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The quality of being incompressible, or incapable of reduction in volume by pressure; -- formerly supposed to be a property of liquids. The incompressibility of water is not absolute. Rees.

A substance which has the power to thicken; formerly, a medicine supposed to thicken the humors. Harvey.

is assumed to admit of no further division. Method of indivisibles, a kind of calculus, formerly in use, in which lines were considered as made up of an infinite number of points; surfaces, as made up of an infinite number of lines; and volumes, as made up of an infinite number of surfaces.

); to practice a forbidden or questionable act without restraint; -- followed by in, but formerly, also, by to. "Willing to indulge in easy vices." Johnson.

ode, and destroy life or property. -- Infernal stone (lapis infernalis), lunar caustic; formerly so called. The name was also applied to caustic potash.

One who offers an accusation; an informer. See Informer. [Obs. or R.] It was the last evidence of the kind; the informant was hanged. Burke.

at the time of election in a fallen and guilty state; -- opposed to Supralapsarian. The former considered the election of grace as a remedy for an existing evil; the latter regarded the fall as a part of God's original purpose in regard to men.

A suffix formerly used to form diminutives; as, lording, farthing.

on of an inhabitant; residence; occupancy. Ruins yet resting in the wild moors testify a former inhabitance. Carew.

A small bottle of horn or other material formerly used for holding ink; an inkstand; a portable case for writing materials. "With a writer's inkhorn by his side." Ezek. ix. 2. From his pocket the notary drew his papers and inkhorn. Longfellow.

of Chancery; Serjeants' Inns. Inns of chancery (Eng.), colleges in which young students formerly began their law studies, now occupied chiefly by attorneys, solicitors, etc. -- Inns of court (Eng.), the four societies of "students and practicers of the law of England" which in London exercise the exclusive right of a…

especially such a finding under a writ of inquiry. Bouvier. The justices in eyre had it formerly in charge to make inquisition concerning them by a jury of the county. Blackstone.

An order of birds, formerly established to include the perching birds, but now generally regarded as an artificial group.

The act of gaining favor, affection, or influence, by gentle or artful means; -- formerly used in a good sense, as of friendly influence or interposition. Sir H. Wotton. I hope through the insinuation of Lord Scarborough to keep them here till further orders. Lady Cowper.

So; to such a degree; in such wise; -- followed by that or as, and formerly sometimes by both. Cf. Inasmuch. Insomusch as that field is called . . . Aceldama. Acts i. 19. Simonides was an excellent poet, insomuch that he made his fortune by it. L'Estrange.

The first word of ancient charters in England, confirming a grant made by a former king; hence, a royal grant.

One who renews or restores to a former condition. [R.] Dr. H. More.

A performer on a musical instrument; an instrumentalist.

nd closely directed to or bent on an object; sedulous; 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.

The shell of a large Dentalium (D. pretiosum), formerly used as shell money, and for ornaments, by the Indians of the west coast of North America.