Search the Dictionary

Want of dexterity or readiness, especially in the use of the hands; clumsiness; awkwardness. Harvey.

or prejudice; impartial; unbiased; disinterested. In choice of committees for ripening business for the counsel, it is better indifferent persons than to make an indifferency by putting in those that are strong on both sides. Bacon. Indifferent tissue (Anat.), the primitive, embryonic, undifferentiated tissue, before…

of pliancy or feeling. A certain induration of character had arisen from long habits of business. Coleridge.

eadily and perseveringly active in a particular pursuit or aim; as, he was negligent in business, but industrious in pleasure; an industrious mischief maker. Industrious to seek out the truth of all things. Spenser. -- In*dus"tri*ous*ly, adv. -- In*dus"tri*ous*ness, n.

al diligence in any employment or pursuit, either bodily or mental; steady attention to business; assiduity; -- opposed to sloth and idleness; as, industry pays debts, while idleness or despair will increase them. We are more industrious than our forefathers, because in the present times the funds destined for the main…

; to tell; to notify; to enlighten; -- usually followed by of. For he would learn their business secretly, And then inform his master hastily. Spenser. I am informed thoroughky of the cause. Shak.

The act or business of gathering or collecting anything; especially, the gathering of the fruits of the earth; harvest. Thou shalt keep . . . the feast of ingathering. Ex. xxii. 16.

g, or the process of being initiated or introduced; as, initiation into a society, into business, literature, etc. "The initiation of coursers of events." Pope.

Giving no offense, or provocation; causing no uneasiness, annoyance, or disturbance; as, an inoffensive man, answer, appearance.

aving official sanction or authoriy; not according to the forms or ceremony of official business; as, inofficial intelligence. Pinckney and Marshall would not make inofficial visits to discuss official business. Pickering.

Disturbed state; uneasiness either of body or mind; restlessness; disquietude. Sir H. Wotton.

ne who is unable to pay his debts as they fall due, or in the usual course of trade and business; as, a merchant's insolvency.

debts; unable to pay one's debts as they fall due, in the ordinary course of trade and business; as, in insolvent debtor.

to promote; conductive; helpful; serviceable; as, he was instrumental in conducting the business. The head is not more native to the heart, The hand more instrumental to the mouth. Shak.

r or agent who effects insurance. -- Insurance company, a company or corporation whose business it is to insure against loss, damage, or death. -- Insurance policy, a certificate of insurance; the document containing the contract made by an insurance company with a person whose property or life is insured. -- Life i…

One who has the charge, direction, or management of some public business; a superintendent; as, an intendant of marine; an intendant of finance.

ous; eager in pursuit of an object; -- formerly with to, but now with on; as, intent on business or pleasure. "Intent on mischief." Milton. Be intent and solicitous to take up the meaning of the speaker. I. Watts.

ty of being intent; close application; attention. Extreme solicitude or intentness upon business. South.

The persons interested in any particular business or measure, taken collectively; as, the iron interest; the cotton interest. Compound interest, interest, not only on the original principal, but also on unpaid interest from the time it fell due. -- Simple interest, interest on the principal sum without interest on ove…

of a machine by the interference of some of its parts; a meddlesome interference in the business of others.