I - Iceman

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I (ī). 1. I, the ninth letter of the English alphabet, takes its form from the Phœnician, through the Latin and the Greek. The Phœnician letter was probably of Egyptian origin. Its original value was nearly the same as that of the Italian I, or long e as in mete. Etymologically I is most closely related to e, y, j, g; as in dint, dent, beverage, L. bibere; E. kin, AS. cynn; E. thin, AS. þynne; E. dominion, donjon, dungeon. In English I has two principal vowel sounds: the long sound, as in pīne, īce; and the short sound, as in pĭn. It has also three other sounds: (a) That of e in term, as in thirst. (b) That of e in mete (in words of foreign origin), as in machine, pique, regime. (c) That of consonant y (in many words in which it precedes another vowel), as in bunion, million, filial, Christian, etc. It enters into several digraphs, as in fail, field, seize, feign. friend; and with o often forms a proper diphtong, as in oil, join, coin.

See Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 98-106.
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The dot which we place over the small or lower case i dates only from the 14th century. The sounds of I and J were originally represented by the same character, and even after the introduction of the form J into English dictionaries, words containing these letters were, till a comparatively recent time, classed together.
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2. In our old authors, I was often used for ay (or aye), yes, which is pronounced nearly like it.
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3. As a numeral, I stands for 1, II for 2, etc.
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I- (?), prefix. See .
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I (ī), pron. [poss. (mī) or (mīn); object. (mē). pl. nom. We (wē); poss. Our (our) or Ours (ourz); object. Us (ŭs).] [OE. i, ich, ic, AS. ic; akin to OS. & D. ik, OHG. ih, G. ich, Icel. ek, Dan. jeg, Sw. jag, Goth. ik, OSlav. az', Russ. ia, W. i, L. ego, Gr. 'egw, 'egwn, Skr. aham. √179. Cf. .] The nominative case of the pronoun of the first person; the word with which a speaker or writer denotes himself.
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IAA n. Indoleacetic acid, a plant hormone promoting elongation of stems and roots. [Acronym]
Syn. -- indoleacetic acid.
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Iamatology (?), n. [Gr. �, �, medicine + -logy.] (Med.) Materia Medica; that branch of therapeutics which treats of remedies.
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Iamb (?), n. [Cf. F. iambe. See .] An iambus or iambic. [R.]
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Iambic (?), a. [L. iambicus, Gr. �: cf. F. iambique.] 1. (Pros.) Consisting of a short syllable followed by a long one, or of an unaccented syllable followed by an accented; as, an iambic foot.
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2. Pertaining to, or composed of, iambics; as, an iambic verse; iambic meter. See .
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Iambic, n. 1. (Pros.) (a) An iambic foot; an iambus. (b) A verse composed of iambic feet.
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☞ The following couplet consists of iambic verses.
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2. A satirical poem (such poems having been anciently written in iambic verse); a satire; a lampoon.
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Iambical (?), a. Iambic. [Obs. or R.]
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Iambically, adv. In a iambic manner; after the manner of iambics.
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Iambize (?), v. t. [Gr. �.] To satirize in iambics; to lampoon. [R.]
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Iambus (?), n.; pl. L. Iambi (#), E. Iambuses (#). [L. iambus, Gr. �; prob. akin to � to throw, assail (the iambus being first used in satiric poetry), and to L. jacere to throw. Cf. a shooting forth.] (Pros.) A foot consisting of a short syllable followed by a long one, as in ămāns, or of an unaccented syllable followed by an accented one, as invent; an iambic. See the Couplet under , n.
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Ianthina (?), n.; pl. L. Ianthinæ (#), E. Ianthinas (#). [NL., fr. L. ianthinus violet-blue, Gr. �; � violet + � flower.] (Zoöl.) Any gastropod of the genus Ianthina, of which various species are found living in mid ocean; -- called also purple shell, and violet snail. [Written also janthina.]
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☞ It floats at the surface by means of a raft, which it constructs by forming and uniting together air bubbles of hardened mucus. The Tyrian purple of the ancients was obtained in part from mollusks of this genus.
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Iatraliptic (?), a. [Gr. �; � physician + � belonging to the � or anointer, fr. � to anoint: cf. F. iatraliptique.] Treating diseases by anointing and friction; as, the iatraliptic method. [Written also iatroleptic.]

{ Iatric (?), Iatrical (?), } a. [Gr. � healing, fr. � physician, fr. � to heal.] Of or pertaining to medicine, or to medical men.
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Iatrochemical (?), a. Of or pertaining to iatrochemistry, or to the iatrochemists.
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Iatrochemist (?), n. [Gr. � physician + E. chemist.] A physician who explained or treated diseases upon chemical principles; one who practiced iatrochemistry.
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Iatrochemistry (?), n. Chemistry applied to, or used in, medicine; -- used especially with reference to the doctrines in the school of physicians in Flanders, in the 17th century, who held that health depends upon the proper chemical relations of the fluids of the body, and who endeavored to explain the conditions of health or disease by chemical principles.
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Iatromathematical (?), a. Of or pertaining to iatromathematicians or their doctrine.
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Iatromathematician (?), n. [Gr. � physician + E. mathematician.] (Hist. Med.) One of a school of physicians in Italy, about the middle of the 17th century, who tried to apply the laws of mechanics and mathematics to the human body, and hence were eager student of anatomy; -- opposed to the iatrochemists.
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Iberian (?), a. Of or pertaining to Iberia.
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Iberis n. A genus of Old World herbs and subshrubs including the candytuft.
Syn. -- genus Iberis.
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Ibero-mesornis n. A sparrow-sized fossil bird of the Lower Cretaceous having a strutlike pectoral bone and vestigial tail; found in Spain; considered possibly the third most primitive of all birds.
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Ibex (ībĕks), n.; pl. E. Ibexes (ībĕksĕz), L. Ibices (ībĭsēz). [L., a kind of goat, the chamois.] (Zoöl.) One of several species of wild goats having very large, recurved horns, transversely ridged in front; -- called also steinbok.
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☞ The Alpine ibex (Capra ibex) is the best known. The Spanish, or Pyrenean, ibex (Capra Hispanica) has smoother and more spreading horns.
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Ibidem (?), adv. [L.] In the same place; -- abbreviated ibid. or ib.
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Ibis (?), n. [L. ibis, Gr. �; of Egyptian origin.] (Zoöl.) Any bird of the genus Ibis and several allied genera, of the family Ibidæ, inhabiting both the Old World and the New. Numerous species are known. They are large, wading birds, having a long, curved beak, and feed largely on reptiles.
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☞ The sacred ibis of the ancient Egyptians (Ibis Æthiopica) has the head and neck black, without feathers. The plumage of the body and wings is white, except the tertiaries, which are lengthened and form a dark purple plume. In ancient times this bird was extensively domesticated in Egypt, but it is now seldom seen so far north. The glossy ibis (Plegadis autumnalis), which is widely distributed both in the Old World and the New, has the head and neck feathered, except between the eyes and bill; the scarlet ibis (Guara rubra) and the white ibis (Guara alba) inhabit the West Indies and South America, and are rarely found in the United States. The wood ibis (Tantalus loculator) of America belongs to the Stork family (Ciconidæ). See .
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-ible (?). See .
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IBRD prop. n. [acronym] The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, a United Nations agency created to assist developing nations by loans guaranteed by member governments. [acronym]
Syn. -- International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, World Bank.
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Ibsen prop. n. Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906), Norwegian poet and dramatist.
Syn. -- Henrik Ibsen.
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Ibsenian prop. adj. of or pertaining to Henrik Ibsen.
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Ibsenism (?), prop. n. The dramatic practice or purpose characteristic of the writings of Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906), Norwegian poet and dramatist, whose best-known plays deal with conventional hypocrisies, the story in each play thus developing a definite moral problem.
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ibuprofen n. a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine used to relieve the pain of arthritis and as an analgesic and antipyretic; Advil and Motrin and Nuprin are trademarks of brands of ibuprofen tablets.
Syn. -- isobutylphenyl propionic acid, Advil, Motrin, Nuprin.
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-ic (?). [L. -icus, Gr. �: cf. F. -ique.] 1. A suffix signifying, in general, relating to, or characteristic of; as, historic, hygienic, telegraphic, etc.
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2. (Chem.) A suffix, denoting that the element indicated enters into certain compounds with its highest valence, or with a valence relatively higher than in compounds where the name of the element ends in -ous; as, ferric, sulphuric. It is also used in the general sense of pertaining to; as, hydric, sodic, calcic.
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icaco n. 1. A small tropical American tree (Chrysobalanus icaco) bearing edible plumlike fruit.
Syn. -- coco plum, coco plum tree, cocoa plum, Chrysobalanus icaco.
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2. A plum-shaped whitish to almost black fruit used for preserves.
Syn. -- cocoa plum, coco plum.
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Icarian (?), a. [L. Icarius, Gr. �, fr. �, the mythic son of Dædalus, who, when flying from Crete on wings cemented with wax, mounted so high that the sun melted the wax, and he fell into the sea.] Soaring too high for safety, like Icarus; adventurous in flight.
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ICBM n. [acronym intercontinental ballistic missile] An intercontinental ballistic missile, a long-range ballistic missile that is capable of traveling from one continent to another. Contrasted with IRBM.
Syn. -- intercontinental ballistic missile.
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Ice (īs), n. [OE. is, iis, AS. īs; aksin to D. ijs, G. eis, OHG. īs, Icel. īss, Sw. is, Dan. iis, and perh. to E. iron.] 1. Water or other fluid frozen or reduced to the solid state by cold; frozen water. It is a white or transparent colorless substance, crystalline, brittle, and viscoidal. Its specific gravity (0.92, that of water at 4° C. being 1.0) being less than that of water, ice floats.
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☞ Water freezes at 32° F. or 0° Cent., and ice melts at the same temperature. Ice owes its cooling properties to the large amount of heat required to melt it.
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2. Concreted sugar. Johnson.
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3. Water, cream, custard, etc., sweetened, flavored, and artificially frozen.
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4. Any substance having the appearance of ice; as, camphor ice.
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Coloq. Anchor ice , ice which sometimes forms about stones and other objects at the bottom of running or other water, and is thus attached or anchored to the ground. -- Coloq. Bay ice , ice formed in bays, fiords, etc., often in extensive fields which drift out to sea. -- Coloq. Ground ice , anchor ice. -- Coloq. Ice age (Geol.), the glacial epoch or period. See under . -- Coloq. Ice anchor (Naut.), a grapnel for mooring a vessel to a field of ice. Kane. -- Coloq. Ice blink [Dan. iisblink], a streak of whiteness of the horizon, caused by the reflection of light from ice not yet in sight. -- Coloq. Ice boat . (a) A boat fitted with skates or runners, and propelled on ice by sails; an ice yacht. (b) A strong steamboat for breaking a channel through ice. -- Coloq. Ice box or Coloq. Ice chest , a box for holding ice; a box in which things are kept cool by means of ice; a refrigerator. -- Coloq. Ice brook , a brook or stream as cold as ice. [Poetic] Shak. -- Coloq. Ice cream [for iced cream], cream, milk, or custard, sweetened, flavored, and frozen. -- Coloq. Ice field , an extensive sheet of ice. -- Coloq. Ice float , Coloq. Ice floe , a sheet of floating ice similar to an ice field, but smaller. -- Coloq. Ice foot , shore ice in Arctic regions; an ice belt. Kane. -- Coloq. Ice house , a close-covered pit or building for storing ice. -- Coloq. Ice machine (Physics), a machine for making ice artificially, as by the production of a low temperature through the sudden expansion of a gas or vapor, or the rapid evaporation of a volatile liquid. -- Coloq. Ice master . See Ice pilot (below). -- Coloq. Ice pack , an irregular mass of broken and drifting ice. -- Coloq. Ice paper , a transparent film of gelatin for copying or reproducing; papier glacé. -- Coloq. Ice petrel (Zoöl.), a shearwater (Puffinus gelidus) of the Antarctic seas, abundant among floating ice. -- Coloq. Ice pick , a sharp instrument for breaking ice into small pieces. -- Coloq. Ice pilot , a pilot who has charge of a vessel where the course is obstructed by ice, as in polar seas; -- called also ice master. -- Coloq. Ice pitcher , a pitcher adapted for ice water. -- Coloq. Ice plow , a large tool for grooving and cutting ice. -- Coloq. Ice sludge , bay ice broken small by the wind or waves; sludge. -- Coloq. Ice spar (Min.), a variety of feldspar, the crystals of which are very clear like ice; rhyacolite. -- Coloq. Ice tongs , large iron nippers for handling ice. -- Coloq. Ice water . (a) Water cooled by ice. (b) Water formed by the melting of ice. -- Coloq. Ice yacht . See Ice boat (above). -- Coloq. To break the ice . See under . -- Coloq. Water ice , a confection consisting of water sweetened, flavored (usually with a fruit syrup), and frozen.
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Ice (īs), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Iced (īst); p. pr. & vb. n. Icing (īsĭng).] 1. To cover with ice; to convert into ice, or into something resembling ice.
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2. To cover with icing, or frosting made of sugar and milk or white of egg; to frost, as cakes, tarts, etc.
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3. To chill or cool, as with ice; to freeze.
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Iceberg (?), n. [Prob. of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. iisbierg, Sw. isberg, properly, a mountain of ice. See , and .] A large mass of ice, generally floating in the ocean.
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☞ Icebergs are large detached portions of glaciers, which in cold regions often project into the sea.
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Icebird (?), n. (Zoöl.) An Arctic sea bird, as the Arctic fulmar.
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iceboat n. 1. A ship with a reinforced bow to break up ice and keep channels open for navigation; an icebreaker.
Syn. -- icebreaker.
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2. a sailing craft with runners and a cross-shaped frame; suitable for traveling over ice; it is usually propelled by a sail, and sometimes by an engine-powered propeller.
Syn. -- ice yacht.
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Icebound (?), a. Totally surrounded with ice, so as to be incapable of advancing; as, an icebound vessel; also, surrounded by or fringed with ice so as to hinder easy access; as, an icebound coast.
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icebreaker n. 1. a ship with a reinforced bow and powerful engines designed to break up layers of ice on waterways and keep channels open for navigation.
Syn. -- iceboat.
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2. A remark or action intended to relieve tension or reduce formality when initiating conversation or beginning a speech; it is often a humorous or light remark.
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Ice-built (?), a. 1. Composed of ice.
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2. Loaded with ice. “Ice-built mountains.” Gray.
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icecap (īskăp) n. a mass of ice and snow that permanently covers a large area of land (e.g., the polar regions or a mountain peak).
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ice-clogged adj. having flow restricted by ice; -- of rivers or conduits; as, ice-clogged rivers.
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ice-cold adj. as cold as ice; extremely cold.
Syn. -- arctic, freezing, frigid, gelid, glacial, icy, polar.
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ice-free adj. free of ice and open to travel; -- of water routes; as, an ice-free channel in the river.
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Iced (īst), a. 1. Covered with ice.
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2. Chilled with ice; as, iced water; iced tea; iced coffee; -- of beverages.
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3. (Cookery) Covered with something resembling ice, as sugar icing; frosted; as, iced cake.
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Coloq. Iced cream . Same as Ice cream, under .
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Icefall (?), n. A frozen waterfall, or mass of ice resembling a frozen waterfall. Coleridge.
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icehouse n. a building used for storing ice, especially one built partly below ground and insulated so as to preserve ice obtained during the winter from frozen lakes or rivers.
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Icelander (?), n. A native, or one of the Scandinavian people, of Iceland.
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Icelandic (?), a. Of or pertaining to Iceland; relating to, or resembling, the Icelanders.
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Icelandic (?), n. The language of the Icelanders. It is one of the Scandinavian group, and is more nearly allied to the Old Norse than any other language now spoken.
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Iceland moss (?). (Bot.) A kind of lichen (Cetraria Icelandica) found from the Arctic regions to the North Temperate zone. It furnishes a nutritious jelly and other forms of food, and is used in pulmonary complaints as a demulcent.
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Iceland spar (?). (Min.) A transparent variety of calcite, the best of which is obtained in Iceland. It is used for the prisms of the polariscope, because of its strong double refraction. Cf. .
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Iceman (?), n.; pl. Icemen (�). 1. A man who is skilled in traveling upon ice, as among glaciers.
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2. One who deals in ice; one who retails or delivers ice.

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Ice plant (?). (Bot.) A plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum), sprinkled with pellucid, watery vesicles, which glisten like ice. It is native along the Mediterranean, in the Canaries, and in South Africa. Its juice is said to be demulcent and diuretic; its ashes are used in Spain in making glass.
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