Search the Dictionary

Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



1,147 words match “PURPOSE”

IMMOVABLE a.
teadfast; fixed; unalterable; unchangeable; -- used of the mind or will; as, an immovable purpose, or a man who remain immovable.
IMPALEMENT n.
The division of a shield palewise, or by a vertical line, esp. for the purpose of putting side by side the arms of husband and wife. See Impale, 3.
IMPLANT v.
To plant, or infix, for the purpose of growth; to fix deeply; to instill; to inculate; to introduce; as, to implant the seeds of virtue, or the principles of knowledge, in the minds of youth. Minds well implanted with solid . . . breeding. Milton.
IMPOSTOR n.
e who imposes upon others; a person who assumes a character or title not his own, for the purpose of deception; a pretender. "The fraudulent impostor foul." Milton.
IMPROBATION n.
The act by which falsehood and forgery are proved; an action brought for the purpose of having some instrument declared false or forged. Bell.
IMPROVE v.
To use or employ to good purpose; to make productive; to turn to profitable account; to utilize; as, to improve one's time; to improve his means. Shak. We shall especially honor God by improving diligently the talents which God hath committed to us. Barrow. A hint that I do not remember to have seen opened and improved…
INADEQUATE a.
Not adequate; unequal to the purpose; insufficient; deficient; as, inadequate resources, power, conceptions, representations, etc. Dryden. -- In*ad"e*quate*ly, adv. -- In*ad"e*quate*ness, n.
INANE a.
Without contents; empty; void of sense or intelligence; purposeless; pointless; characterless; useless. "Vague and inane instincts." I. Taylor. -- In*ane"ly, adv.
INCANTATION n.
The act or process of using formulas sung or spoken, with occult ceremonies, for the purpose of raising spirits, producing enchantment, or affecting other magical results; enchantment. "Mysterious ceremony and incantation." Burke.
INCAPABLE a.
Wanting in ability or qualification for the purpose or end in view; not large enough to contain or hold; deficient in physical strength, mental or moral power, etc.; not capable; as, incapable of holding a certain quantity of liquid; incapable of endurance, of comprehension, of perseverance, of reform, etc.…
INCENSE n.
The materials used for the purpose of producing a perfume when burned, as fragrant gums, spices, frankincense, etc. Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon. Lev. x. 1.
INCLUDE v.
invitation to the family; to and including page twenty-five. The whole included race, his purposed prey. Milton. The loss of such a lord includes all harm. Shak.
INCONSTANT a.
t stable or uniform; subject to change of character, appearance, opinion, inclination, or purpose, etc.; not firm; unsteady; fickle; changeable; variable; -- said of persons or things; as, inconstant in love or friendship. "The inconstant moon." Shak. While we, inquiring phantoms of a day, Inconstant as the shadows we…
INCUBATE v.
To sit, as on eggs for hatching; to brood; to brood upon, or keep warm, as eggs, for the purpose of hatching.
INCUBATION n. 2 definitions
A sitting on eggs for the purpose of hatching young; a brooding on, or keeping warm, (eggs) to develop the life within, by any process. Ray.
INDECISION n.
Want of decision; want of settled purpose, or of firmness; indetermination; wavering of mind; irresolution; vacillation; hesitation. The term indecision . . . implies an idea very nicely different from irresolution; yet it has a tendency to produce it. Shenstone. Indecision . . . is the natural accomplice of violence.…
INDIRECT a.
Not tending to an aim, purpose, or result by the plainest course, or by obvious means, but obliquely or consequentially; by remote means; as, an indirect accusation, attack, answer, or proposal. By what bypaths and indirect, crooked ways I met this crown. Shak.
INDORSE v.
To write one's name, alone or with other words, upon the back of (a paper), for the purpose of transferring it, or to secure the payment of a
INDUCTION GENERATOR n.
ent becomes zero and changes sign, so that above synchronism the machine (driven for this purpose by mechanical power) gives out electrical energy as a generator.
INEQUALITY n.
Disproportion to any office or purpose; inadequacy; competency; as, the inequality of terrestrial things to the wants of a rational soul. South.
← Previous Page 27 of 58 Next →