Barrons I

n ichthyology

study of fish; CF. ichthyo-: fish

icon(ikon)

religious image; idol; image or representation

n iconoclastic

attacking cherished traditions; N. iconoclast: one who attacks traditional ideas; one who destroys sacred images

ideology

system of ideas characteristic of a group or culture

n idiom

expression whose meaning as a whole differs from the meanings of its individual words; distinctive style (of expression); Ex. idiom of the modern popular music; ADJ. idiomatic

idiosyncrasy

individual trait usually odd in nature; behavioral peculiarity; eccentricity; attitude

n idolatry

worship of idols; excessive admiration or devotion; ADJ. idolatrous

n idyllic

charmingly carefree; simple and happy; Ex. idyllic scene

s idyll(idyl)

short poem idealizing rural life; simple happy period of life (in the country); scene from such a time; Ex. idyll of two young lovers

n igneous

produced by fire; of fire; volcanic; (of rocks) formed from lava; Ex. igneous meteorite

ignite

kindle; light; catch fire or set fire to

n ignoble

unworthy; not noble; dishonorable; Ex. ignoble deed

n ignominy

deep disgrace; shame or dishonor; ADJ. ignominious; Ex. ignominous defeat

illicit

illegal

n illimitable

infinite; limitless

illuminate

brighten; clear up or make understandable; enlighten; enable to understand; Ex. illuminating remarks

illusion

misleading vision or visual image; false idea or belief; CF. delusion

illusive

deceiving; based on illusion; causing illusion; deceptive

illusory

illusive; deceptive; not real

imbalance

lack of balance or symmetry; disproportion

s disproportion

lack of proportion (between the parts); ADJ. disproportionate

n imbecility

weakness of mind; state of being an imbecile; N. imbecile: stupid person; fool

imbibe

drink in

n imbroglio

complicated situation (as in a play); painful or complex misunderstanding (as in a play); entanglement; confused mass (as of papers); V. embroil

n imbue

saturate(soak thoroughly); fill; Ex. imbue someone with feelings

immaculate

spotless; flawless; absolutely clean

s tenant

one that pays rent to use property owned by another

s tenancy

possession of land or building by rent; period of a tenant's occupancy

imminent

impending; near at hand

immobility

state of being immovable

n immolate

offer or kill as a sacrifice (by fire)

immune

resistant to; free or exempt from; N. immunity

n immure

imprison; shut up in confinement; CF. wall

immutable

unchangeable

impair

injure; hurt; damage

n impale

pierce (with a sharp point); Ex. impaled by the spear

impalpable

imperceptible(not easily understood); intangible; OP. palpable: tangible; easily perceptible

impartial

not biased; fair; N. impartiality

s impart

grant a share of; make known; Ex. news to impart

impassable

not able to be traveled or crossed

impasse

predicament(dangerous condition) from which there is no escape; situation allowing for no further progress

impassive

without feeling; expressionless; imperturbable; stoical; Ex. impassive face

n impeach

charge (a public official) with crime in office; raise doubts about; indict; Ex. impeach a witness's credibility

n impeccable

faultless

s credential

evidence concerning one's authority; written proof of a person's position; Ex. The new ambassador presented his credentials to the court.

impecunious

without money

impede

hide; retard or obstruct the progress of; block

s retard

delay (in development); ADJ. retarded: (as of a child) slower in development

impediment

hindrance; stumbling-block; speech defect preventing clear articulation; Ex. speech impediment

impel

drive or force onward; drive to take action; urge to action

impending

nearing; approaching; about to happen

impenetrable

not able to be pierced or entered; beyond understanding; impossible to understand; Ex. impenetrable mystery

impenitent

not repentant

imperative

absolutely necessary; that must be done; critically important; expressing command; Ex. It is imperative that; N: something that must be done

imperceptible

unnoticeable; impossible to perceive; undetectable

imperial

like an emperor; related to an empire; CF. imperialism

s imperil

put in danger

n imperious

domineering; too commanding; haughty; CF. imperial/emperor

impermeable

impervious; not permitting passage through its substance; impossible to permeate

impertinent

insolent; rude; not pertinent; N. impertinence

imperturbable

unshakably calm; placid

s collected

composed; calm; self-possessed

n impervious

impenetrable; incapable of being damaged or distressed; incapable of being affected (in one's opinions); Ex. impervious to water/criticism

impetuous

violent; hasty; rash; impulsive; without careful thought; Ex. impetuous decision

impetus

moving force; momentum; force of a moving body; incentive; stimulus; impulse

impiety

irreverence; lack of respect for God or piety

n impinge

infringe; encroach; influence; touch; collide with; Ex. The effects are impinging on every aspect of our lives.

impious

irreverent

implacable

incapable of being pacified; impossible to appease; Ex. implacable enemy

implausible

unlikely (to be true); unbelievable; Ex. implausible alibi

implement

put into effect; enforce; carry out; supply with tools; Ex. implement the plan/suggestion; N: tool or instrument

implicate

incriminate; involve incriminatingly; show to be involved (in a crime); Ex. implicate someone in the crime

implication

something hinted at or suggested; implying; implicating

implicit

understood but not stated; implied; unquestioning and complete; Ex. implicit trust

implode

burst inward; CF. vaccum tube

implore

beg

imply

suggest a meaning not expressed; signify

n impolitic

not wise; not expedient; not politic

imponderable

weightless; that cannot undergo precise evaluation; CF. pound

import

significance; importance; meaning

s significant

expressing a meaning; important; Ex. significant smile; N. significance: importance; meaning; V. signify: denote; mean; signal; make known; matter; be significant

n importunate

urging; always demanding; troublesomely urgent or persistent

n importune

beg persistently; make repeated requests (in an annoying way)

imposture

assuming a false identity; masquerade; CF. impostor

s masquerade

wear a mask or disguise; pretend; N: costume party or ball at which masks are worn; pretense; disguise

impotent

weak; ineffective; lacking in physical strength or power

s crave

desire; want intensely

n imprecation

curse; swearword

n impregnable

invulnerable; impossible to capture or enter by force; Ex. impregnable fort/argument; CF. take

s impregnate

make pregnant; fill thoroughly; saturate

impromptu

without previous preparation; off the cuff(end of a sleeve); on the spur of the moment

impropriety

improperness; unsuitableness

improvident

thriftless; not providing for the future

improvise

compose on the spur of the moment

imprudent

lacking caution; not prudent; injudicious

impudence

impertinence; insolence

n impugn

dispute or contradict (often in an insulting way); attack as false or questionable; challenge; gainsay; CF. fight

n impuissance

powerlessness; feebleness

impunity

freedom from punishment or harm; CF. punish

n impute

attribute; ascribe; charge; N. imputation

inadvertently

unintentionally; by oversight; carelessly

s oversee

watch over and direct; supervise; N. oversight: unintentional failure to notice or do something; supervision

inalienable

not to be taken away; nontransferable; Ex. inalienable rights

n inane

silly; senseless; Ex. inane remarks; N. inanity

inanimate

lifeless; not animate

n inarticulate

speechless; producing indistinct speech; not articulate; not expressing oneself clearly

s speechless

unable for the moment to speak (because of strong feeling); Ex. speechless with anger

inaugurate

begin formally; install in office; induct into office by a formal ceremony; N. inauguration; ADJ. inaugural

n incandescent

strikingly bright; shining with intense heat; emitting visible light when heated; Ex. incandescent light bulb; CF. candle

n incantation

singing or chanting of magic spells; magical formula; (the saying of) words used in magic; CF. enchant

s chant

tune(melody) in which a number of words are sung on the same note; V: sing (a chant); utter (a slogan) in the manner of a chant

s charm

quality of pleasing; amulet; action or formula thought to have magical power; spell; V: attract; cast a spell on; bewitch

s bewitch

cast a spell over; captivate completely

s recite

repeat aloud (something learned); describe; Ex. recite his complaints; N. recitation

s recital

act of reciting publicly; detailed account; performance of music or dance (by a solo performer)

n incapacitate

disable; N. incapacity: lack of capacity

incarcerate

imprison

incarnate

endowed with flesh; invested with bodily form; personified; Ex. devil incarnate; V: give bodily form to; embody

incarnation

act of assuming a human body and human nature; one who personifies something; personification; Ex. previous incarnation/reincarnation

s personify

represent (an inanimate object) as a person; be the embodiment or perfect example of; Ex. She is evil/patience personified; N. personification

incendiary

arsonist; ADJ: causing fire; of arson; Ex. incendiary bomb

incense

enrage; infuriate(make furious); make extremely angry; outrage; N: aromatic substance burned to produce a pleasant odor

incentive

spur; motive; something which encourages one to greater activity

inception

start; beginning

incessant

uninterrupted; unceasing

n inchoate

(of desire

incidence

rate of occurrence; particular occurrence; Ex. high incidence of infant mortality

incidental

not essential; minor; N: something incidental

s incident

event; event that causes a crisis

s incinerate

burn to ashes

incipient

beginning; in an early stage

incisive

(appreciatively) cutting; sharp; Ex. incisive remarks; V. incise: make a cut into

incite

arouse to action; goad; motivate; induce to exist; Ex. incite a riot/the crowd to rebellion

n inclement

stormy; unkind; unmerciful; CF. clement

incline

slope; slant; Ex. steep incline

inclined

tending or leaning toward; bent; V. incline: slant; dispose; be disposed; tend

s tend

have a tendency; take care of; minister; serve at; apply one's attention; attend

inclusive

tending to include all; all-inclusive; Ex. inclusive charge

incognito

with identity concealed; using an assumed name; ADJ.

incoherent

unintelligible; muddled; unable to express one's thoughts in an orderly manner; illogical; lacking cohesion; not coherent

incommodious

not spacious; inconvenient

incompatible

inharmonious; N. incompatibility

incongruity

lack of harmony; absurdity; ADJ. incongruous: lacking in harmony; inappropriate

s attire

clothe; N: clothing; array; apparel

inconsequential

insignificant; unimportant

inconsistency

state of being self-contradictory; lack of uniformity or steadiness; ADJ. inconsistent: displaying a lack of consistency; erratic; contradictory; incompatible

incontinent

lacking self-restraint; not continent; licentious

incontrovertible

indisputable; impossible to dispute; not open to question; unquestionable

incorporate

introduce something into a larger whole; include; embody; give material form to; ADJ.

n incorporeal

without a material body; insubstantial

incorrigible

uncorrectable

incredulity

tendency to disbelief

incredulous

withholding belief; skeptical; showing disbelief

increment

increase

incriminate

accuse of or implicate in a crime; serve as evidence against; cause to seem or make guilty of a crime; Ex. incriminating evidence

n incrustation

hard coating or crust; V. incrust: encrust; cover with a crust

incubate

hatch; warm (eggs) with the body to promote hatching; maintain at optimal environment conditions for development; be holding in one's body an infection which is going to develop into a disease; N. incubation; CF. incubation:disease

s inasmuch_as

since; owing to the fact that

incubus

burden; very worriying problem; mental care; nightmare; male devil; CF. succubus

inculcate

teach (ideas or principles); instill

incumbent

obligatory; imposed as an obligation; currently holding an office; N: person who holds an office

incur

bring upon oneself

incursion

temporary invasion; CF. excursion: short journey

indefatigable

tireless; untiring; showing no sign of getting tired

indelible

not able to be erased

n indemnify

make secure against damage or loss; compensate for damage or loss; CF. make uninjured

indentation

notch; deep recess; V. indent; CF. tooth

n indenture

bind as servant or apprentice to master; bind by indenture; N: contract binding one party into the service of another for a specified time (as between an apprentice and his master)

indeterminate

uncertain; not clearly fixed; indefinite

indicative

suggestive; implying; serving to indicate

indices

signs; indications; Ex. indices of a student's potential; CF. index: something that reveals or indicates; sign; Ex. cost-of-living index

indict

charge; N. indictment

indifferent

unmoved or unconcerned by; having no interest in; mediocre; neither good nor bad

indigence

poverty

indigenous

native; Ex. plant indigenous to the New World

indigent

poor; destitute

indignation

anger at an injustice; Ex. righteous indignation; ADJ. indignant

s righteous

morally upright; just

s rightful

legally correct; Ex. rightful owner

indignity

treatment or situation that causes shame or loss of dignity

indiscriminate

choosing at random; confused; not based on careful distinctions

indisputable

too certain to be disputed; beyond doubt

indissoluble

permanent; impossible to dissolve or disintegrate

indite

write; compose

indolent

lazy

indomitable

unconquerable; unyielding

n indubitable

unable to be doubted; which cannot be doubted; unquestionable

induce

persuade; lead to do something; bring about; N. inducement

inductive

pertaining to induction or proceeding from the specific to the general

s induct

place formally in office; install; admit as a member; initiate; N. induction: inducting; process of deriving general principles from particular facts

indulgent

humoring; yielding; lenient; showing indulgence

s indulge

yield to; gratify; allow oneself a special pleasure; Ex. indulge one's every whim/a child/in a big cigarette; N. indulgence

s humor

indulge; comply with the wishes of; N. quality that makes something amusing; state of mind; mood; Ex. in a bad humor; Ex. out of humor

industrious

diligent; hard-working; N. industry

n inebriated

habitually intoxicated; drunk; N. inebriety

s inebriate

make drunk; intoxicate; N. intoxicated person

s intoxicate

make drunk; stimulate or excite; Ex. intoxicated by all the money he might win

n ineffable

unutterable; not to be uttered; taboo; that cannot be expressed in speech; indescribable; unspeakable; inexpressible; Ex. ineffable name/joy

ineffectual

not effective; not having a desired effect; weak

n ineluctable

irresistible; not to be escaped; unavoidable

inept

unsuited; inappropriate; lacking skill; incompetent; CF. inapt: (of statements or ideas) inappropriate

inequity

unfairness; ADJ. inequitable

n inerrancy

infallibility

n inert

inactive; lacking power to move; unable to move or act; Ex. chemically inert; N. inertia: state of being inert; force which keeps a thing in the position or state

inevitable

unavoidable

n inexorable

relentless; unyielding; implacable; not capable of being changed by entreaty or efforts; Ex. inexorable price rises

infallible

unerring; never making mistakes

infamous

notoriously bad; notorious; well known for being bad; Ex. infamous behavior; N: infamy: infamous act; evil fame or reputation

infantile

childish; infantlike

infer

deduce; conclude; N. inference

n infernal

pertaining to hell; devilish; N. inferno: place of fiery heat or destruction

n infidel

unbeliever (with respect to a particular religion)

infiltrate

pass into or through; penetrate or enter (an organization) sneakily; Ex. infiltrate the troops into enemy territory; CF. infiltrator

s penetrate

enter into; pierce; permeate; see through; grasp the inner significance of; understand

infinitesimal

very small

infirmity

weakness

inflated

exaggerated; pompous; enlarged (with air or gas)

influx

flowing into

infraction

violation (of a rule or regulation); breach

infringe

violate (a law); encroach (the right of another person)

ingenious

marked by inventive skill; clever; resourceful; N. ingenuity

s resourceful

clever and imaginative (in dealing with difficult situations); N. resource

ingenuous

naive and trusting; young; unsophisticated; candid

s ingenue

ing\'enue; young innocent girl

ingrained

deeply established; firmly rooted; Ex. ingrained dirt/prejudice

ingrate

ungrateful person (not expressing thanks)

n ingratiate

become popular with; bring (oneself) in favor of another; Ex. ingratiate himself with the boss

inherent

firmly established by nature or habit; intrinsic

inhibit

restrain; prohibit; retard or prevent; N. inhibition

s inhibited

(of a person) unable to express what one really feels

s uninhibited

having no inhibitions; free in behavior and feelings

n inimical

(of someone) unfriendly; hostile; (of something) harmful; detrimental; CF. enemy

inimitable

matchless; not able to be imitated

iniquitous

wicked; immoral; unrighteous; N. iniquity; Ex. den of iniquity

initiate

begin; originate; receive into a group; introduce to a new field or activity; Ex. initiate someone into the mysteries of a secret religion; N: one who has been initiated

injurious

harmful; causing injury

n inkling

hint; slight indication

innate

inborn

innocuous

harmless

innovation

change; something newly introduced; introduction of something new; V. innovate: begin or introduce (something new); be creative; ADJ. innovative

n innuendo

indirect or subtle (derogatory) hint; insinuation; Ex. sexual innuendo

inopportune

untimely; inappropriate or ill-timed; poorly chosen

n inordinate

beyond reasonable limits; unrestrained; excessive; Ex. inordinate demands

inquisitor

questioner (especially harsh); investigator; person making an inquisition

s inquisitive

eager for knowledge; unduly curious

n insalubrious

unwholesome; not healthful; Ex. insalubrious place

s healthful

conducive to good health; Ex. healthful mountain air

s healthy

possessing good health; healthful

s wholesome

conducive to mental or physical health; healthful

insatiable

not easily satisfied; unquenchable; Ex. insatiable appetite

n inscrutable

difficult to understand; impenetrable; not readily understood; mysterious

n insensate

without feeling; lacking sense; foolish

n insensible

unconscious; unresponsive; insensitive; unaware; imperceptible; Ex. insensible of his danger/to pain; Ex. insensible change; CF. not the opposite of sensible

n insidious

treacherous; stealthy; sly; working or spreading harmfully in a stealthy manner; Ex. insidious spreading of dry rot

insightful

discerning; perceptive

n insinuate

hint; imply; suggest indirectly; creep in; introduce or insert (oneself) by artful means; Ex. insinuate himself into the boss's favor; CF. ingratiate

s creep

move with body close to the ground; move stealthily or slowly; N.

s artful

exhibiting art or skill; deceitful; cunning; CF. artifice

n insipid

lacking in flavor; lacking interest; dull; Ex. insipid food/character

insolence

impudent disrespect; haughtiness; ADJ. insolent; CF. haughty + rude

insolvent

bankrupt; lacking money to pay; N. insolvency

insomnia

wakefulness; inability to sleep

n insouciant

without concern or care; unconcerned; indifferent

n instigate

start; urge; provoke; incite; Ex. instigate a search/quarrel

insubordination

disobedience; rebelliousness; ADJ. insubordinate

insubstantial

lacking substance; insignificant; frail; immaterial

n insularity

narrow-mindedness; isolation; ADJ. insular: of an island; isolated; narrow-minded; CF. peninsula

insuperable

insurmountable; unbeatable; Ex. insuperable difficulties

s odds

chances; probability; disagreement; Ex. The odds are that it will rain. Ex. at odds with

insurgent

rebellious; N.

insurmountable

overwhelming; unbeatable; insuperable

insurrection

rebellion; uprising

intangible

not able to be perceived by touch; vague

integral

complete; necessary for completeness; Ex. integral part

integrate

make whole; combine; make into one unit

integrity

honesty; uprightness; wholeness; state of being whole and undivided; completeness

s upright

(sitting or standing) straight up; honest; moral

intellect

higher mental powers; person of great intellectual ability

intelligentsia

intellectuals; members of the educated elite (often used derogatorily)

inter

bury; N. interment

s cemetery

place for burying the dead

interdict

prohibit; forbid; N.

interim

meantime; Ex. in the interim; ADJ. taking place during an interim; Ex. interim paper

n interloper

intruder; one who interferes

interminable

endless

intermittent

periodic; on and off; stopping and starting at intervals

internecine

mutually destructive

n interpolate

insert between

n interregnum

period between two successive reigns or governments

n interrogate

question closely; cross-examine; cross-question

intervene

come between; interfere; Ex. intervened to prevent a fight; N. intervention

n intimate

hint; suggest; imply; ADJ: marked by close relationship; familiar; private; personal; Ex. intimate knowledge/thoughts in the diary; N: close friend or confidant; CF. intimacy

intimidate

frighten; N. intimidation

intractable

unruly; difficult to manage; Ex. intractable problem/child

intransigence

refusal of any compromise; stubbornness; ADJ. intransigent: uncompromising

intrepid

fearless

intrinsic

essential; inherent; built-in

n introspective

looking within oneself; N. introspection: self-examination

introvert

one who is introspective or inclined to think more about oneself; ADJ. introverted

n intrude

put or force in without being asked; trespass; enter as an uninvited person; Ex. intrude one's own opinion into the report; CF. thrust in