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Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary - Contents
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    IMPATIENCE — IMPETUOUSNESS

    IMPATIENCE, n. [L. impatientia, from impatiens; in and patior, to suffer.] Uneasiness under pain or suffering; the not enduring pain with composure; restlessness occasioned by suffering positive evil, or the absence of expected good. Impatience is not rage, nor absolute inability to bear pain; but it implies want of fortitude, or of its exercise. It usually springs from irritability of temper.

    IMPATIENT, a. [L. impatiens.] Uneasy or fretful under suffering; not bearing pain with composure; not enduring evil without fretfulness, uneasiness, and a desire or effort to get rid of the evil. Young men are impatient of restraint. We are all apt to be impatient under wrongs; but it is a christian duty not to be impatient in sickness, or under any afflictive dispensation of Providence.

    1. Not suffering quietly; not enduring.NWAD IMPATIENT.2

    Fame, impatient of extremes, decaysNWAD IMPATIENT.3

    Not more by envy than excess of praise.NWAD IMPATIENT.4

    2. Hasty; eager; not enduring delay. The impatient man will not wait for information; he often acts with precipitance. Be not impatient for the return of spring.NWAD IMPATIENT.5

    3. Not to be borne; as impatient smart.NWAD IMPATIENT.6

    This word is followed by of, at, for, or under. We are impatient of restraint, or of wrongs; impatient at the delay of expected good; impatient for the return of a friend, or for the arrival of the mail; impatient under evils of any kind. The proper use of these particles can be learnt only by practice or observation.NWAD IMPATIENT.7

    IMPATIENT, n. One who is restless under suffering.

    IMPATIENTLY, adv. With uneasiness or restlessness; as, to bear disappointment impatiently.

    1. With eager desire causing uneasiness; as, to wait impatiently for the arrival of one’s friend.NWAD IMPATIENTLY.2

    2. Passionately; ardently.NWAD IMPATIENTLY.3

    IMPATRONIZATION, n. Absolute seignory or possession.

    IMPATRONIZE, v.t. To gain to one’s self the power of any seignory.

    IMPAWN, v.t. [in and pawn.] To pawn; to pledge; to deposit as security.

    IMPEACH, v.t. [L. pango, pactus.]

    1. To hinder; to impede. This sense is found in our early writers.NWAD IMPEACH.2

    These ungracious practices of his sons did impeach his journey to the Holy Land.NWAD IMPEACH.3

    A defluxion on my throat impeached my utterance.NWAD IMPEACH.4

    [This application of the word is obsolete.]NWAD IMPEACH.5

    2. To accuse; to charge with a crime or misdemeanor; but appropriately, to exhibit charges of maladministration against a public officer before a competent tribunal, that is, to send or put on, to load. The word is now restricted to accusations made by authority; as, to impeach a judge. [See Impeachment.]NWAD IMPEACH.6

    3. To accuse; to censure; to call in question; as, to impeach one’s motives or conduct.NWAD IMPEACH.7

    4. To call to account; to charge as answerable.NWAD IMPEACH.8

    IMPEACH, n. Hinderance.

    IMPEACHABLE, a. Liable to accusation; chargeable with a crime; accusable; censurable.

    1. Liable to be called in question; accountable.NWAD IMPEACHABLE.2

    Owners of lands in fee simple are not impeachable for waste.NWAD IMPEACHABLE.3

    IMPEACHED, pp. Hindered.

    1. Accused; charged with a crime, misdemeanor or wrong; censured.NWAD IMPEACHED.2

    The first donee in tail may commit waste, without being impeached.NWAD IMPEACHED.3

    IMPEACHER, n. An accuser by authority; one who calls in question.

    IMPEACHING, ppr. Hindering.

    1. Accusing by authority; calling in question the purity or rectitude of conduct or motives.NWAD IMPEACHING.2

    IMPEACHMENT, n. Hinderance; impediment; stop; obstruction.

    1. An accusation or charge brought against a public officer for maladministration in his office. In Great Britain, it is the privilege or right of the house of commons to impeach, and the right of the house of lords to try and determine impeachments. In the U. States, it is the right of the house of representatives to impeach, and of the senate to try and determine impeachments. In Great Britain, the house of peers, and in the U. States, the senate of the U. States, and the senates in the several states, are the high courts of impeachment.NWAD IMPEACHMENT.2

    2. The act of impeaching.NWAD IMPEACHMENT.3

    3. Censure; accusation; a calling in question the purity of motives or the rectitude of conduct, etc. This declaration is no impeachment of his motives or of his judgment.NWAD IMPEACHMENT.4

    4. The act of calling to account, as for waste.NWAD IMPEACHMENT.5

    5. The state of being liable to account, as for waste.NWAD IMPEACHMENT.6

    IMPEARL, v.t. imperl’. [in and pearl.] To form in the resemblance of pearls.

    --Dew-drops which the sunNWAD IMPEARL.2

    Impearls on every leaf, and every flower.NWAD IMPEARL.3

    1. To decorate with pearls, or with things resembling pearls.NWAD IMPEARL.4

    The dews of the morning impearl every thorn.NWAD IMPEARL.5

    IMPECCABILITY, IMPECCANCY, n. [See Impeccable.] The quality of not being liable to sin; exemption from sin, error or offense.

    IMPECCABLE, a. [L. pecco, to err, to sin.] Not liable to sin; not subject to sin; exempt from the possibility of sinning. No mere man is impeccable.

    IMPEDE, v.t. [L. impedio; supposed to be compounded of in and pedes, feet, to catch or entangle the feet.]

    To hinder; to stop in progress; to obstruct; as, to impede the progress of troops.NWAD IMPEDE.2

    IMPEDED, pp. Hindered; stopped; obstructed.

    IMPEDIMENT, n. [L. impedimentum.] That which hinders progress or motion; hinderance; obstruction; obstacle; applicable to every subject, physical or moral. Bad roads are impediments in marching and travelling. Idleness and dissipation are impediments to improvement. The cares of life are impediments to the progress of vital religion.

    1. That which prevents distinct articulation; as an impediment in speech.NWAD IMPEDIMENT.2

    IMPEDIMENT, v.t. To impede. [Not in use.]

    IMPEDIMENTAL, a. Hindering; obstructing.

    IMPEDING, ppr. Hindering; stopping; obstructing.

    IMPEDITE, v.t. To impede. [Not in use.]

    IMPEDITIVE, a. Causing hinderance.

    IMPEL, v.t. [L. impello; in and pello, to drive.]

    To drive or urge forward; to press on; to excite to action or to move forward, by the application of physical force, or moral suasion or necessity. A ball is impelled by the force of powder; a ship is impelled by wind; a man may be impelled by hunger or a regard to his safety; motives of policy or of safety impel nations to confederate.NWAD IMPEL.2

    The surge impelled me on a craggy coast.NWAD IMPEL.3

    And several men impel to several ends.NWAD IMPEL.4

    IMPELLED, pp. Driven forward; urged on; moved by any force or power, physical or moral.

    IMPELLENT, n. A power or force that drives forward; impulsive power.

    IMPELLER, n. He or that which impels.

    IMPELLING, ppr. Driving forward; urging; pressing.

    IMPEN, v.t. [in and pen.] To pen; to shut or inclose in a narrow place.

    IMPEND, v.i. [L. impendeo; in and pendeo, to hang.]

    1. To hang over; to be suspended above; to threaten. A dark cloud impends over the land.NWAD IMPEND.2

    Destruction sure o’er all your heads impends.NWAD IMPEND.3

    2. To be near; to be approaching and ready to fall on.NWAD IMPEND.4

    It expresses our deep sense of God’s impending wrath.NWAD IMPEND.5

    Nor bear advices of impending foes.NWAD IMPEND.6

    IMPENDENCE, IMPENDENCY, n. The state of hanging over; near approach; a menacing attitude.

    IMPENDENT, a. Hanging over; imminent; threatening; pressing closely; as an impendent evil.

    IMPENDING, ppr. Hanging over; approaching near; threatening.

    IMPENETRABILITY, n. [from impenetrable.]

    1. The quality of being impenetrable.NWAD IMPENETRABILITY.2

    2. In philosophy, that quality of matter which prevents two bodies from occupying the same space at the same time.NWAD IMPENETRABILITY.3

    3. Insusceptibility of intellectual impression.NWAD IMPENETRABILITY.4

    IMPENETRABLE, a. [L. impenetrabilis; in and penetrabilis, from penetro, to penetrate.]

    1. That cannot be penetrated or pierced; not admitting the passage of other bodies; as an impenetrable shield.NWAD IMPENETRABLE.2

    2. Not to be affected or moved; not admitting impressions on the mind. The hardened sinner remains impenetrable to the admonitions of the gospel.NWAD IMPENETRABLE.3

    3. Not to be entered by the sight; as impenetrable darkness. Hence,NWAD IMPENETRABLE.4

    4. Not to be entered and viewed by the eye of the intellect; as impenetrable obscurity or abstruseness.NWAD IMPENETRABLE.5

    IMPENETRABLENESS, n. Impenetrability, which see.

    IMPENETRABLY, adv. With solidity that admits not of being penetrated.

    1. With hardness that admits not of impression; as impenetrably dull.NWAD IMPENETRABLY.2

    IMPENITENCE, IMPENITENCY, n. [L. in and poenitens, from poeniteo, to repent, poena, pain.] Want of penitence or repentance; absence of contrition or sorrow for sin; obduracy; hardness of heart. Final impenitence dooms the sinner to inevitable punishment.

    He will advance from one degree of impenitence to another.NWAD IMPENITENCE.2

    IMPENITENT, a. Not penitent; not repenting of sin; not contrite; obdurate; of a hard heart.

    They died Impenitent.NWAD IMPENITENT.2

    IMPENITENT, n. One who does not repent; a hardened sinner.

    IMPENITENTLY, adv. Without repentance or contrition for sin; obdurately.

    IMPENNOUS, a. [in and pennous.] Wanting wings.

    IMPEOPLE, v.t. To form into a community. [See People.]

    IMPERATE, a. [L. imperatus, impero, to command.]

    Done by impulse or direction of the mind. [Not used.]NWAD IMPERATE.2

    IMPERATIVE, a. [L. imperativus, from impero, to command. See Empire.]

    1. Commanding; expressive of command; containing positive command, as distinguished from advisory, or discretionary. The orders are imperative.NWAD IMPERATIVE.2

    2. In grammar, the imperative mode of a verb is that which expresses command, entreaty, advice or exhortation; as, go, write, attend.NWAD IMPERATIVE.3

    IMPERATIVELY, adv. With command; authoritatively.

    IMPERATORIAL, a. Commanding. [Not in use.]

    IMPERCEPTIBLE, a.

    1. Not to be perceived; not to be known or discovered by the senses. We say a thing is imperceptible to the touch, to the eye or sight, to the ear, to the taste or smell. Hence,NWAD IMPERCEPTIBLE.2

    2. Very small; fine; minute in dimensions; or very slow in motion or progress; as, the growth of a plant or animal is imperceptible; it is too slow to be perceived by the eye.NWAD IMPERCEPTIBLE.3

    IMPERCEPTIBLE, n. That which cannot be perceived by the senses on account of its smallness. [Little used.]

    IMPERCEPTIBLENESS, n. The quality of being imperceptible.

    IMPERCEPTIBLY, adv. In a manner not to be perceived.

    IMPERCIPIENT, a. Not perceiving or having power to perceive.

    IMPERDIBLE, a. Not destructible. [Not a legitimate word.]

    IMPERFECT, a. [L. imperfectus; in and perfectus, finished, perfect; perficio, to perfect; per and facio, to make.]

    1. Not finished; not complete. The work or design is imperfect.NWAD IMPERFECT.2

    2. Defective; not entire, sound or whole; wanting a part; impaired. The writings of Livy are imperfect.NWAD IMPERFECT.3

    3. Not perfect in intellect; liable to err; as, men are imperfect; our minds and understandings are imperfect.NWAD IMPERFECT.4

    4. Not perfect in a moral view; not according to the laws of God, or the rules of right. Our services and obedience are imperfect.NWAD IMPERFECT.5

    5. In grammar, the imperfect tense denotes an action in time past, then present, but not finished.NWAD IMPERFECT.6

    6. In music, incomplete; not having all the accessary sounds; as an imperfect chord.NWAD IMPERFECT.7

    An imperfect interval is one which does not contain its complement of simple sounds.NWAD IMPERFECT.8

    IMPERFECTION, n. [L. imperfectio, supra.]

    Defect; fault; the want of a part or of something necessary to complete a thing; equally applicable to physical or moral subjects. When fruit fails to come to maturity, and after it begins to decay, we denominate the defect, an imperfection. Laws sometimes fail of the intended effect, either from their imperfection, or from the imperfection of the administration. Men are all chargeable with imperfections, both in character and in conduct.NWAD IMPERFECTION.2

    IMPERFECTLY, adv. In an imperfect manner or degree; not fully; not entirely; not completely; not in the best manner; not without fault or failure.

    IMPERFECTNESS, n. The state of being imperfect.

    IMPERFORBLE, a. [infra.] That cannot be perforated or bored through.

    IMPERFORATE, a. [L. in and perforatus, perforo.]

    Not perforated or pierced; having no opening.NWAD IMPERFORATE.2

    IMPERFORATED, a. Not perforated.

    1. Having no pores.NWAD IMPERFORATED.2

    IMPERFORATION, n. The state of being not perforated, or without any aperture.

    IMPERIAL, a. [L. imperialis, from impero, to command. See Emperor.]

    1. Pertaining to an empire, or to an emperor; as an imperial government; an imperial diadem; imperial authority or edict; imperial power or sway.NWAD IMPERIAL.2

    2. Royal; belonging to a monarch; as an imperial palace; imperial arts.NWAD IMPERIAL.3

    3. Pertaining to royalty; denoting sovereignty.NWAD IMPERIAL.4

    4. Commanding; maintaining supremacy; as the imperial democracy of Athens.NWAD IMPERIAL.5

    Imperial chamber, the sovereign court of the German empire.NWAD IMPERIAL.6

    Imperial city, a city in Germany which has no head but the emperor.NWAD IMPERIAL.7

    Imperial diet, an assembly of all the states of the German empire.NWAD IMPERIAL.8

    IMPERIALIST, n. One who belongs to an emperor; a subject or soldier of an emperor. The denomination, imperialists, is often given to the troops or armies of the emperor of Austria.

    IMPERIALITY, n. Imperial power.

    1. The right of an emperor to a share of the produce of mines, etc.NWAD IMPERIALITY.2

    The late empress having by ukases of grace, relinquished her imperialities on the private mines, viz. the tenths of the copper, iron, silver and gold--NWAD IMPERIALITY.3

    IMPERIALLY, adv. In a royal manner.

    IMPERIL, v.t. [in and peril.] To bring into danger.

    IMPERIOUS, a. [L. imperiosus.]

    1. Commanding; dictatorial; haughty; arrogant; overbearing; domineering; as an imperious tyrant; an imperious dictator; an imperious man; an imperious temper.NWAD IMPERIOUS.2

    2. Commanding; indicating an imperious temper; authoritative; as imperious words.NWAD IMPERIOUS.3

    3. Powerful; overbearing; not to be opposed by obstacles; as a man of a vast and imperious mind.NWAD IMPERIOUS.4

    4. Commanding; urgent; pressing; as imperious love; imperious circumstances; imperious appetite.NWAD IMPERIOUS.5

    5. Authoritative; commanding with rightful authority.NWAD IMPERIOUS.6

    The commandment high and imperious in its claims.NWAD IMPERIOUS.7

    IMPERIOUSLY, adv. With arrogance of command; with a haughty air of authority; in a domineering manner.

    1. With urgency or force not to be opposed.NWAD IMPERIOUSLY.2

    IMPERIOUSNESS, n. Authority; air of command.

    1. Arrogance of command; haughtiness.NWAD IMPERIOUSNESS.2

    Imperiousness and severity is an ill way of treating men who have reason to guide them.NWAD IMPERIOUSNESS.3

    IMPERISHABLE, a. Not subject to decay; not liable to perish; indestructible; enduring permanently; as an imperishable monument; imperishable renown.

    Elegant discourses on virtue--will not supply the consolations of imperishable hope.NWAD IMPERISHABLE.2

    IMPERISHABLENESS, n. The quality of being imperishable.

    IMPERMANENCE, n. Want of permanence or continued duration.

    IMPERMANENT, a. [in and permanent.] Not permanent; not enduring.

    IMPERMEABILITY, n. The quality of being impermeable by a fluid.

    IMPERMEABLE, a. [L. in and permeo; per and meo, to pass.]

    Not to be passed through the pores by a fluid; as impermeable leather.NWAD IMPERMEABLE.2

    IMPERSONAL, a. [L. impersonalis; in and personalis, from persona. See Person.]

    In grammar, an impersonal verb is one which is not employed with the first and second persons, I and thou or you, we and ye, for nominatives, and which has no variation of ending to express them, but is used only with the termination of the third person singular, with it for a nominative in English, and without a nominative in Latin; as, it rains, it becomes us to be modest; L. toedet; libet; pugnatur.NWAD IMPERSONAL.2

    IMPERSONALITY, n. Indistinction of personality.

    IMPERSONALLY, adv. In the manner of an impersonal verb.

    IMPERSONATE, v.t. To personify.

    IMPERSONATED, a. Made persons of. [See Personate.]

    IMPERSPICUITY, n. Want of perspicuity, or clearness to the mind.

    IMPERSPICUOUS, a. [in and perspicuous.]

    Not perspicuous; not clear; obscure.NWAD IMPERSPICUOUS.2

    IMPERSUASIBLE, a. [L. in and persuasibilis. See Persuade.]

    Not to be moved by persuasion; not yielding to arguments.NWAD IMPERSUASIBLE.2

    IMPERTINENCE, IMPERTINENCY, n. [L. impertinens; in and pertinens, pertineo, to pertain; per and teneo, to hold.]

    1. That which is not pertinent; that which does not belong to the subject in hand; that which is of no weight.NWAD IMPERTINENCE.2

    2. The state of not being pertinent.NWAD IMPERTINENCE.3

    3. Folly; rambling thought. [Little used.]NWAD IMPERTINENCE.4

    4. Rudeness; improper intrusion; interference by word or conduct which is not consistent with the age or station of the person. [This is the most usual sense.]NWAD IMPERTINENCE.5

    We should avoid the vexation and impertinence of pedants.NWAD IMPERTINENCE.6

    5. A trifle, a thing of little or no value.NWAD IMPERTINENCE.7

    There are many subtile impertinencies learnt in schools-NWAD IMPERTINENCE.8

    IMPERTINENT, a. [L. impertinens, supra.]

    1. Not pertaining to the matter in hand; of no weight; having no bearing on the subject; as an impertinent remark.NWAD IMPERTINENT.2

    2. Rude; intrusive; meddling with that which does not belong to the person; as an impertinent coxcomb.NWAD IMPERTINENT.3

    3. Trifling; foolish; negligent of the present purpose.NWAD IMPERTINENT.4

    IMPERTINENT, n. An intruder; a meddler; one who interferes in what does not belong to him.

    IMPERTINENTLY, adv. Without relation to the matter in hand.

    1. Officiously; intrusively; rudely.NWAD IMPERTINENTLY.2

    IMPERTRANSIBILITY, n. The quality of not being capable of being passed through.

    IMPERTRANSIBLE, a. [L. in and pertranseo; per and transeo, to pass over or through; trans and eo, to go.]

    Not to be passed through. [Little used.]NWAD IMPERTRANSIBLE.2

    IMPERTURBABLE, a. [L. in and perturbo, to disturb; per and turbo.]

    That cannot be disturbed or agitated; permanently quiet.NWAD IMPERTURBABLE.2

    IMPERTURBATION, n. Freedom from agitation of mind; calmness.

    IMPERTURBED, a. Undisturbed. [Not in use.]

    IMPERVIOUS, a. [L. impervius; in and pervius, passable; per and via, way.]

    1. Not to be penetrated or passed through; impenetrable; as an impervious gulf; an impervious forest.NWAD IMPERVIOUS.2

    2. Not penetrable; not to be pierced by a pointed instrument; as an impervious shield.NWAD IMPERVIOUS.3

    3. Not penetrable by light; not permeable to fluids. Glass is pervious to light, but impervious to water. Paper is impervious to light. In the latter sense only, impervious is synonymous with impermeable.NWAD IMPERVIOUS.4

    IMPERVIOSLY, adv. In a manner to prevent passage or penetration.

    IMPERVIOUSNESS, n. The state of not admitting a passage.

    IMPETIGINOUS, a. [L. impetigo, a ringworm.]

    Resembling the ring-worm or tetters; covered with scaled or scabs; scurfy.NWAD IMPETIGINOUS.2

    IMPETRABLE, a. [See Impetrate.] That may be obtained by petition.

    IMPETRATE, v.t. [L. impetro.] To obtain by request or entreaty.

    IMPETRATION, n. The act of obtaining by prayer or petition.

    1. In law, the preobtaining of benefices from the church of Rome, which belonged to the disposal of the king and other lay patrons of the realm.NWAD IMPETRATION.2

    IMPETRATIVE, a. Obtaining; tending to obtain by entreaty.

    IMPETRATORY, a. Beseeching; containing entreaty.

    IMPETUOSITY, n. [See Impetuous.] A rushing with violence and great force; fury; violence.

    1. Vehemence; furiousness of temper.NWAD IMPETUOSITY.2

    IMPETUOUS, a. [L. impetuosus, from impetus, impeto; in and peto, to urge, to rush. See Bid.]

    1. Rushing with great force and violence; moving rapidly; furious; forcible; fierce; raging; as an impetuous wind; an impetuous torrent.NWAD IMPETUOUS.2

    2. Vehement of mind; fierce; hasty; passionate; violent; as a man of impetuous temper.NWAD IMPETUOUS.3

    IMPETUOUSLY, adv. Violently; fiercely; forcibly; with haste and force.

    IMPETUOUSNESS, n. A driving or rushing with haste and violence; furiousness; fury; violence.

    1. Vehemence of temper; violence.NWAD IMPETUOUSNESS.2

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