Vocabulary Study: Words Beginning with 'I'

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering vocabulary terms starting with the letter 'I', including their parts of speech, definitions, pronunciations, and illustrative examples.

What does the noun 'idleness' mean?

Reluctance to work or move around much.

How is the adjective 'idolatrous' defined?

Blindly or excessively devoted or adoring; worshipping someone or something that is an idol or God substitute.

What is the definition of the verb 'imbibe'?

To drink.

What does the verb 'imbue' mean?

To fill or give the capacity to do something.

How is the adjective 'immutable' defined?

Not subject or susceptible to change or variation in form or quality or nature.

What does the adjective 'impalpable' mean?

Difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze.

What is the meaning of the adjective 'imperious'?

Having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy, as if one were an emperor.

What does the verb 'implicate' mean?

To involve someone in a crime, to connect them to misbehaviour.

How is the noun 'improvisation' defined?

The on-the-spot making up of something, as in lines in a play.

What is an 'incantation', and what is the French origin of the word?

A ritual recitation of words or sounds believed to have a magical effect, from the French word meaning 'to sing.'

What does the noun 'inception' mean?

Beginning; when a thing starts.

What is the definition of the adjective 'inconceivable'?

Beyond one's ability to conceive or think could possibly be true.

How is the adjective 'incontrovertible' defined?

Something no one can argue against, disbelieve or disagree about.

What does the verb 'incriminate' mean?

To indicate that one is a criminal; often used to describe the effect of evidence of criminal involvement.

What is the definition and linguistic root of 'indefatigable'?

Showing sustained, enthusiastic action, derived from the French word for 'tired.'

How is the noun 'indignation' defined?

Dignified anger, particularly when one feels one has a legitimate grievance.

What does the adjective 'indissoluble' mean?

Incapable of being annulled, undone, dissolved or broken.

What does the noun 'indoctrination' mean?

Training or teaching people to accept a certain point of view and reject all others.

How is the adjective 'infallible' defined?

Incapable of failing, making mistakes, or being wrong.

What is the definition of the adjective 'innumerable'?

Unable to be numbered or counted.

What is an 'inquisitor'?

A person who interrogates someone, often using torture.

How is the adjective 'inscrutable' defined and typically applied?

Impossible or difficult to analyze or interpret, generally used to describe blank faces.

What does the adjective 'insidious' mean?

Sneakily dangerous and underhanded; harmful very gradually.

What is the definition of 'insipid'?

Dull, boring, tasteless.

How is the noun 'interdependence' defined?

Healthy reliance on others.

What is the definition of 'internment' given in the notes?

The ritual placing of a corpse in a grave.

What does the adjective 'interminable' mean?

Never ending, not terminating.

How is the adjective 'intermittent' defined?

Inconsistent, as in an electrical problem which comes and goes.

What does the verb 'interpose' mean?

To stand or to place a thing between other persons or things so as to come between or separate them.

What is the definition of the verb 'intimidate'?

To frighten or make timid.

What does the term 'intonation' refer to?

The rise and fall of the voice's tones or pitch.

How is the noun 'intricacy' defined?

The quality of being marked by elaborate, complex detail.

What is the definition of the adjective 'intricate'?

Complicated.

How is the adjective form of 'invalid' pronounced and defined?

Pronounced 'in-VAL-lid'; means not acceptable.

How is the noun form of 'invalid' pronounced and defined?

Pronounced 'IN-val-lid'; means a sick person.

What does the adverb 'invariably' mean?

To do, reliably and without variation.

What are the two definitions of 'iota' given in the notes?

The ninth letter of the Greek alphabet, and a small bit or small degree.

How is 'irony' defined, and what example is given to distinguish it from sarcasm?

The state of something seeming odd (or inappropriate) when considered, as in the case of a Superman actor dying from a gunshot wound; it is distinct from sarcasm.

What does the adjective 'irreconcilable' mean?

Unable to be fixed or reconciled, as in the case of a problem or people not getting along.

How is the adjective 'irrepressible' defined, and what examples are provided?

Impossible to quiet or repress, as in the case of a child or a fart.

What is the definition of the adjective 'irrevocable'?

Impossible to undo or revoke.

How is 'ivy league' defined when used as an adjective?

A term used to describe American colleges so old there has been time for vegetation to grow up their walls.