Oxford English Dictionary.

txt
Ibex n. (pl. -es) wild mountain goat with thick curved ridged horns. [latin]
Ibid. Abbr. In the same book or passage etc. [latin ibidem in the same place]
-ibility suffix forming nouns from, or corresponding to, adjectives in -ible.
Ibis n. (pl. -es) wading bird with a curved bill, long neck, and long legs. [greek,
from egyptian]
-ible suffix forming adjectives meaning ‘that may or may be’ (forcible; possible).
[latin]
-ible suffix forming adjectives meaning ‘that may or may be’ (forcible; possible).
[latin]
-ibly suffix forming adverbs corresponding to adjectives in -ible.
Ibo n. (also igbo) (pl. Same or -s) 1 member of a black people of se nigeria. 2
their language. [native name]

-ic suffix 1 forming adjectives (arabic; classic; public) and nouns (critic; epic;
mechanic; music). 2 combined in higher valence or degree of oxidation (ferric;
sulphuric). [latin -icus, greek -ikos]
-ical suffix forming adjectives corresponding to nouns or adjectives in -ic or -y
(classical; historical).

Ice —n. 1 a frozen water. B sheet of this on water. 2 ice-cream or water-ice (ate
an ice). —v. (icing) 1 mix with or cool in ice (iced drinks). 2 (often foll. By
over, up) a cover or become covered with ice. B freeze. 3 cover (a cake etc.) With
icing. on ice 1 performed by skaters. 2 colloq. In reserve. On thin ice in a risky
situation. [old english]

Ice age n. Glacial period.

Ice-axe n. Cutting tool used by mountaineers.

Iceberg n. Large floating mass of ice. the tip of the iceberg small perceptible
part of something very large or complex. [dutch]

Iceberg lettuce n. Crisp type of round lettuce.

Ice blue adj. & n. (as adj. Often hyphenated) very pale blue.

Icebox n. 1 compartment in a refrigerator for making or storing ice. 2 us

refrigerator.
Ice-breaker n. 1 ship designed to break through ice. 2 joke, incident, etc. That
breaks the ice.
Ice bucket n. Bucket holding ice, used to chill wine.
Ice cap n. Permanent covering of ice, esp. In polar regions.
Ice-cream n. Sweet creamy frozen food, usu. Flavoured.
Ice-cube n. Small block of ice for drinks etc.
Ice-field n. Expanse of ice, esp. In polar regions.
Ice hockey n. Form of hockey played on ice.

Icelander n. 1 native or national of iceland. 2 person of icelandic descent.

Page 707
 Oxford English Dictionary.txt
Icelandic —adj. Of iceland. —n. Language of iceland.
Ice lolly n. (also iced lolly) flavoured ice on a stick.
Ice-pack n. 1 = *pack ice. 2 ice applied to the body for medical purposes.
Ice-pick n. Tool with a spike for splitting up ice.
Ice-plant n. Plant with speckled leaves.
Ice-rink n. = *rink n. 1.

Ice-skate —n. Boot with a blade beneath, for skating on ice. —v. Skate on ice.
ice-skater n.
Ichneumon n. 1 (in full ichneumon fly) small wasp depositing eggs in or on the
larva of another as food for its own larva. 2 mongoose noted for destroying
crocodile eggs. [greek from ikhnos footstep]

Ichthyology n. The study of fishes. ichthyological adj. Ichthyologist n. [greek

ikhthus fish]

Ichthyosaurus n. (also ichthyosaur) (pl. -sauruses or -saurs) extinct marine

reptile with four flippers and usu. A large tail. [greek ikhthus fish, sauros
lizard]

-ician suffix forming nouns denoting persons skilled in subjects having nouns usu.
Ending in -ic or -ics (magician; politician). [french -icien]

Icicle n. Hanging tapering piece of ice, formed from dripping water. [from *ice,
obsolete ickle icicle]

Icing n. 1 coating of sugar etc. On a cake or biscuit. 2 formation of ice on a ship

or aircraft. icing on the cake inessential though attractive addition or
enhancement.
Icing sugar n. Finely powdered sugar.

Icon n. (also ikon) 1 painting of christ etc., esp. In the eastern church. 2 image
or statue. 3 symbol on a vdu screen of a program, option, or window, esp. For
selection. iconic adj. [greek eikon image]
Iconoclast n. 1 person who attacks cherished beliefs. 2 hist. Person destroying
religious images. iconoclasm n. Iconoclastic adj. [greek: related to *icon, klao
break]
Iconography n. 1 the illustration of a subject by drawings or figures. 2 the study
of portraits, esp. Of an individual, or of artistic images or symbols. [greek:
related to *icon]
Iconostasis n. (pl. -stases) (in the eastern church) screen bearing icons. [greek:
related to *icon]
Icosahedron n. Solid figure with twenty faces. [greek eikosi twenty, hedra base]
-ics suffix (treated as sing. Or pl.) Forming nouns denoting arts, sciences, etc.
(athletics; politics).
Icy adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 very cold. 2 covered with or abounding in ice. 3 (of a
tone or manner) unfriendly, hostile. icily adv. Iciness n.
Id abbr. Identification, identity (id card).
Id n. Person's inherited unconscious psychological impulses. [latin, = that]
Page 708
 Oxford English Dictionary.txt
I'd contr. 1 i had. 2 i should; i would.

-ide suffix chem. Forming nouns denoting binary compounds of an element (sodium
chloride; lead sulphide; calcium carbide). [extended from *oxide]
Idea n. 1 plan etc. Formed by mental effort (an idea for a book). 2 a mental
impression or concept. B vague belief or fancy (had an idea you were married). 3
intention or purpose (the idea is to make money). 4 archetype or pattern. 5 ambition
or aspiration (have ideas; put ideas into a person's head). have no idea colloq. 1
not know at all. 2 be completely incompetent. Not one's idea of colloq. Not what one
regards as (not my idea of a holiday). [greek, = form, kind]

Ideal —adj. 1 answering to one's highest conception; perfect. 2 existing only in

idea; visionary. —n. Perfect type, thing, concept, principle, etc., esp. As a
standard to emulate. [french: related to *idea]
Idealism n. 1 forming or pursuing ideals, esp. Unrealistically. 2 representation of
things in ideal form. 3 system of thought in which objects are held to be in some
way dependent on the mind. idealist n. Idealistic adj. Idealistically adv.
Idealize v. (also -ise) (-zing or -sing) regard or represent as ideal or perfect.
idealization n.
Ideally adv. 1 in ideal circumstances. 2 according to an ideal.

Idée fixe n. (pl. Idées fixes pronunc. Same) dominating idea; obsession. [french, =
fixed idea]

Identical adj. 1 (often foll. By with) (of different things) absolutely alike. 2
one and the same. 3 (of twins) developed from a single ovum. identically adv.
[latin identicus: related to *identity]

Identification n. 1 identifying. 2 means of identifying (also attrib.:

identification card).
Identification parade n. Group of people from whom a suspect is to be identified.

Identify v. (-ies, -ied) 1 establish the identity of; recognize. 2 select or

discover (identify the best solution). 3 (also refl.; foll. By with) associate
inseparably or very closely (with a party, policy, etc.). 4 (often foll. By with)
treat as identical. 5 (foll. By with) put oneself in the place of (another person).
identifiable adj. [medieval latin identifico: related to *identity]

Identikit n. (often attrib.) Propr. Picture of esp. A wanted suspect assembled from
standard components using witnesses' descriptions. [from *identity, *kit]

Identity n. (pl. -ies) 1 a condition of being a specified person or thing. B

individuality, personality (felt he had lost his identity). 2 identification or the
result of it (mistaken identity; identity card). 3 absolute sameness (identity of
interests). 4 algebra a equality of two expressions for all values of the
quantities. B equation expressing this. [latin identitas from idem same]
Ideogram n. Character symbolizing a thing without indicating the sounds in its name
(e.g. A numeral, chinese characters). [greek idea form, *-gram]
Ideograph n. = *ideogram. ideographic adj. Ideography n.
Ideologue n. Often derog. Adherent of an ideology. [french: related to *idea]
Ideology n. (pl. -ies) 1 ideas at the basis of an economic or political theory
(marxist ideology). 2 characteristic thinking of a class etc. (bourgeois ideology).
ideological adj. Ideologically adv. Ideologist n. [french: related to *idea,
*-logy]
Page 709
 Oxford English Dictionary.txt
Ides n.pl. Day of the ancient roman month (the 15th day of march, may, july, and
october, the 13th of other months). [latin idus]
Idiocy n. (pl. -ies) 1 foolishness; foolish act. 2 extreme mental imbecility.
Idiom n. 1 phrase etc. Established by usage and not immediately comprehensible from
the words used (e.g. Over the moon, see the light). 2 form of expression peculiar to
a language etc. 3 language of a people or country. 4 characteristic mode of
expression in art etc. [greek idios own]
Idiomatic adj. 1 relating or conforming to idiom. 2 characteristic of a particular
language. idiomatically adv.
Idiosyncrasy n. (pl. -ies) attitude, behaviour, or opinion peculiar to a person;
anything highly individual or eccentric. idiosyncratic adj. Idiosyncratically adv.
[greek idios private, sun with, krasis mixture]
Idiot n. 1 stupid person. 2 mentally deficient person incapable of rational
conduct. idiotic adj. Idiotically adv. [greek idiotes, = private citizen, ignorant
person]

Idle —adj. (idler, idlest) 1 lazy, indolent. 2 not in use; not working. 3 (of time
etc.) Unoccupied. 4 purposeless; groundless (idle rumour). 5 useless, ineffective
(idle protest). —v. (-ling) 1 be idle. 2 run (an engine) or (of an engine) be run
slowly without doing any work. 3 (foll. By away) pass (time etc.) In idleness.
idleness n. Idler n. Idly adv. [old english]

Idol n. 1 image of a deity etc. As an object of worship. 2 object of excessive or

supreme adulation. [greek eidolon image, phantom]
Idolater n. 1 worshipper of idols. 2 devoted admirer. idolatrous adj. Idolatry n.
[related to *idol, greek latreuo worship]

Idolize v. (also -ise) (-zing or -sing) 1 venerate or love excessively. 2 make an

idol of. idolization n.

Idyll n. 1 short description, esp. In verse, of a peaceful or romantic, esp. Rural,

scene or incident. 2 such a scene or incident. [greek eidullion]

Idyllic adj. 1 blissfully peaceful and happy. 2 of or like an idyll. idyllically

adv.

I.e. Abbr. That is to say. [latin id est]

-ie see *-y2.
If —conj. 1 introducing a conditional clause: a on the condition or supposition
that; in the event that (if he comes i will tell him; if you are tired we can rest).
B (with past tense) implying that the condition is not fulfilled (if i knew i would
say). 2 even though (i'll finish it, if it takes me all day). 3 whenever (if i am
not sure i ask). 4 whether (see if you can find it). 5 expressing a wish, surprise,
or request (if i could just try!; if it isn't my old hat!; if you wouldn't mind?).
—n. Condition, supposition (too many ifs about it). if only 1 even if for no other
reason than (i'll come if only to see her). 2 (often ellipt.) Expression of regret;
i wish that (if only i had thought of it). [old english]
Iffy adj. (-ier, -iest) colloq. Uncertain; dubious.
Igbo var. Of *ibo.
Igloo n. Eskimo dome-shaped dwelling, esp. Of snow. [eskimo, = house]

Page 710
 Oxford English Dictionary.txt
Igneous adj. 1 of fire; fiery. 2 (esp. Of rocks) volcanic. [latin ignis fire]
Ignite v. (-ting) 1 set fire to. 2 catch fire. 3 provoke or excite (feelings etc.).
[latin ignio ignit- set on fire]
Ignition n. 1 mechanism for, or the action of, starting combustion in an
internal-combustion engine. 2 igniting or being ignited.
Ignoble adj. (-bler, -blest) 1 dishonourable. 2 of low birth, position, or
reputation. ignobly adv. [latin: related to *in-1, *noble]
Ignominious adj. Shameful, humiliating. ignominiously adv. [latin: related to
*ignominy]
Ignominy n. Dishonour, infamy. [latin: related to *in-1, latin (g)nomen name]
Ignoramus n. (pl. -muses) ignorant person. [latin, = we do not know: related to
*ignore]
Ignorance n. Lack of knowledge. [french from latin: related to *ignore]

Ignorant adj. 1 (often foll. By of, in) lacking knowledge (esp. Of a fact or
subject). 2 colloq. Uncouth. ignorantly adv.

Ignore v. (-ring) refuse to take notice of; intentionally disregard. [latin ignoro
not know]

Iguana n. Large american, w. Indian, or pacific lizard with a dorsal crest.

[spanish from carib iwana]

Iguanodon n. Large plant-eating dinosaur with small forelimbs. [from *iguana, which
it resembles, after mastodon etc.]

Ikebana n. Art of japanese flower arrangement. [japanese, = living flowers]

Ikon var. Of *icon.
Il- prefix assim. Form of *in-1, *in-2 before l.

Ileum n. (pl. Ilea) third and last portion of the small intestine. [latin ilium]
Ilex n. (pl. -es) 1 tree or shrub of the genus including the common holly. 2
holm-oak. [latin]

Iliac adj. Of the lower body (iliac artery). [latin ilia flanks]
Ilk n. 1 colloq., usu. Derog. Sort, family, class, etc. 2 (in of that ilk) scot. Of
the ancestral estate with the same name as the family (guthrie of that ilk). [old
english]
Ill —adj. (attrib. Except in sense 1) 1 (usu. Predic.) Not in good health; unwell.
2 wretched, unfavourable (ill fortune; ill luck). 3 harmful (ill effects). 4
hostile, unkind (ill feeling). 5 faulty, unskilful (ill management). 6 (of manners
or conduct) improper. —adv. 1 badly, wrongly, imperfectly (ill-matched;
ill-provided). 2 scarcely (can ill afford it). 3 unfavourably (spoke ill of them).
—n. 1 injury, harm. 2 evil. ill at ease embarrassed, uneasy. [old norse]
I'll contr. I shall; i will.
Ill-advised adj. Foolish; imprudent.
Ill-assorted adj. Badly matched; mixed.
Ill-bred adj. Badly brought up; rude.
Page 711
 Oxford English Dictionary.txt
Ill-defined adj. Not clearly defined.

Ill-disposed adj. 1 (often foll. By towards) unfavourably disposed. 2 malevolent.

Illegal adj. 1 not legal. 2 criminal. illegality n. (pl. -ies). Illegally adv.
Illegible adj. Not legible. illegibility n. Illegibly adv.
Illegitimate adj. 1 born of parents not married to each other. 2 unlawful. 3
improper. 4 wrongly inferred. illegitimacy n. Illegitimately adv.
Ill-fated adj. Destined to or bringing bad fortune.

Ill-favoured adj. Unattractive.

Ill-founded adj. (of an idea etc.) Baseless.
Ill-gotten adj. Gained unlawfully or wickedly.

Ill health n. Poor physical or mental condition.

Ill humour n. Irritability.
Illiberal adj. 1 intolerant, narrow-minded. 2 without liberal culture; vulgar. 3
stingy; mean. illiberality n. Illiberally adv.

Illicit adj. Unlawful, forbidden. illicitly adv.

Illiterate —adj. 1 unable to read. 2 uneducated. —n. Illiterate person.

illiteracy n. Illiterately adv.

Ill-mannered adj. Having bad manners; rude.

Ill-natured adj. Churlish, unkind.

Illness n. 1 disease. 2 being ill.
Illogical adj. Devoid of or contrary to logic. illogicality n. (pl. -ies).
Illogically adv.
Ill-omened adj. Doomed.

Ill-tempered adj. Morose, irritable.

Ill-timed adj. Done or occurring at an inappropriate time.
Ill-treat v. Treat badly; abuse.
Illuminate v. (-ting) 1 light up; make bright. 2 decorate (buildings etc.) With
lights. 3 decorate (a manuscript etc.) With gold, colour, etc. 4 help to explain (a
subject etc.). 5 enlighten spiritually or intellectually. 6 shed lustre on.
illuminating adj. Illumination n. Illuminative adj. [latin lumen light]
Illumine v. (-ning) literary 1 light up; make bright. 2 enlighten.
Ill-use v. = *ill-treat.
Illusion n. 1 false impression or belief. 2 state of being deceived by appearances.
3 figment of the imagination. be under the illusion (foll. By that) believe
mistakenly. illusive adj. Illusory adj. [latin illudo mock]

Illusionist n. Conjuror.

Page 712
 Oxford English Dictionary.txt
Illustrate v. (-ting) 1 a provide (a book etc.) With pictures. B elucidate by
drawings, pictures, examples, etc. 2 serve as an example of. illustrator n. [latin
lustro light up]
Illustration n. 1 drawing or picture in a book, magazine, etc. 2 explanatory
example. 3 illustrating.
Illustrative adj. (often foll. By of) explanatory; exemplary.
Illustrious adj. Distinguished, renowned. [latin illustris: related to *illustrate]
Ill will n. Bad feeling; animosity.
Im- prefix assim. Form of *in-1, *in-2 before b, m, or p.
I'm contr. I am.

Image —n. 1 representation of an object, e.g. A statue. 2 reputation or persona of

a person, company, etc. 3 appearance as seen in a mirror or through a lens. 4 mental
picture or idea. 5 simile or metaphor. —v. (-ging) 1 make an image of; portray. 2
reflect, mirror. 3 describe or imagine vividly. be the image of be or look exactly
like. [latin imago imagin-]

Imagery n. 1 figurative illustration, esp. In literature. 2 images; statuary,

carving. 3 mental images collectively.

Imaginary adj. 1 existing only in the imagination. 2 math. Being the square root of
a negative quantity. [latin: related to *image]

Imagination n. 1 mental faculty of forming images or concepts of objects or

situations not existent or not directly experienced. 2 mental creativity or
resourcefulness.

Imaginative adj. Having or showing imagination. imaginatively adv.

Imaginativeness n.
Imagine v. (-ning) 1 a form a mental image or concept of. B picture to oneself. 2
think of as probable (can't imagine he'd be so stupid). 3 guess (can't imagine what
he is doing). 4 suppose (i imagine you'll need help). imaginable adj. [latin
imaginor]
Imago n. (pl. -s or imagines) fully developed stage of an insect, e.g. A butterfly.
[latin: see *image]
Imam n. 1 leader of prayers in a mosque. 2 title of various muslim leaders.
[arabic]
Imbalance n. 1 lack of balance. 2 disproportion.
Imbecile —n. 1 colloq. Stupid person. 2 person with a mental age of about five.
—adj. Mentally weak; stupid, idiotic. imbecilic adj. Imbecility n. (pl. -ies).
[french from latin]
Imbed var. Of *embed.
Imbibe v. (-bing) 1 drink (esp. Alcohol). 2 a assimilate (ideas etc.). B absorb
(moisture etc.). 3 inhale (air etc.). [latin bibo drink]
Imbroglio n. (pl. -s) 1 confused or complicated situation. 2 confused heap.
[italian: related to *in-2, *broil]

Imbue v. (-bues, -bued, -buing) (often foll. By with) 1 inspire or permeate (with
feelings, opinions, or qualities). 2 saturate. 3 dye. [latin imbuo]
Page 713
 Oxford English Dictionary.txt
Imf abbr. International monetary fund.

Imitate v. (-ting) 1 follow the example of; copy. 2 mimic. 3 make a copy of. 4 be
like. imitable adj. Imitator n. [latin imitor -tat-]
Imitation n. 1 imitating or being imitated. 2 copy. 3 counterfeit (often attrib.:
imitation leather).
Imitative adj. 1 (often foll. By of) imitating; following a model or example. 2 (of
a word) reproducing a natural sound (e.g. Fizz), or otherwise suggestive (e.g.
Blob).
Immaculate adj. 1 perfectly clean and tidy. 2 perfect (immaculate timing). 3
innocent, faultless. immaculately adv. Immaculateness n. [latin: related to *in-1,
macula spot]
Immaculate conception n. Rc ch. Doctrine that the virgin mary was without original
sin from conception.
Immanent adj. 1 (often foll. By in) naturally present, inherent. 2 (of god)
omnipresent. immanence n. [latin: related to *in-2, maneo remain]

Immaterial adj. 1 unimportant; irrelevant. 2 not material; incorporeal.

immateriality n.
Immature adj. 1 not mature. 2 undeveloped, esp. Emotionally. 3 unripe. immaturely
adv. Immaturity n.

Immeasurable adj. Not measurable; immense. immeasurably adv.

Immediate adj. 1 occurring or done at once (immediate reply). 2 nearest, next;
direct (immediate vicinity; immediate future; immediate cause of death). 3 most
pressing or urgent (our immediate concern). immediacy n. Immediateness n. [latin:
related to *in-1, *mediate]
Immediately —adv. 1 without pause or delay. 2 without intermediary. —conj. As soon
as.
Immemorial adj. Ancient beyond memory or record (from time immemorial).
Immense adj. 1 extremely large; huge. 2 considerable (immense difference).
immenseness n. Immensity n. [latin metior mens- measure]

Immensely adv. 1 colloq. Very much (enjoyed myself immensely). 2 to an immense

degree (immensely rich).
Immerse v. (-sing) 1 a (often foll. By in) dip, plunge. B submerge (a person). 2
(often refl. Or in passive; often foll. By in) absorb or involve deeply. 3 (often
foll. By in) bury, embed. [latin mergo mers- dip]
Immersion n. 1 immersing or being immersed. 2 baptism by total bodily immersion. 3
mental absorption.
Immersion heater n. Electric device immersed in a liquid to heat it, esp. In a
hot-water tank.
Immigrant —n. Person who immigrates. —adj. 1 immigrating. 2 of immigrants.
Immigrate v. Come into a country and settle. immigration n. [related to *in-2,
*migrate]

Imminent adj. Impending; about to happen (war is imminent). imminence n.

Imminently adv. [latin immineo be impending]
Page 714
 Oxford English Dictionary.txt
Immiscible adj. (often foll. By with) not able to be mixed. immiscibility n.

Immobile adj. 1 not moving. 2 unable to move or be moved. immobility n.

Immobilize v. (also -ise) (-zing or -sing) 1 make or keep immobile. 2 keep (a limb
or patient) still for healing purposes. immobilization n.

Immoderate adj. Excessive; lacking moderation. immoderately adv.

Immodest adj. 1 lacking modesty; conceited. 2 shameless, indecent. immodestly
adv. Immodesty n.
Immolate v. (-ting) kill or offer as a sacrifice. immolation n. [latin, =
sprinkle with meal]
Immoral adj. 1 not conforming to accepted morality; morally wrong. 2 sexually
promiscuous or deviant. immorality n. (pl. -ies). Immorally adv.
Immortal —adj. 1 a living for ever; not mortal. B divine. 2 unfading. 3 famous for
all time. —n. 1 a immortal being. B (in pl.) Gods of antiquity. 2 person, esp. An
author, remembered long after death. immortality n. Immortalize v. (also -ise)
(-zing or -sing). Immortally adv.
Immovable adj. (also immoveable) 1 not able to be moved. 2 steadfast, unyielding. 3
emotionless. 4 not subject to change (immovable law). 5 motionless. 6 (of property)
consisting of land, houses, etc. immovability n. Immovably adv.

Immune adj. 1 a (often foll. By against, from, to) protected against infection
through inoculation etc. B relating to immunity (immune system). 2 (foll. By from,
to) exempt from or proof against a charge, duty, criticism, etc. [latin immunis
exempt]

Immunity n. (pl. -ies) 1 ability of an organism to resist infection by means of

antibodies and white blood cells. 2 (often foll. By from) freedom or exemption.
Immunize v. (also -ise) (-zing or -sing) make immune, usu. By inoculation.
immunization n.

Immunodeficiency n. Reduction in normal immune defences.

Immunoglobulin n. Any of a group of related proteins functioning as antibodies.

Immunology n. The study of immunity. immunological adj. Immunologist n.

Immunotherapy n. Prevention or treatment of disease with substances that stimulate

the immune response.

Immure v. (-ring) 1 imprison. 2 refl. Shut oneself away. [latin murus wall]
Immutable adj. Unchangeable. immutability n. Immutably adv.
Imp n. 1 mischievous child. 2 small devil or sprite. [old english, = young shoot]

Impact —n. 1 effect of sudden forcible contact between two solid bodies etc.;
collision. 2 strong effect or impression. —v. 1 press or fix firmly. 2 (as impacted
adj.) (of a tooth) wedged between another tooth and the jaw. 3 (often foll. By on)
have an impact on. impaction n. [latin: related to *impinge]
Impair v. Damage, weaken. impairment n. [latin, = make worse, from pejor]
Impala n. (pl. Same or -s) small african antelope. [zulu]
Impale v. (-ling) transfix or pierce with a sharp stake etc. impalement n. [latin
Page 715
 Oxford English Dictionary.txt
palus *pale2]
Impalpable adj. 1 not easily grasped by the mind; intangible. 2 imperceptible to
the touch. 3 (of powder) very fine. impalpability n. Impalpably adv.
Impanel var. Of *empanel.

Impart v. (often foll. By to) 1 communicate (news etc.). 2 give a share of (a

thing). [latin: related to *part]
Impartial adj. Treating all alike; unprejudiced, fair. impartiality n.
Impartially adv.
Impassable adj. Not able to be traversed. impassability n. Impassableness n.
Impassably adv.
Impasse n. Deadlock. [french: related to *pass1]

Impassible adj. 1 impassive. 2 incapable of feeling, emotion, or injury.

impassibility n. Impassibly adv. [latin patior pass- suffer]
Impassioned adj. Filled with passion; ardent. [italian impassionato: related to
*passion]
Impassive adj. Incapable of or not showing emotion; serene. impassively adv.
Impassiveness n. Impassivity n.

Impasto n. Art technique of laying on paint thickly. [italian]

Impatiens n. Any of several plants including the busy lizzie. [latin: related to
*impatient]

Impatient adj. 1 lacking or showing a lack of patience or tolerance. 2 restlessly

eager. 3 (foll. By of) intolerant of. impatience n. Impatiently adv.
Impeach v. 1 charge with a crime against the state, esp. Treason. 2 us charge (a
public official) with misconduct. 3 call in question, disparage. impeachable adj.
Impeachment n. [french empecher from latin pedica fetter]

Impeccable adj. Faultless, exemplary. impeccability n. Impeccably adv. [related

to *in-1, latin pecco sin]

Impecunious adj. Having little or no money. impecuniosity n. Impecuniousness n.

[related to *pecuniary]
Impedance n. Total effective resistance of an electric circuit etc. To an
alternating current. [from *impede]
Usage impedance is sometimes confused with impediment, which means ‘a hindrance’ or
‘a speech defect’.
Impede v. (-ding) obstruct; hinder. [latin impedio from pes ped- foot]
Impediment n. 1 hindrance or obstruction. 2 speech defect, e.g. A stammer. [latin:
related to *impede]
Usage see note at impedance.
Impedimenta n.pl. 1 encumbrances. 2 baggage, esp. Of an army.
Impel v. (-ll-) 1 drive, force, or urge. 2 propel. [latin pello drive]
Impend v. (often foll. By over) 1 (of a danger, event, etc.) Be threatening or
Page 716