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`Dedicated to the memory of
`Jess Stein
`
`
`
`COPYRIGHT © 1993, 1987, BY RANDOM HOUSE, INC.
`
`First Edition: Copyright © 1983, 1981, 1979, 1973, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1967, 1966, by Raridom House, Inc.
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`All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part ofthis book may be reproduced
`in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without permission in writing from the publisher.
`All inquiries should be addressed to Reference Department, Random House, Inc., 201 E. 50th Street, New York, NY. 10022.
`Published in the United States by Random House, Inc., and simultaneously in Canada by Random House of Canada Limited, 'Ibronto
`
`The Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Second Edition, is a revised and updated edition of The Random House Dictionary ofthe ‘
`English Language, Second Edition, Unabridged.
`
`Random House Unabridged Dictionary, The Random House Dictionary ofthe English Language, and the abbreviations RHD, RHDEL,
`RI-lD—I, and RHD-II are trademarks ofRandom House, Inc.
`
`Library of Congress Cataloging-in—Publication Data
`Random House unabridged dictionary.
`(Random House dictionaries)
`1. English language—Dictionaries. I. Flexner,
`Stuart Berg. II. Series.
`PE1625.R3 1987
`423
`93-84591
`ISBN 0-679-42917-4; 0-679-42441-5 (with CD-ROM)
`
`A number of entered words which we have reason to believe constitute trademarks have been designated as such.
`However, no attempt has been made to designate as trademarks or service marks all words or terms in which proprietary rights may exist.
`The inclusion, exclusion, or definition of a word or term is not intended to affect, or to express a judgment on, the validity or
`legal status of the word or term as a trademark, service mark, or other proprietary term.
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`The Concise French Dictionary, edited by Francesca L. V. Langbaum, Copyright © 1983, 1954, by Random House, Inc.
`
`The Concise German Dictionary, edited by Jenni Karding Moulton, Copyright © 1983, 1959, by Random House, Inc.
`
`The Concise Italian Dictionary, edited by Robert A. Hall, Jr., Copyright © 1983, 1957, by Random House, Inc.
`
`. The Concise Spanish Dictionary, edited by Donald F. Sola, Copyright © 1983, 1954, by RandomHouse, Inc.
`7
`International Phonetic Alphabet, courtesy International Phonetic Association.
`.
`
`Manufactured in the United States of America
`d.s.lsn
`
`New York
`
`'Ibronto
`
`London
`
`Sydney
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`Auckland
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`

`

`T bung
`
`[1600—10; < ML in-
`carrying on or military activities.
`stallitién- (S. of installatio). See INSTALL, -ATION]
`in-state (in staV), v.t., -stat-ed. -stat-ing. 1. to put-or
`place in a certain state or position, as in an office; install.
`in-stall-ment‘
`(in stol/mant), n.
`1. any of several
`2. Obs.
`to endow with something.
`[1595—1605; 1N-2 +
`parts into which a debt or other sum payable is divided
`STATE (n.); see REINSTATE] —in-state/ment, n.
`for payment at successive fixed times: to pay for furni—
`2. a Single portion of "7 Sta‘tu qua
`(in Sta/to_o 1:on; Eng.
`in sta’tyfi)
`ture in monthly installments.
`'
`_
`kwo’, stach’tfi), Latin.
`something furnished or issued by parts at success1ve
`in the state in which (anything
`was or is).
`times: a magazine serial in six installments. Also,
`in-
`stal/ment.
`[1725—35; IN—2 + obs. (e)stallment, equiv. to
`estall to arrange payment on an installment plan (perh.
`< AF) + ~MEN’1‘]
`in-stall-ment2 (in stoliment), n. 1. the act of install—
`ing. 2. the fact of being installed; installation. Also, in-
`stal’ment.
`[1580—90; INSTALL + -MENT]
`install/ment plan/, a system for
`aying for an item
`in fixed amounts at specified interv s.
`[1875—80]
`. ln-sta-matoic (in/ste mat/ik), Trademark.
`a brand
`name for a pocket—size, fixed-focus, snapshot camera.
`in-stance (in/stems), n., v., -stanced. -stanc-ing. —n.
`1. a case or occurrence of anything: fresh instances of
`oppression. 2. an example put forth in proof or illustra—
`tion: to cite a. few instances. 3. Law. the institution and
`prosecution of a case. 4. Archaic. urgency in speech or
`action. 5. Obs. an impelling motive. 6. at the instance
`of, at the urgin or suggestion Of: He applied for the as-
`sistantship at t e instance of his professor. 7. for in-
`stance. as an example; for example: If you were to go to
`Italy, for instance, you would get a different perspective
`on our culture.
`-—v.t. 8. to cite as an instance or exam-
`ple. 9. to exemplify by an instance. ——v.i. 10. to cite an
`instance.
`[1300—50; ME < L instantia presence, urgency
`(ML: case, example). See INSTANT, -ANcs]
`——Syn. 2. See easel.
`
`la
`
`l
`
`
`
`
`
`in-stan-cy (in’stan sé), n. 1. quality of being instant;
`urgency; pressing nature. 2. immediateness.
`[1505—15;
`< L in‘stantia. See INSTANCE, -ANcY]
`in-stant (in/stout), n. 1. an infinitesimal or very Short
`space-of time; a moment: They arrived not an instant too
`soon. 2. the point of time now present or present with
`reference to some action or event. 3. a particular mo—
`ment: at the instant of contact. 4. a food or beverage,
`esp. coffee, specially processed for quick preparation. 5.
`Older Use. the present or current month. —adj. 6. suc—
`ceeding without any interval of time; prompt; immedi—
`ate: instant relief from a headache. 7. pressing or ur-
`gent:
`instant need.
`8. noting a food or beverage
`requiring a minimal amount of time and effort to pre-
`pare, as by heating or the addition of milk or water, be-
`fore being served or used: instant coffee; instant pud-
`ding. 9. OCCurIing, done, or prepared with a minimal
`amount of time and effort; produced rapidly and with lit—
`tle preparation: on instant book; instant answers; instant
`history. 10. designed to act or produce results quickly
`or immediately: an instant lottery. 11. Older Use. of the
`present month: your letter of the 12th instant. Abbr.:
`inst. Cf. proximo. ultimo. 12. present; current: the in-
`stant case before the court.
`-—adv. 13. instantly.
`[1350—
`1400; 1910—15; for def. 8; ME < L instant- (s. of instans)
`prp. of instare to be present, urgent, equiv. to in— IN—2 +
`-st&- STAND + —nt- prp. suffix]
`—Syn. 1. second, twinkling, flash, jiffy, trice. See min-
`uto‘.
`
`1. occur-
`(in/Stan time as), adj.
`in-stan-ta-ne-ous
`ring, done, or completed in an instant: an instantaneous
`response. 2. existing at or pertaining to a particular in-
`stant: the instantaneous position of the rocket. ' [1645—55;
`< ML instantfineus. See INSTANT, —AN, —EOUS] —in-
`stan-ta-ne-i-ty (in stan/tn e/i te; in/sten ta ne’-),
`inl-
`stan-ta/ne-ous-ness. n. —in/stan-ta/ne-ous-ly. adv.
`—-Syn. 1. immediate, sudden, abrupt.
`in’stanta/neous sound/ pres/sure, Physics. See
`sound pressure (def. 1).
`in/stant cam/era,
`a usually portable camera that
`produces a finished picture shortly after each exposure.
`Cf. Polaroid (def. 2).
`[1960—65]
`immediately; at once.
`in-stan-ter
`(in stan’ter), adv.
`[1680—90; < L: urgently, insistently, equiv. to instan(t-)
`INSTANT + ~ter adv. suffix]
`in“;
`‘
`
`in-stan-ti-ate (in Stan/she aw), v.t., -at-ed. -at-ing_ to
`provide an instance of or concrete evidence in support of
`(a theor , concept, claim, or the like).
`[1945—50; < L in-
`stanti(a (taken as comb. form of INSTANCE) + -ATE]
`—in-stan/ti-a/tion, n. —in-stan’ti-a/tive, adj.
`to make
`in-stant-ize (in/Stan tiz’), v.t., -ized, -Iz-ing.
`(foods or other products) available in instant or easily
`prepared form. Also, esp. Brit, in’stant-ise’.
`[1960—65;
`INSTANT + -IZE]
`'5
`.
`in-stant-ly (in/stout lé), adv. 1. immediately; at once.
`2. urgently. —conj. 3. as soon as; directly: I recognized
`her instantly she entered the room.
`[1375—1425; late ME;
`See INSTANT, -LY]
`-
`-—Syn. 1. forthwith. See immediately.
`in’stant photog/raphy, photography using an in—
`stant camera.
`[1975—80]
`ln/Stant re/play. 1. Also called, Brit., action replay.
`Television. a. the recording and immediate rebroadcast-
`ing of a segment of a live television broadcast, esp. of- a
`sports event: an instant replay of the touchdown pass. b.
`a segment recorded and immediately rebroadcast.
`2.
`Informal.
`the repetition,
`review, or reenactment of
`something immediately or soon after its initial occur-
`rence.
`[1965—70, Amen]
`'
`in-star‘ '(in’star), n.
`~ an insect in any one of its periods
`
`cochss ETYMOLOGY xsr: <, descended or borrowed from; >,
`whence; b., blend of, blended; c., cognate with; cf., compare; deriv.,
`derivative; equiv., equivalent; imit.. imitative; obl., oblique; r., re-
`placing; s., stem;rsp., Spelling, Spelled; resp., respelling, respelled;
`trans, translation; ?, ori
`'n unknown; ’, unattested; i, probably
`earlier than. See the full
`ey inside the front cover.
`.
`
`in-stau-ra-tion (in/std ra/shan), n. 1. renewal; resto-
`ration; renovation; repair. 2. Obs. an act of instituting
`something; establishment.
`[1595-1605; < L instaura-
`tion- (3. of instauratifi) a renewing, repeating. See IN-a,
`' STORE, -ATIoN] —in-stau-ra-tor (in/sto ra/tar), n.
`in-stead (in sted’), adv. 1. as a substitute or replace-
`ment; in the place or stead of s'omeone or something: We
`ordered tea but were served cof ee instead. 2. in prefer-
`ence; as a preferred or acce te alternative: The city has
`its pleasures, but she wis ed instead or the quiet of
`country life. 3. instead of, in place 0 ; in lieu of: You
`can use milk instead of cream in this recipe.
`[1175-1225;
`ME; orig. phrase in stead in place]
`in-step (in/step/), n.
`1. the arched upper surface of
`the human foot between the toes and the ankle. 2. the
`part of a shoe, stocking, etc., covering this surface. 3.
`the front of the hind leg of a horse, cow, etc., between
`the hock and the pastern joint; cannon.
`[1520—30; appar.
`IN—l + STEP]
`1. to
`In-sti-gate (in’sti gat/), v.t., -gat-ed, -gat-ing.
`cause by incitement; foment: to instigate a quarrel. 2. to
`urge, provoke, or incite to some action or course: to in-
`stigate the people to revolt. {1535—45; < L instigatus ptp.
`of instigfire to oad on, impel, equiv. to in— IN-2 + -stig-
`goad, prick. (a in to STIGMA, STICK“) + —atus
`-ATI:‘]
`—in’sti-gat/ing-ly. adv. —in’sti-ga/tive. adj. —in/-
`sti-ga/tor, in-sti-gant (in/sti gent), n.
`—Syn. 1. arouse, provoke. 2. induce, stimulate, en-
`courage, push; initiate, start.
`1. the act of insti—
`inastiogavtion (in/sti ga/shen), n.
`gating; incitement.
`2. an incentive.
`[1375—1425; late
`ME. < .L instigfitifin— (s. of instigatio). See INSTIGATE,
`ION]
`.
`instill.
`most“ (in still), v.t., -stilled. -stil-ling.
`in-still
`(in still), v.t.
`1.
`to infuse slowly or gradually
`into the mind or feelings; insinuate;
`inject:
`to instill
`courtesy in a child. 2. to put in drop by drop.
`[152545;
`< L instillare, equiv. to in- IN—2 + stillfire to drip; see
`DISTILL] —in-still/er, n. —in-still/ment, n.
`'T-Syn. 1. inculcate, introduce.
`in-stil-la-tion (in/ste la/Shsn), n. 1. the act of instill—
`ing. 2. something instilled.
`[1530—40; < L instillfitifin—
`(s. of instillatio), equiv. to instillfit(us) ptp. of instillfire
`to INSTILL + -i6n- -ION]
`in-stil-la-tor (in/sts la/ter), n. Med. an apparatus for
`putting liquid drop by drop into a cavity.
`[1825—35; IN-
`STILL + -ATOR]
`in-stinct‘ ,(in/stingkt), n. 1. an inborn pattern of activ-
`ity or tendency to action common to a given biological
`species.
`. a natural or innate impulse, inclination, or
`tendency. 3. a natural aptitude or gift: an instinct for
`making money. 4. natural intuitive power.
`[1375—1425;
`late ME < L instinctus prompting, instigation, enthusi-
`asm, equiv. to 'insting(uere) (in— IN-2 + ‘sting(u)ere
`presumably, to prick; see DISTINCT) + -tus suffix of v.
`action]
`—$yn. 3. genius, knack, faculty, talent.
`in-Stil‘lct2 (in stingktl), adj. 1. filled or infused with
`some animating principle (usually fol. by with): instinct
`with life. 2. Obs. animated by some inner force.
`[1530—
`40; < L instinctus excited, roused, inspired, ptp. of_.'in-
`sting(u)ere; see INSTINCT‘]
`in-stinc-tive (in stingk/tiv), adj. 1. of, pertaining to,
`or of the nature of instinct. 2. prompted by or resulting
`from or as if from instinct; natural; unlearned: an in—
`stinctive will to survive. Also, in-stinc-tu-al (in stingkl-
`cho—o 91).
`[1640—50; INSTINCT‘ + —IVE] —in-stinc/tive-
`ly, in-stinc’tu-al-ly. adv.
`—-Syn. 2. spontaneous, intuitive, unpremeditated.
`in-sti-tute (in’sti twv, -tyo_ot/), v., -tut-ed. -tut-ing, n.
`—v.t. 1. to set up; establish; organize: to institute a gov-
`ernment. 2. to inau
`ate; initiate; start: to institute a
`new course in American literature. 3. to set in opera-
`tion: to institute a lawsuit. 4. to bring into use or prac-
`tice: to institute laws. 5. to establish in an office or posi-
`tion. 6. Eccles.
`to assign to or invest with a spiritual
`charge, as of a parish.
`-—n. 7. a society or organization
`for carrying on a particular work, as of a literary, scien—
`tific, or educational character. 8. the building occupied
`by such a society. 9. Educ. a. an institution, generally
`beyond the secondary school level, devoted to instruction
`in technical subjects, usually separate but sometimes or—
`ganized as a part of a university. b. a unit within a uni-
`versity organized for advanced instruction and research
`in a relatively narrow field of subject matter. c. a short
`instructional program set up for a special group inter-
`ested in a specialized field or subject. 10. an established
`principle, law, custom, or or amzation. 11. institutes.
`a. an elementary textbook of aw designed for beginners.
`b. (cap.) Also called ln/stitutes of Justin’ian. an ele—
`mentary treatise on Roman law in four books, forming
`one of the four, divisions of the Corpus Juris Civilis. 12.
`something instituted.
`[1275—1325; ME < L institfitus.
`ptp. of instituere to set, put up, establish, equiv. to in—
`IN—2 + —stitu‘- (comb. form of statE-, s. of statuere to
`make STAND) + —tus ptp. suffix]
`institutor;
`in‘sti-tut-er (in/sti tail/tar, -ty(fi/-), n.
`in-sti-tu-tion (in/sti tfi/Shsn, -ty(T)’-), n.
`1. an or—
`ganization, establishment,
`foundation, society, or the
`like, devoted to the promotion of a particular cause or
`program, esp. one. of a public, educational, or charitable
`character: This college is the best institution of its kind.
`2. the building devoted to such work. 3. a public or pri-
`
`............ rung-4 v. u valid-LAM. u:- AlluLLl‘lEc- m.
`tion of the family. 5. any established law, cu:
`6. any familiar, long-established person, thing,
`tice; fixture. 7. the act of instituting or settin
`tablishment: the institution of laws. 8. Eccle
`origination of the Eucharist, and enactment (
`servance, by Christ. b. the investment of a m
`the clergy with a spiritual charge.
`[1350—1400;
`institution- (5. of institutio). See INSTITUTE, —Io
`in-sti-tu~tion-al
`(in/sti to—o/she nl, -ty(7)’—), a4
`pertaining to, or established by institution. 2. (
`taining to organized establishments, foundatior
`ties, or the like, or to the buildings devoted
`work. 3. of the nature of an institution. 4. c]
`ized by the blandness, drabness, uniformity, an
`individualized attention attributed to large in:
`that serve many people: institutional food. 5. (4
`tising) having as the primary object the establis
`goodwill and a favorable reputation rather thar
`mediate sale of the product. 6. pertaining to i
`or principles, esp. of jurisprudence.
`[1610—20;
`TION + -AL'] —in/§ti-tu/tion-al-ly, adv.
`in-sti-tu-tion-al-ism (in/sti to—o/she nl iz/em,
`n.
`1. the system of institutions or organized
`devoted to public, charitable, or similar purp
`strong attachment to established institutions, a.-
`gion. 3. the policy or practice of using public
`tions to house and care for people considered i
`of caring for themselves. 4. the belief or polic
`church must maintain institutions of education,
`etc., for its members.
`[1860—65; INSTITUTIONAL
`v—in/sti-tu/tion-aI-ist, n.
`izl,
`to_o/she nl
`in-sti-tu-tionoal-ize
`(in/sti
`v.t., -ized. -iz-ing. 1. to make institutional. 2.
`into or treat as an institution: the danger of ins
`alizing racism. 3. to place or confine in an in:
`esp. one for the care of mental illness, alcohol
`Also, esp. Brit, in/sti-tu/tion-al-ise/.
`[1860—65;
`TIONAL + -IZE] —in/sti-tu/tion-aI-i-za/tion, n.
`in-sti-tu-tion-ar-y (in/sti tm/sha ner/e, 4ch
`. of or pertaining to an institution or institutioi
`tutional.
`-2. of or pertaining to institution, esp. e
`tical institution.
`[1640—50; INSTITUTION + —ARY]
`inosti-tu-tive (in/Sti tm/tiv, —tyav-), adj.
`teI
`intended to institute or establish.
`[1620—30; INST
`-IVE] —in’sti-tu/tive-ly, adv.
`1. a
`in-stiotu-tor
`(in/sti tamer, —tyw/—), n.
`who institutes or founds. 2. Prot. Episc. Ch. 2
`who institutes a minister into a parish or chum
`instituter.
`[1540—50; < LL institutor, equiv. to
`s. of instituere to INSTITUTE + 4307“ —TOR]
`instr., 1. instructor. 2. instrument. 3. instrum
`in-stroke (in/strokl), n. 1. a stroke in an inv
`rection. 2. (in an engine) the stroke during wl
`piston moves into the cylinder.
`[1885—90; IN + E
`in-struct
`(in strukt’), v.t.
`1.
`to furnish with
`edge, esp. by a systematic method; teach; train; 1
`2.
`to furnish with orders or directions; direct
`command: The doctor instructed me to diet. 3.
`nish with information; inform; apprise. 4. LaI
`judge) to guide (a jury) by outlining the legal pr
`involved in the case under consideration.
`[137
`late ME < L instructus ptp. of instruere to equi]
`set in order, equiv. to in- IN—2 + struc- (var. s. of
`to put together) + -tus ptp. suffix] —in-struc'
`adv. —in-struct/edoness, n. —inostructli-blo.
`—Syn.
`1.
`tutor, coach; drill, discipline; indoc
`school. See teach; 2. prescribe. 3. enlighten.
`in-struc-tion (in struk’shon), n. 1. the act or]
`of instructing or teaching; education. 2. know]:
`information imparted. 3. an item of such knowlr
`information. 4.- Usually, instructions. orders 0]
`tions: The instructions are on the back of the box.
`act of furnishing with authoritative directions. E
`puters. a command given to a computer to carr;
`particular operation.
`[1375—1425; late ME instruc
`< L instruction— (s. of instructio). See iNSTRUC:
`—in-struc/tion-al, adj.
`—Syn. 1. tutoring, coaching; training, drill, e:
`indoctrination; schooling. 5. command, mandate.
`in-struc-tive (in struk’tiv), adj. 1. Serving to i
`or inform; conveying instruction, knowledge, or in
`tion; enlightening.
`. Gram. noting a case, as in 17
`whose distinctive function is to indicate means by
`[1605—15;
`INSTRUCT + —IVE] —in-struc’tive-l)
`—in-struc/tive-ness. n.
`1. a person v:
`in-struc-tor
`(in struk’tar), n.
`Structs; teacher. 2. a teacher in a college or uni
`who ranks below an assistant professor.
`[1425—1
`ME < L, equiv. to instruc-, var. s. of instruere (I
`STRUCT) + —tor -TOR] —ln-struc-to-ri-al (in/struk
`al, -t6r/-), adj.- —in-struc/tor-ship/, n.
`—-Syn. 1. tutor, schoolmaster. preceptor, pedagv
`in-struc-tress (in struk’tI-is), n.
`a woman w
`structs; teacher.
`[1620—30; INSTRUCT(O)R + -ESS]
`—Usage. See -ess.
`in-struiment
`(in’stra merit), n. 1. a mechanic
`or implement, esp. one used for delicate or pr
`work: surgical instruments. 2. a contrivance or
`ratus for producing musical sounds: a stringed I
`ment.
`3. a means by which something is effec
`done; agency: an instrument of government. 4. a
`for measuring the present value of a quantity unc'
`servation. 5. a mechanical or electronic measuri
`vice, esp. one used in navigation: landing a plane
`struments.
`6. a formal legal document, aS'a d1
`bond: negotiable instruments. 7. a person used 1
`other merely as a means to Some private end; i
`dupe. —v.t. 8. to equip with instruments, as a In.
`or manufacturing process: to instrument a space v
`9. to
`ange a composition for musical instrumen
`chestrate.
`[1250—1300; ME < L instrfimentum -
`
`(may/”me ‘
`
`

`

`
`
`‘
`
`,
`
`stallation- (s. of installatio). See INSTALL, —ATION]
`in-stall-ment’
`(in stél’msnt), n.
`1. any of several
`parts into which a debt or other sum payable is divided
`for payment at successive fixed times: to pay for furni-
`ture in monthly installments.
`2. a single portion of
`something furnished or issued by parts at successive
`times: a magazine serial in six installments. Also,
`in-
`stallment.
`[1725—35; IN-2 + obs. (e)stallment, equiv. to
`estall to arrange payment on an installment plan (perh.
`< AF) + —MENT]
`in-stall-mentz (in stfil/ment), n. 1. the act of install—
`ing. 2. the fact of being installed; installation. Also, in-
`stallment.
`[1580-90; INSTALL + -MENT]
`install/ment plan’, a system for paying for an item
`in fixed amounts at specified intervals.
`[1875—80]
`In-staomat-ic
`(in/ste mat’ik), Trademark.
`a brand ‘
`name for a pocket—size, fixed-focus, snapshot camera.
`in-stance (in/stems), n., v., -stanced, -stanc-ing. —n.
`1. a case or occurrence of anything: fresh instances of
`oppression. 2. an example put forth in proof or illustra-
`tion: to cite a few instances. 3. Law. the institution and
`prosecution of a case. 4. Archaic. urgency in speech or
`action. 5. Obs. an impelling motive. 6. at the instance
`of. at the urging or suggestion of: He applied for the as-
`sistantship at the instance of his professor. 7. for in-
`stance. as an example; for example: If you were to go to
`Italy, for instance, you would get a different perspective
`,on our culture.
`-—v.t. B. to cite as an instance or exam-
`ple. 9. to exemplify by an instance. —v.i. 10. to cite an
`instance.
`[1300—50; ME < L instantia presence, urgency
`
`(ML: case, example). See INSTANT, -ANCE]
`Syn. 2. See case'.
`in-stan-cy (in/sten Se), n. 1. quality of being instant;
`urgency; pressing nature. 2. immediateness.
`[1505—15;
`< L instantia. See INSTANCE, —_ANCY]
`incstant (in/stout), n. 1. an infinitesimal or very short
`spaceof time; a moment: They arrived not an instant too
`soon. 2. the point of time now present or present with
`reference to some action or event. 3. a particular mo-
`' ment: at the instant of contact. 4. a food or beverage,
`esp. coffee, specially processed for quick preparation. 5.
`Older Use. the present or current month. —adj. 6. suc—
`ceeding without any interval of time; prompt; immedi—
`ate: instant relief from a headache. 7. pressing or ur-
`gent:
`instant need.
`8. noting a food. or beverage
`requiring a minimal amount of time and effort to pre-
`pare, as by heating or the addition of milk or water, be-
`fore being served or used: instant coffee; instant pud-
`ding. 9. occurring, done, or prepared with a minimal
`amount of time and effort; produced rapidly and with lit—
`tle preparation: an instant book; instant answers; instant
`history. 10. designed to act or produce results quickly
`or immediately: on instant lottery. 11. Older Use. of the
`present month: your letter of the 12th instant. Abbr.:
`inst. Cf. proximo. ultimo. 12. present; current: the in-
`stant case before thecourt. —adv. 13. instantly.
`[1350—
`1400; 1910—15; for def. 8; ME < L instant- (s. of instfins)
`prp. of instare to be present, urgent, equiv. to in- IN-2 +
`—sta— STAND + —nt— prp. suffix]
`—Syn. 1. second, twinkling, flash, jiffy, trice. See min-
`ute'.
`1. occur-
`(in/stan ta/né as), adj.
`in-stan-ta-ne-ous
`ring, done, or completed in an instant: an instantaneous
`response. 2. existing at or pertaining to a particular in-
`stant: the instantaneous position of the rocket. - [1645—55;
`< ML instantaneus. See INSTANT, ~AN, —E0Us] —in-
`stan-ta-ne-i-ty (in stan/tn eli té, in/sten to né’-), in/-
`stan-taIne-ous-ness. n. —in/stan-ta’ne-ous-ly. adv.
`—Syn. 1. immediate, sudden, abrupt.
`inlstanta/neous sound/ pres/sure, Physics. See
`sound pressure (def. 1).
`in/stant cam/era,
`a usually portable camera that
`produces a finished picture shortly after each exposure.
`Cf. Polaroid (def. 2).
`[1960—65]
`'
`in-stan-ter
`(in stan’ter), adv.
`immediately; at once.
`[1680—90; < L: urgently, insistently, equiv. to instan(t-)
`
`INSTANT + -ter adv. suffix]
`.
`_
`to
`in-stan-ti-ate (in stan’shé atl), vatr, \Jat-ed, -at-ing.
`provide an instance of or concrete evidence in support of
`(a theor , concept, claim, or the like).
`[1945—50; < L in-
`stanti(a), (taken as comb. form of INSTANCE) + -ATE]
`—in-stan/tica/tion. n. —in-stan/ti-a/tive, adj.
`in-stant-ize (in/Stan tiz/), v.t., -ized. -iz-ing.
`to make
`(foods or other products) available in instant or easily
`prepared form. Also, esp. Brit, in/stant-isel.
`[1960—65;
`INSTANT + -IZE]
`in-stant-ly (in/stent lé), adv. 1. immediately; at once.
`2. urgently. —conj. 3. as soon as; directly: L recognized
`her instantly she entered the room.
`[1375—1425; late ME;
`see INSTANT, ~LY]
`—Syn. 1. forthwith. See immediately.
`in/stant photog/raphy. Photography using an in-
`stant camera.
`[1975—80]
`'
`in/stant re/play, 1. Also called, Brit, action replay.
`Television. 3. the recording and’ immediate rebroadcast-
`ing of a segment of a live television broadcast, esp. of- a
`sports event: an instant replay of the touchdown pass. b.
`a segment recorded and immediately rebroadcast. 2.
`Informal.
`the repetition,
`review, or reenactment of
`something immediately or soon after its initial occur-
`rence.
`[1965-70, Amen]
`P
`in-star‘ (in/star), 71. an insect in any one of its eriods
`
`CONCISE ETYMOLOGY KEY: <, descended or borrowed from; >,
`whence; b., blend of, blended; c., cognate with; cf., compare; deriv.,
`derivative; equiv., equivalent; imit., imitative; obl., oblique; r., re-
`placing; s., stem; 51)., spelling, s elled; resp., respelling, respelled;
`trans, translation;-?, ori
`'n ma
`own;
`', unattested; i, probably
`earlier than. See the full
`ey inside the front cover.
`'
`
`in-state (in stay), v.t., -stat-ed. -stat-ing. 1. to put or
`place in a certain state or position, as in an office; install.
`2. Obs.
`to endow with something.
`[1595—1605;
`IN—2 +
`STATE (n.); see REINSTATE] —in-state’ment. n.
`in sta'tu quo (in stalto—o kwo’; Eng.
`in staltym
`1:on, stach’cfi), Latin.
`in the state in which (anything
`was or is).
`in-stau-ra-tion (in/stfi ra’shen), n. 1. renewal; resto-
`ration; renovation; repair. 2. Obs. an act of instituting
`something; establishment.
`[1595—1605; < L instaura—
`ti6n- (s. of instauratié) a renewing, repeating. See IN-a,
`STORE, —ATION] —in-stau-ra-tor (in/st?) Ira/tar), n.
`in-stead (in stedl), adv. 1. as a substitute or replace-
`ment; in the place or stead of s'omeone or something: We
`ordered tea but were served cof ee instead. 2. in prefer-
`ence; as a preferred or accepte alternative: The city has
`its pleasures, but she wished instead for the quiet of
`country life. 3. instead of, in place of; in lieu of: You
`can use milk instead of cream in this recipe.
`[1175—1225;
`ME; orig. phrase in stead in place]
`in-step (in/step/). n.
`1. the arched upper surface of
`the human foot between the toes and the ankle. 2. the
`part of a shoe, stocking, etc., covering this surface. 3.
`the front of the hind leg of a horse, cow, etc., between
`the hock and the pastern joint; cannon.
`[1520—30; appar.
`IN—‘ + STEP]
`1. to
`in-sti-gate (in/sti gatl), v.t., -gat-ed, -gat-ing.
`cause by incitement; foment: to instigate a quarrel. 2. to
`urge, provoke, or incite to some action or course: to in-
`stigate the people to revolt.
`[1535—45; < L instigc‘ztus ptp.
`of instigr'zre to goad on, impel, equiv. to in— IN-2 + —stig-
`goad, prick (akin to STIGMA, STICK”) + —atus
`-ATE‘]
`—in/sti-gat/ing-Iy, adv. —in’sti-ga/tive. adj. —inl-
`sti-ga/tor, in-sti-gant (in/sti gent), n.
`—Syn. 1. arouse, provoke. 2. induce, stimulate, en-
`courage, push; initiate, start.
`1. the act of insti—
`in-sti-ga-tion (in/sti ga’shen), n.
`gating;
`incitement. 2. an incentive.
`[1375—1425; late
`ION
`ME] < L instigation— (s. of instigatio). See INSTIGATE,
`ln-Stil
`(in still), v.t., -stilled, -stiI-ling.
`instill.
`in-still
`(in still), v.t.
`1.
`to infuse slowly or gradually
`into the mind or feelings;
`insinuate;
`inject:
`to instill
`courtesy in a child. 2. to put in drop by drop.
`[1525—35;
`< L instillfire, equiv. to in- IN-2 + stillfire to drip; see
`DISTILL] —in-still/er, n. —in-still/ment. n.
`—Syn. 1. inculcate, introduce.
`in-stil-la-tion (in/sta la’shan), n. 1. the act Of instill—
`ing. 2. something instilled.
`[1530—40; < L instillatifin-
`(s. of instillatio), equiv. to instillat(us) ptp. of instillare
`to INSTILL + -i6n- —ION]
`in-stil-la-tor (in/Ste la/ter), n. Med. an apparatus for
`putting'liquid drop by drop into a cavity.
`[1825—35; IN-
`STILL + —ATOR]
`.
`in-stinct‘y (in/stingkt), n. 1. an inborn pattern of activ—
`ity or tendency to action common to a given biological
`species. 2. a natural or innate impulse, inclination, or
`tendency. 3. a natural aptitude or gift: an instinct for
`making money. 4. natural intuitive power.
`[1375—1425;
`late ME < L instinctus prompting, instigation, enthusi-
`asm, equiv.
`to 'insting(uere) (in- 1N3 + ‘sting(u)ere
`presumably, to prick; see DISTINCT) + —tus suffix of v.
`action]
`—Syn. 3. genius, knack, faculty, talent. a,
`inostinctz (in stingkt’), adj.
`1. filled or infused with
`some animating principle (usually fol. by with): instinct
`with life. 2. Obs. animated by some inner force.
`[1530—
`40; < L instinctus excited, roused, inspired, ptp. offin-
`sting(u)ere; see INSTINCT‘]
`in-stinc-tive (in stingk’tiv), adj. 1. of, pertaining to,
`or of the nature of instinct. 2. prompted by or resulting
`from or as if from instinct; natural; unlearned: an in—
`stinctive will to survive. Also, in-stinc-tu-al (in stingkl-
`chm 91).
`[1640—50; INSTINCT‘ + —IVE] —in-stincltive-
`
`ly, in-stinc/tu-al-Iy, adv.
`,
`Syn. 2. spontaneous, intuitive, unpremeditated.
`in-sti-tute (in’sti tmv, —tyo_ot/), v., -tut-ed, -tut-ing, n.
`—v.t. 1. to set up; establish; organize: to institute a gov—
`ernment. 2. to inaugurate; initiate; start: to institute a
`new course in American literature. 3. to set in opera—
`tion: to institute a lawsuit. 4. to bring into use or prac-/
`tice: to institute laws. 5. to establish in an office or posi—
`tion. 6. Eccles.‘to assign to or invest with a spiritual
`charge, as of a parish. —n. 7. a societyor organization
`for carrying on a particular work, as of a literary, scien—
`tific, or educational character. 8. the building occupied
`by such a society. 9. Educ. a. an institution, generally
`beyond the secondary school level, devoted to instruction
`in technical subjects, usually separate but sometimes or-
`ganized as a part of a university. b. a unit within a uni-
`versity organized for advanced instruction and research
`in a relatively narrow field of subject matter. c. a short
`instructional program set up for a special group inter-
`ested in a specialized field or subject. 10. an established
`principle, law, custom, or organization. 11. institutes,
`a. an elementary textbook of law designed for beginners.
`b. (can) Also called ln/stitutes of Justin’ian. an ele-
`mentary treatise on Roman law in four books, forming
`one of the four divisions of the Corpus Juris Civilis. 12.
`'something instituted.
`[1275—1325; ME < L institfitus.
`ptp. Of instituere to set, put up, establish, equiv. to in-
`IN—2 + -stitfi— (comb. form of‘StatE-, s. of statuere to
`make STAND) + —tus ptp. suffix]
`in-sti-tut-er (in’Sti tfi’tar, -tyO—o/-), n. (institutor.
`in-sti-tu-tion (in’sti tfio’shan, —ty.o_o’—), n.
`1. an or-
`ganization, establishment, foundation, society, or the
`like, devoted to the promotion of a particular cause or
`program, esp. one of a public, educational, or charitable
`character: This college is the best institution of its kind.
`. 2. the building devoted to such work. 3. a public or pri—
`
`6. any familiar, long-established person, thing, (
`tice; fixture. 7. the act of instituting or setting
`tablishment:
`the institution of laws. 8. Eccles.
`origination of the Eucharist, and enactment of
`servance, by Christ. b. the investment of a me:
`the clergy with a spiritual charge.
`[1350—1400; l|
`instititién— (s. of institutio). See INSTITUTE, -ION
`in-sti-tu-tionoal
`(in/sti to_o/sha nl, -ty(Y)/-), ad,‘
`pertaining to, or established by institution. 2. of
`taining to organized establishments, foundation:
`ties, or the like, or to the buildings devoted '
`work. 3. Of the nature of an institution. 4. ch.-
`ized by the blandness, drabness, uniformity, and
`individualized attention attributed to large inst
`that serve many people: institutional food. 5. (o:
`tising) having as the primary object the establish
`goodwill and a favorable reputation rather than
`mediate sale of the product. 6. pertaining to it
`or principles, esp. of jurisprudence.
`[1610—20;
`1
`TION + —AL‘] —in/sti-tu/tion-aI-ly, adv.
`in-sti-tu-tion-al-ism (in/sti tfi’sha n1 iz’sm, .
`n.
`1. the system of institutions or organized l
`devoted to public, charitable, or similar purpo
`strong attachment to established institutions, as
`gion. 3. the policy or practice of using public
`tions to house and care for people considered ir.
`of caring for themselves. 4. the belief or polio:
`church must maintain institutions of education,
`etc., for its members.
`[1860—65; INSTITUTIONAL
`—in/sti-tu’tion-al-ist, n.
`-
`tin/she n1 iz’,
`in-sti-tu-tion-al-ize
`(in/sti
`v.t., ~ized, -iz-ing. 1. to make institutional. 2. 1
`into or treat as an institution: the danger of inst
`alizing racism. 3. to place or confine in an ins‘
`esp. one for the care of mental illness, alcoholi
`Also, esp. Brit, in/sti-tu/tion-al-ise/.
`[1860—65; 1
`TIONAL + -Izn] —in/sti-tu/tion-al-i-za’tion, n.
`in-sti-tu-tion-ar-y (in/sti tfi’she ner’é, —tyo_o-
`1. of or pertaining to an institution or institution
`tutional