Chapter 44

{ Ir`i*dos"mine (?), Ir`i*dos"mi*um (?), } n. [Iridium + osmium.] (Min.) 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.

I"ris (?), n.; pl. E. Irises (#), L. Irides (#). [L. iris, iridis, the goddess, Gr. &?;, &?;, the rainbow, iris of the eye, the plant Iris. Cf. Orris.] 1. (Class. Myth.) 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.) The contractile membrane perforated by the pupil, and forming the colored portion of the eye. See Eye.

5. (Bot.) 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.) See Fleur-de-lis, 2.

I"ris*a`ted (?), a. [See Iris.] Exhibiting the prismatic colors; irised; iridescent. W. Phillips.

I"ri*scope (?), n. [Iris + - scope.] A philosophical toy for exhibiting the prismatic tints by means of thin films.

I"rised (?), a. [See Iris.] Having colors like those of the rainbow; iridescent. Holmes.

I"rish (?), a. [AS. &?;risc, fr. &?;ras the Irish. Cf. Aryan, Erse.] 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.

I*rish", n. sing. & pl. 1. pl. 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.

I*rish"ism (?), n. A mode of speaking peculiar to the Irish; an Hibernicism.

I"rish*man (?), n.; pl. Irishmen (&?;). 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.

I"rish*ry (?), n. The Celtic people of Ireland. "The whole Irishry of rebels." Milton.

||I*ri"tis (?), n. [NL. See Iris, and -itis.] (Med.) An inflammation of ||the iris of the eye. || Irk (rk), v. t. [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.] 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.

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.

I"ron ("rn), n. [OE. iren, AS. ren, sen, sern; akin to D. ijzer, OS. sarn, OHG. sarn, san, G. eisen, Icel. sarn, jrn, Sw. & Dan. jern, and perh. to E. ice; cf. Ir. iarann, W. haiarn, Armor. houarn.]

1. (Chem.) 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 on a 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.

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. 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.

I"ron ("rn), a. [AS. ren, sen. 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.

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 forms 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.

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.

I"ron*bark` tree` (?). (Bot.) The Australian Eucalyptus Sideroxylon, used largely by carpenters and shipbuilders; -- called also ironwood.

I"ron*bound` (?), a. 1. Bound as with iron; rugged; as, an ironbound coast.

2. Rigid; unyielding; as, ironbound traditions.

I"ron-cased` (?), a. Cased or covered with iron, as a vessel; 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.]

I"ron*clad`, n. 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.

I"ron*er (?), n. One who, or that which, irons.

I"ron-fist`ed (?), a. Closefisted; stingy; mean.

I"ron-gray` (?), a. Of a gray color, somewhat resembling that of iron freshly broken. -- n. An iron-gray color; also, a horse of this color.

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

I"ron-heart`ed (?), a. Hard- hearted; unfeeling; cruel; as, an iron-hearted master. Cowper.

I*ron"ic (?), a. Ironical. Sir T. Herbert.

I*ron"ic*al (?), a. [LL. ironicus, Gr. &?; dissembling: cf. F. 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.

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 while being ironed.

I"ron*ish, a. Resembling iron, as in taste. Wood.

I"ron*ist (?), n. One who uses irony.

I"ron*mas`ter (?), n. A manufacturer of iron, or large dealer therein. Bp. Hurd.

I"ron*mon`ger (?), n. A dealer in iron or hardware.

I"ron*mon`ger*y (?), n. Hardware; a general name for all articles made of iron. Gwilt.

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

I"ron-sid`ed (?), a. Having iron sides, or very firm sides.

I"ron*sides" (?), n. A cuirassier or cuirassiers; also, hardy veteran soldiers; -- applied specifically to Cromwell's cavalry.

I"ron*smith` (?), n. 1. A worker in iron; one who makes and repairs utensils of iron; a blacksmith.

2. (Zoöl.) 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.

I"ron*stone` (?), n. 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.

I"ron*ware` (?), n. Articles made of iron, as household utensils, tools, and the like.

I"ron*weed` (?), n. (Bot.) A tall weed with purplish flowers (Vernonia Noveboracensis). The name is also applied to other plants of the same genus.

I"ron*wood` (?), n. (Bot.) A tree unusually hard, strong, or heavy wood.

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.

I"ron*work` (?), n. Anything made of iron; -- a general name of such parts or pieces of a building, vessel, carriage, etc., as consist of iron.

I"ron works`. See under Iron, a.

I"ron*wort` (?), n. (Bot.) An herb of the Mint family (Sideritis), supposed to heal sword cuts; also, a species of Galeopsis.

I"ron*y (?), a. [From Iron.]

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

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

I"ron*y (?), n. [L. ironia, Gr. &?; dissimulation, fr. &?; a dissembler in speech, fr. &?; to speak; perh. akin to E. 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.

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

I"rous (?), a. [OF. iros, from ire. See Ire.] Irascible; passionate. [Obs.] Chaucer.

{ Irp, Irpe } (rp), n. [Etymol. uncertain.] A fantastic grimace or contortion of the body. [Obs.]

Smirks and irps and all affected humors.

B. Jonson.

<! p. 789 !>

Irp (rp), a. Making irps. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

{ Ir*ra"di*ance (r*r"d*ans), Ir*ra"di*an*cy (- an*s), } n. [From Irradiant.]

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

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

Ir*ra"di*ant (?), a. [L. irradians, -antis, p. pr. See Irradiate.] Irradiating or illuminating; as, the irradiant moon. Boyse.

Ir*ra"di*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Irradiated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Irradiating (?).] [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 façade, . . . irradiating hospitality.

H. James.

Ir*ra"di*ate, v. i. To emit rays; to shine.

Ir*ra"di*ate (?), a. [L. irradiatus, p. p.] Illuminated; irradiated. Mason.

Ir*ra`di*a"tion (?), n. [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.) 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.

Ir*rad"i*cate (?), v. t. To root deeply. [R.]

Ir*ra"tion*al (?), a. [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.) 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.

Ir*ra`tion*al"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being irrational. "Brutish irrationaliity." South.

Ir*ra"tion*al*ly (?), adv. In an irrational manner. Boyle.

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

Ir`re*but"ta*ble (?), a. Incapable of being rebutted. Coleridge.

Ir`re*cep"tive (?), a. Not receiving; incapable of receiving.

Ir`re*claim"a*ble (?), a. Incapable of being reclaimed. Addison. -- Ir`re*claim"a*bly, ad&?;.

Ir*rec`og*ni"tion (?), n. [Pref. in- not + recognition.] A failure to recognize; absence of recognition. Lamb.

Ir*rec"og*ni`za*ble (?; 277), a. Not recognizable. Carlyle.

Ir*rec`on*ci`la*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being irreconcilable; irreconcilableness.

Ir*rec"on*ci`la*ble (?; 277), a. [Pref. ir- not + reconcilable: cf. F. irréconciliable.] 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.

Ir*rec"on*cile` (?), v. t. To prevent from being reconciled; to alienate or disaffect. [Obs.]

Ir*rec"on*cile`ment (?), n. The state or quality of being unreconciled; disagreement.

Ir*rec`on*cil`i*a"tion (?), n. Want of reconciliation; disagreement.

Ir`re*cord"a*ble (?), a. [Pref. ir-- not + record: cf. L. irrecordabilis not to be remembered.] Not fit or possible to be recorded.

Ir`re*cov"er*a*ble (?), a. 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.

Ir`re*cu"per*a*ble (?), a. [L. irrecuperabilis: cf. OF. irrecuperable. See In- not, and Recuperate.] Irrecoverable. -- Ir`re*cu"per*a*bly, adv.

Ir`re*cured" (?), a. Incurable. [Obs.]

Ir`re*cu"sa*ble (?), a. [L. irrecusabilis; pref. ir-- not + recusabilis that should be rejected, fr. recusare to reject: cf. F. irrécusable.] Not liable to exception or rejection. Sir W. Hamilton.

Ir`re*deem`a*bil"i*ty (?), n. The state or quality of being irredeemable; irredeemableness.

Ir`re*deem"a*ble (?), a. 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.

Ir`re*du`ci*bil"i*ty (?), n. The state or quality of being 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.) 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.

Ir`re*flec"tion (?), n. Want of reflection.

Ir`re*flect"ive (?), a. Not reflective. De Quincey.

Ir`re*form"a*ble (?), a. Incapable of being reformed; incorrigible. Joseph Cook.

Ir*ref`ra*ga*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being irrefragable; incapability of being refuted.

Ir*ref"ra*ga*ble (r*rf"r*g*b'l), a. [F. irréfragable, L. irrefragabilis. See Refragable.] 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.

Ir`re*fran`gi*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being irrefrangible; irrefrangibleness.

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

Ir`re*fut"a*ble (?; 277), a. [L. irrefutabilis: cf. F. irréfutable. See Refute.] Incapable of being refuted or disproved; indisputable. -- Ir`re*fut"a*ble*ness, n. -- Ir`re*fut"a*bly, adv.

Ir`re*gen"er*a*cy (?), n. Unregeneracy.

Ir`re*gen`er*a"tion (?), n. An unregenerate state. [Obs.]

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

Ir*reg"u*lar, n. One who is not regular; especially, a soldier not in regular service.

Ir*reg"u*lar*ist, n. One who is irregular. Baxter.

Ir*reg`u*lar"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Irregularities (#). [Cf. F. irrégularité.] The state or quality of being irregular; that which is irregular.

Ir*reg"u*lar*ly, adv. In an irregular manner.