Search the Dictionary

destroying the eggs and young of the crocodile as well as various snakes and lizards, and hence was considered sacred by the ancient Egyptians. The common species of India (H. griseus), known as the mongoose, has similar habits and is often domesticated. It is noted for killing the cobra.

ness of mind. Shak. This representation or likeness of the object being transmitted from thence [the senses] to the imagination, and lodged there for the view and observation of the pure intellect, is aptly and properly called its idea. P. Browne.

Hence: To refuse to take notice of; to shut the eyes to; not to recognize; to disregard willfully and causelessly; as, to ignore certain facts; to ignore the presence of an objectionable person. Ignoring Italy under our feet, And seeing things before, behind. Mrs. Browning.

thorized by, law; specif., contrary to, or in violation of, human law; unlawful; illicit; hence, immoral; as, an illegal act; illegal trade; illegal love. Bp. Burnet.

Hence: Anything agreeably fascinating and charning; enchantment; witchery; glamour. Ye soft illusions, dear deceits, arise! Pope.

Hence: The likeness of anything to which worship is paid; an idol. Chaucer. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, . . . thou shalt not bow down thyself to them. Ex. xx. 4, 5.

To make bitter; hence, to make distressing or more distressing; to make sad, morose, sour, or malignant. Is there anything that more imbitters the enjoyment of this life than shame South. Imbittered against each other by former contests. Bancroft.

An overlapping of the edges, like that of tiles or shingles; hence, intricacy of structure; also, a pattern or decoration representing such a structure.

The act of imbuing; the state of being imbued; hence, a deep tincture.

pecif., a compound of one or more acid radicals with the imido group, or with a monamine; hence, also, a derivative of ammonia, in which two atoms of hydrogen have been replaced by divalent basic or acid radicals; -- frequently used as a combining form; as, succinimide.

To manacle; to fetter; hence; to confine; to restrain from free action. Although this corporal rind Thou hast immanacled. Milton.

Remaining within; inherent; indwelling; abiding; intrinsic; internal or subjective; hence, limited in activity, agency, or effect, to the subject or associated acts; -- opposed to emanant, transitory, transitive, or objective. A cognition is an immanent act of mind. Sir W. Hamilton. An immanent power in the life of the…

To inclose whithin walls, or as within walls; hence, to shut up; to imprison; to incarcerate. Those tender babes Whom envy hath immured within your walls. Shak. This huge convex of fire, Outrageous to devour, immures us round. Milton.

To graft with new feathers, as a wing; to splice a broken feather. Hence, Fig.: To repair; to extend; to increase; to strengthen to equip. [Archaic] Imp out our drooping country's broken wing. Shak. Who lazily imp their wings with other men's plumes. Fuller. Here no frail Muse shall imp her crippled wing. Holmes. Help,…

To join, as two coats of arms on one shield, palewise; hence, to join in honorable mention. Ordered the admission of St. Patrick to the same to be matched and impaled with the blessed Virgin in the honor thereof. Fuller.

To inclose for a park; to sever from a common; hence, to inclose or shut up. They . . . impark them [the sheep] within hurdles. Holland.

Hence, the delay or continuance of a suit.

Hence, to charge with impropriety; to dishonor; to bring discredit on; to call in question; as, to impeach one's motives or conduct. And doth impeach the freedom of the state. Shak.

To institute and prosecute a suit against, in court; to sue or prosecute at law; hence, to accuse; to impeach.

Troublesome; vexatious; persistent; urgent; hence, vexatious on account of untimely urgency or perinacious solicitation. [Obs.] And their importune fates all satisfied. Spenser. Of all other affections it [envy] is the most importune and continual. Bacon.