.

5. The faculty of inventing; imaginative faculty; skill or ingenuity in contriving anything new; as, a man of invention.

They lay no less than a want of invention to his charge; a capital crime, . . . for a poet is a maker.

Dryden.

6. (Fine Arts, Rhet., etc.) The exercise of the imagination in selecting and treating a theme, or more commonly in contriving the arrangement of a piece, or the method of presenting its parts.

Invention of the cross (Eccl.), a festival celebrated May 3d, in honor of the finding of our Savior's cross by St. Helena.

In*ven"tious (?), a. Inventive. [Obs.]

In*vent"ive (?), a. [Cf. F. inventif.] Able and apt to invent; quick at contrivance; ready at expedients; as, an inventive head or genius. Dryden. -- In*vent"ive*ly, adv. -- In*vent"ive*ness, n.

In*vent"or (?), n. [L.: cf. F. inventeur.] One who invents or finds out something new; a contriver; especially, one who invents mechanical devices.

In`ven*to"ri*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to an inventory. -- In`ven*to"ri*al*ly, adv. Shak.

In"ven*to*ry (?), n.; pl. Inventories (#). [L. inventarium: cf. LL. inventorium, F. inventaire, OF. also inventoire. See Invent.] An account, catalogue, or schedule, made by an executor or administrator, of all the goods and chattels, and sometimes of the real estate, of a deceased person; a list of the property of which a person or estate is found to be possessed; hence, an itemized list of goods or valuables, with their estimated worth; specifically, the annual account of stock taken in any business.

There take an inventory of all I have.

Shak.

Syn. -- List; register; schedule; catalogue. See List.

In"ven*to*ry, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inventoried (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Inventorying.] [Cf. F. inventorier.] To make an inventory of; to make a list, catalogue, or schedule of; to insert or register in an account of goods; as, a merchant inventories his stock.

I will give out divers schedules of my beauty; it shall be inventoried, and every particle and utensil labeled.

Shak.

In*vent"ress (?), n. [Cf. L. inventrix, F. inventrice.] A woman who invents. Dryden.

In`ve*rac"i*ty (?), n. Want of veracity.

In*ver`i*si*mil"i*tude (?), n. Want of verisimilitude or likelihood; improbability.

In*verse" (?), a. [L. inversus, p. p. of invertere: cf. F. inverse. See Invert.]

1. Opposite in order, relation, or effect; reversed; inverted; reciprocal; -- opposed to direct.

2. (Bot.) Inverted; having a position or mode of attachment the reverse of that which is usual.

3. (Math.) Opposite in nature and effect; -- said with reference to any two operations, which, when both are performed in succession upon any quantity, reproduce that quantity; as, multiplication is the inverse operation to division. The symbol of an inverse operation is the symbol of the direct operation with -1 as an index. Thus sin-1 x means the arc whose sine is x.

Inverse figures (Geom.), two figures, such that each point of either figure is inverse to a corresponding point in the order figure. -- Inverse points (Geom.), two points lying on a line drawn from the center of a fixed circle or sphere, and so related that the product of their distances from the center of the circle or sphere is equal to the square of the radius. -- Inverse, or Reciprocal, ratio (Math.), the ratio of the reciprocals of two quantities. -- Inverse, or Reciprocal, proportion, an equality between a direct ratio and a reciprocal ratio; thus, 4 : 2 : : : , or 4 : 2 : : 3 : 6, inversely.

In"verse, n. That which is inverse.

Thus the course of human study is the inverse of the course of things in nature.

Tatham.

In*verse"ly (?), adv. In an inverse order or manner; by inversion; -- opposed to directly.

Inversely proportional. See Directly proportional, under Directly, and Inversion, 4.

In*ver"sion (?), n. [L. inversio: cf. F. inversion. See Invert.]

1. The act of inverting, or turning over or backward, or the state of being inverted.

2. A change by inverted order; a reversed position or arrangement of things; transposition.

It is just the inversion of an act of Parliament; your lordship first signed it, and then it was passed among the Lords and Commons.

Dryden.

3. (Mil.) A movement in tactics by which the order of companies in line is inverted, the right being on the left, the left on the right, and so on.

4. (Math.) A change in the order of the terms of a proportion, so that the second takes the place of the first, and the fourth of the third.

5. (Geom.) A peculiar method of transformation, in which a figure is replaced by its inverse figure. Propositions that are true for the original figure thus furnish new propositions that are true in the inverse figure. See Inverse figures, under Inverse.

6. (Gram.) A change of the usual order of words or phrases; as, "of all vices, impurity is one of the most detestable," instead of, "impurity is one of the most detestable of all vices."

7. (Rhet.) A method of reasoning in which the orator shows that arguments advanced by his adversary in opposition to him are really favorable to his cause.

8. (Mus.) (a) Said of intervals, when the lower tone is placed an octave higher, so that fifths become fourths, thirds sixths, etc. (b) Said of a chord, when one of its notes, other than its root, is made the bass. (c) Said of a subject, or phrase, when the intervals of which it consists are repeated in the contrary direction, rising instead of falling, or vice versa. (d) Said of double counterpoint, when an upper and a lower part change places.

9. (Geol.) The folding back of strata upon themselves, as by upheaval, in such a manner that the order of succession appears to be reversed.

10. (Chem.) The act or process by which cane sugar (sucrose), under the action of heat and acids or ferments (as diastase), is broken or split up into grape sugar (dextrose), and fruit sugar (levulose); also, less properly, the process by which starch is converted into grape sugar (dextrose).

The terms invert and inversion, in this sense, owe their meaning to the fact that the plane of polarization of light, which is rotated to the right by cane sugar, is turned toward the left by levulose.

In*vert" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inverted; p. pr. & vb. n. Inverting.] [L. invertere, inversum; pref. in- in + vertere to turn. See Verse.]

1. To turn over; to put upside down; to upset; to place in a contrary order or direction; to reverse; as, to invert a cup, the order of words, rules of justice, etc.

That doth invert the attest of eyes and ears, As if these organs had deceptious functions.

Shak.

Such reasoning falls like an inverted cone, Wanting its proper base to stand upon.

Cowper.

2. (Mus.) To change the position of; - - said of tones which form a chord, or parts which compose harmony.

3. To divert; to convert to a wrong use. [Obs.] Knolles.

4. (Chem.) To convert; to reverse; to decompose by, or subject to, inversion. See Inversion, n., 10.

In*vert", v. i. (Chem.) To undergo inversion, as sugar.

In"vert (?), a. (Chem.) Subjected to the process of inversion; inverted; converted; as, invert sugar.

Invert sugar (Chem.), a variety of sugar, consisting of a mixture of dextrose and levulose, found naturally in fruits, and produced artificially by the inversion of cane sugar (sucrose); also, less properly, the grape sugar or dextrose obtained from starch. See Inversion, Dextrose, Levulose, and Sugar.

In"vert, n. (Masonry) An inverted arch.

In*ver"te*bral (?), a. (Zoöl.) Same as Invertebrate.

||In*ver`te*bra"ta (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. L. in- not + vertebratus ||vertebrate.] (Zoöl.) A comprehensive division of the animal kingdom, ||including all except the Vertebrata. || In*ver"te*brate (?), a. (Zoöl.) Destitute of a backbone; having no vertebræ; of or pertaining to the Invertebrata. -- n. One of the Invertebrata.

Age of invertebrates. See Age, and Silurian.

In*ver"te*bra`ted (?), a. Having no backbone; invertebrate.

In*vert"ed (?), a.

1. Changed to a contrary or counterchanged order; reversed; characterized by inversion.

2. (Geol.) Situated apparently in reverse order, as strata when folded back upon themselves by upheaval.

Inverted arch (Arch.), an arch placed with crown downward; -- much used in foundations.

In*vert"ed*ly, adv. In an inverted order. Derham.

In*vert"i*ble (?), a. [From Invert.]

1. Capable of being inverted or turned.

2. (Chem.) Capable of being changed or converted; as, invertible sugar.

In*vert"i*ble, a. [Pref. in- not + L. vertere to turn + -ible.] Incapable of being turned or changed.

An indurate and invertible conscience.

Cranmer.

In*vert"in (?), n. (Physiol. Chem.) An unorganized ferment which causes cane sugar to take up a molecule of water and be converted into invert sugar.

In*vest" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Invested; p. pr. & vb. n. Investing.] [L. investire, investitum; pref. in- in + vestire to clothe, fr. vestis clothing: cf. F. investir. See Vest.]

1. To put garments on; to clothe; to dress; to array; -- opposed to divest. Usually followed by with, sometimes by in; as, to invest one with a robe.

2. To put on. [Obs.]

Can not find one this girdle to invest.

Spenser.

3. To clothe, as with office or authority; to place in possession of rank, dignity, or estate; to endow; to adorn; to grace; to bedeck; as, to invest with honor or glory; to invest with an estate.

I do invest you jointly with my power.

Shak.

4. To surround, accompany, or attend.

Awe such as must always invest the spectacle of the guilt.

Hawthorne.

5. To confer; to give. [R.]

It investeth a right of government.

Bacon.

6. (Mil.) To inclose; to surround or hem in with troops, so as to intercept succors of men and provisions and prevent escape; to lay siege to; as, to invest a town.

7. To lay out (money or capital) in business with the view of obtaining an income or profit; as, to invest money in bank stock.

In*vest" (?), v. i. To make an investment; as, to invest in stocks; -- usually followed by in.

In*vest"ient (?), a. [L. investiens, p. pr. of investire.] Covering; clothing. [R.] Woodward.

In*ves"ti*ga*ble (?), a. [L. investigabilis. See Investigate.] Capable or susceptible of being investigated; admitting research. Hooker.

In*ves"ti*ga*ble, a. [L. investigabilis. See In- not, and Vestigate.] Unsearchable; inscrutable. [Obs.]

So unsearchable the judgment and so investigable the ways thereof.

Bale.

In*ves"ti*gate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Investigated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Investigating.] [L. investigatus, p. p. of investigare to investigate; pref. in- in + vestigare to track, trace. See Vestige.] To follow up step by step by patient inquiry or observation; to trace or track mentally; to search into; to inquire and examine into with care and accuracy; to find out by careful inquisition; as, to investigate the causes of natural phenomena.

In*ves"ti*gate, v. i. To pursue a course of investigation and study; to make investigation.

In*ves`ti*ga"tion (?), n. [L. investigatio: cf. F. investigation.] The act of investigating; the process of inquiring into or following up; research; study; inquiry, esp. patient or thorough inquiry or examination; as, the investigations of the philosopher and the mathematician; the investigations of the judge, the moralist.

In*ves"ti*ga*tive (?), a. Given to investigation; inquisitive; curious; searching.

In*ves"ti*ga`tor (?), n. [L.: cf. F. investigateur.] One who searches diligently into a subject.

In*ves"ti*ture (?; 135), n. [LL. investitura: cf. F. investiture.]

1. The act or ceremony of investing, or the state of being invested, as with an office; a giving possession; also, the right of so investing.

He had refused to yield up to the pope the investiture of bishops.

Sir W. Raleigh.

2. (Feudal Law) Livery of seizin.

The grant of land or a feud was perfected by the ceremony of corporal investiture, or open delivery of possession.

Blackstone.

3. That with which anyone is invested or clothed; investment; clothing; covering.

While we yet have on Our gross investiture of mortal weeds.

Trench.

In*vest"ive (?), a. Investing. [R.] Mir. for Mag.

In*vest"ment (?), n. 1. The act of investing, or the state of being invested.

2. That with which anyone is invested; a vestment.

Whose white investments figure innocence.

Shak.

3. (Mil.) The act of surrounding, blocking up, or besieging by an armed force, or the state of being so surrounded.

The capitulation was signed by the commander of the fort within six days after its investments.

Marshall.

4. The laying out of money in the purchase of some species of property; the amount of money invested, or that in which money is invested.

Before the investment could be made, a change of the market might render it ineligible.

A. Hamilton.

An investment in ink, paper, and steel pens.

Hawthorne.

In*vest"or (?), n. One who invests.

In*ves"ture (?; 135), n. Investiture; investment. [Obs.] Bp. Burnet.

In*ves"ture, v. t. To clothe; to invest; to install. [Obs.] "Monks . . . investured in their copes." Fuller.

In*vet"er*a*cy (?), n. [From Inveterate.]

1. Firm establishment by long continuance; firmness or deep-rooted obstinacy of any quality or state acquired by time; as, the inveteracy of custom, habit, or disease; -- usually in a bad sense; as, the inveteracy of prejudice or of error.

An inveteracy of evil habits that will prompt him to contract more.

A. Tucker.

2. Malignity; spitefulness; virulency.

The rancor of pamphlets, the inveteracy of epigrams, and the mortification of lampoons.

Guardian.

In*vet"er*ate (?), a. [L. inveteratus, p. p. of inveterare to render old; pref. in- in + vetus, veteris, old. See Veteran.]

1. Old; long-established. [Obs.]

It is an inveterate and received opinion.

Bacon.

2. Firmly established by long continuance; obstinate; deep-rooted; of long standing; as, an inveterate disease; an inveterate abuse.

Heal the inveterate canker of one wound.

Shak.

3. Having habits fixed by long continuance; confirmed; habitual; as, an inveterate idler or smoker.

4. Malignant; virulent; spiteful. H. Brooke.

In*vet"er*ate (?), v. t. To fix and settle by long continuance. [Obs.] Bacon.

In*vet"er*ate*ly (?), adv. In an inveterate manner or degree. "Inveterately tough." Hawthorne.

In*vet"er*ate*ness, n. Inveteracy. Sir T. Browne.

In*vet`er*a"tion (?), n. [L. inveteratio.] The act of making inveterate. [R.] Bailey.

In*vict" (?), a. [L. invictus. See In- not, and Victor.] Invincible. [Obs.] Joye.

In*vid"i*ous (?), a. [L. invidiosus, fr. invidia envy. See Envy, and cf. Envious.]

1. Envious; malignant. [Obs.] Evelyn.

2. Worthy of envy; desirable; enviable. [Obs.]

Such a person appeareth in a far more honorable and invidious state than any prosperous man.

Barrow.

3. Likely to incur or produce ill will, or to provoke envy; hateful; as, invidious distinctions.

Agamemnon found it an invidious affair to give the preference to any one of the Grecian heroes.

Broome.

-- In*vid"i*ous*ly, adv. -- In*vid"i*ous*ness, n.

{ In*vig"i*lance (?), In*vig"i*lan*cy (?), } n. [in- not + vigilance: cf. OF. invigilance.] Want of vigilance; neglect of watching; carelessness.

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In*vig"or (n*vg"r), v. t. To invigorate. [Obs.]

In*vig"or*ate (-t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Invigorated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Invigorating.] [Pref. in- in + vigor.] To give vigor to; to strengthen; to animate; to give life and energy to.

Christian graces and virtues they can not be, unless fed, invigorated, and animated by universal charity.

Atterbury.

Syn. -- To refresh; animate; exhilarate; stimulate.

In*vig`or*a"tion (?), n. The act of invigorating, or the state of being invigorated.

In*vile" (?), v. t. To render vile. [Obs.] Daniel.

In*vil"laged (?; 48), p. a. Turned into, or reduced to, a village. [Obs.] W. Browne.

In*vin`ci*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. invincibilité.] The quality or state of being invincible; invincibleness.

In*vin"ci*ble (?), a. [L. invincibilis: cf. F. invincible. See In- not, and Vincible.] Incapable of being conquered, overcome, or subdued; unconquerable; insuperable; as, an invincible army, or obstacle.

Lead forth to battle these my sons Invincible.

Milton.

-- In*vin"ci*ble*ness, n. -- In*vin"ci*bly, adv.

In*vi`o*la*bil"i*ty (?), n. [L. inviolabilitas: cf. F. inviolabilité.] The quality or state of being inviolable; inviolableness.

In*vi"o*la*ble (?), a. [L. inviolabilis: cf. F. inviolable. See Inviolate, a.]

1. Not violable; not susceptible of hurt, wound, or harm (used with respect to either physical or moral damage); not susceptible of being profaned or corrupted; sacred; holy; as, inviolable honor or chastity; an inviolable shrine.

He tried a third, a tough, well-chosen spear, The inviolable body stood sincere.

Dryden.

2. Unviolated; uninjured; undefiled; uncorrupted.

For thou, be sure, shalt give account To him who sent us, whose charge is to keep This place inviolable, and these from harm.

Milton.

3. Not capable of being broken or violated; as, an inviolable covenant, agreement, promise, or vow.

Their almighty Maker first ordained And bound them with inviolable bands.

Spenser.

And keep our faiths firm and inviolable.

Shak.

In*vi"o*la*ble*ness, n. The quality or state of being inviolable; as, the inviolableness of divine justice.

In*vi"o*la*bly, adv. Without violation.

In*vi"o*la*cy (?), n. The state or quality of being inviolate; as, the inviolacy of an oath.

{ In*vi"o*late (?), In*vi"o*la`ted (?), } a. [L. inviolatus. See In- not, and Violate.]

1. Not violated; uninjured; unhurt; unbroken.

His fortune of arms was still inviolate.

Bacon.

2. Not corrupted, defiled, or profaned; chaste; pure. "Inviolate truth." Denham.

There chaste Alceste lives inviolate.

Spenser.

In*vi"o*late*ly (?), adv. In an inviolate manner.

In*vi"o*late*ness, n. The state of being inviolate.

In"vi*ous (?), a. [L. invius; pref. in- not + via way.] Untrodden. [R.] Hudibras. -- In"vi*ous*ness, n. [R.]

In*vi"rile (?), a. Deficient in manhood; unmanly; effeminate. Lowell.

In`vi*ril"i*ty (?), n. Absence of virility or manhood; effeminacy. Prynne.

In*vis"cate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inviscated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Inviscating (?).] [L. inviscatus, p. p. of inviscare to birdlime; pref. in- in + viscum, viscus, the mistletoe, birdlime.] To daub or catch with glue or birdlime; to entangle with glutinous matter. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

In*vis"cer*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inviscerated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Inviscerating.] [L. invisceratus, p. p. of inviscerare to put into the entrails. See Viscera.] To breed; to nourish. [R.] W. Montagu.

In*vis"cer*ate (?), a. [L. invisceratus, p. p.] Deep-seated; internal. [R.] W. Montagu.

In*vis`i*bil"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Invisibilities (#). [L. invisibilitas: cf. F. invisibilité.] The state or quality of being invisible; also, that which is invisible. "Atoms and invisibilities." Landor.

In*vis"i*ble (?), a. [F. invisible, L. invisibilis. See In- not, and Visible.] Incapable of being seen; not perceptible by vision; not visible.

To us invisible, or dimly seen In these thy lowest works.

Milton.

Invisible bird (Zoöl.), a small, shy singing bird (Myadestes sibilons), of St. Vincent Islands. -- Invisible green, a very dark shade of green, approaching to black, and liable to be mistaken for it.

In*vis"i*ble, n. 1. An invisible person or thing; specifically, God, the Supreme Being.

2. A Rosicrucian; -- so called because avoiding declaration of his craft. [Obs.]

3. (Eccl. Hist.) One of those (as in the 16th century) who denied the visibility of the church. Shipley.

In*vis"i*ble*ness, n. The quality or state of being invisible; invisibility.

In*vis"i*bly, adv. In an invisible manner. Denham.

In*vi"sion (?), n. Want of vision or of the power of seeing. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

In`vi*ta"tion (?), n. [L. invitatio: cf. F. invitation. See Invite.]

1. The act of inviting; solicitation; the requesting of a person's company; as, an invitation to a party, to a dinner, or to visit a friend.

2. A document written or printed, or spoken words, conveying the message by which one is invited.

3. Allurement; enticement. [R.]

She gives the leer of invitation.

Shak.

In*vi"ta*to*ry (?), a. [L. invitatorius: cf. F. invitatoire.] Using or containing invitations.

The "Venite" [Psalm xcv.], which is also called the invitatory psalm.

Hook.

In*vi"ta*to*ry (?), n.; pl. Invitatories (#). [LL. invitatorium: cf. F. invitatoire.] That which invites; specifically, the invitatory psalm, or a part of it used in worship.

In*vite" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Invited; p. pr. & vb. n. Inviting.] [L. invitare: cf. F. inviter. See Vie.]

1. To ask; to request; to bid; to summon; to ask to do some act, or go to some place; esp., to ask to an entertainment or visit; to request the company of; as, to invite to dinner, or a wedding, or an excursion.

So many guests invite as here are writ.

Shak.

I invite his Grace of Castle Rackrent to reflect on this.

Carlyle.

2. To allure; to draw to; to tempt to come; to induce by pleasure or hope; to attract.

To inveigle and invite the unwary sense.

Milton.

Shady groves, that easy sleep invite.

Dryden.

There no delusive hope invites despair.

Cowper.

3. To give occasion for; as, to invite criticism.

Syn. -- To solicit; bid; call; ask; summon; allure; attract; entice; persuade.

In*vite", v. i. To give invitation. Milton.

In*vite"ment (?), n. Invitation. [Obs.] Chapman.

In*vit"er (?), n. One who, or that which, invites.

In*vi"ti*ate (?), a. Not vitiated. Lowell.

In*vit"ing (?), a. Alluring; tempting; as, an inviting amusement or prospect.

Nothing is so easy and inviting as the retort of abuse and sarcasm.

W. Irving.

-- In*vit"ing*ly, adv. -- In*vit"ing*ness, n. Jer. Taylor.

In*vit"ri*fi`a*ble (?), a. Not admitting of being vitrified, or converted into glass. Kirwan.

In"vo*cate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Invocated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Invocating (?).] [L. invocatus, p. p. of invocare. See Invoke.] To invoke; to call on, or for, in supplication; to implore.

If Dagon be thy god, Go to his temple, invocate his aid.

Milton.

In`vo*ca"tion (?), n. [F. invocation, L. invocatio.]

1. The act or form of calling for the assistance or presence of some superior being; earnest and solemn entreaty; esp., prayer offered to a divine being.

Sweet invocation of a child; most pretty and pathetical!

Shak.

The whole poem is a prayer to Fortune, and the invocation is divided between the two deities.

Addison.

2. (Law) A call or summons; especially, a judicial call, demand, or order; as, the invocation of papers or evidence into court.

In"vo*ca*to*ry (?), a. Making or containing invocation; invoking.

In"voice` (?), n. [F. envois things sent, goods forwarded, pl. of envoi a sending or things sent, fr. envoyer to send; cf. F. lettre d'envoi letter of advice of goods forwarded. See Envoy.]

1. (Com.) A written account of the particulars of merchandise shipped or sent to a purchaser, consignee, factor, etc., with the value or prices and charges annexed. Wharton.

2. The lot or set of goods as shipped or received; as, the merchant receives a large invoice of goods.