Emily Dickinson Lexicon

IM-PEN', v.t. [in and pen.]

To pen; to shut or inclose in a narrow place. Feltham.

IM-PEND', 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. Destruction sure o'er all your heads impends. Pope.
2. To be near; to be approaching and ready to fall on. It expresses our deep sense of God's impending wrath. Smalridge. Nor bear advices of impending foes. Pope.

IM-PEND'ENCE, or IM-PEND'EN-CY, n.

The state of hanging over; near approach; a menacing attitude. Hammond.

IM-PEND'ENT, a.

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

IM-PEND'ING, ppr.

Hanging over; approaching near; threatening.

IM-PEN-E-TRA-BIL'I-TY, n. [from impenetrable.]

1. The quality of being impenetrable.
2. In philosophy, that quality of matter which prevents two bodies from occupying the same space at the same time. Good.
3. Insusceptibility of intellectual impression. Johnson.

IM-PEN'E-TRA-BLE, a. [L. impenetrabilis; in and penetrabilis, from penetro, to penetrate.]

1. That can not be penetrated or pierced; not admitting the passage of other bodies; as, an impenetrable shield.
2. Not to be affected or moved; not admitting impressions on the mind. The hardened sinner remains impenetrable to the admonitions of the Gospel.
3. Not to be entered by the sight; as, impenetrable darkness. Hence,
4. Not to be entered and viewed by the eye of the intellect; as, impenetrable obscurity or abstruseness.

IM-PEN'E-TRA-BLE-NESS, n.

Impenetrability,– which see.

IM-PEN'ETRA-BLY, adv.

1. With solidity that admits not of being penetrated.
2. With hardness that admits not of impression; as, impenetrably dull. Pope.

IM-PEN'I-TENCE, or IM-PEN'ITEN-CY, n. [Fr. impenitence; Sp. impenitencia; It. impenitenza; L. in and pœnitens, from pœniteo, to repent, pœna, 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. Rogers.

IM-PEN'I-TENT, a. [Fr.; in and penitent, supra.]

Not penitent; not repenting of sin; not contrite; obdurate; of a hard heart. They died / Impenitent. Milton.

IM-PEN'I-TENT, n.

One who does not repent; a hardened sinner.

IM-PEN'I-TENT-LY, adv.

Without repentance or contrition for sin; obdurately.

IM-PEN'NED, pp.

Inclosed in a narrow place.

IM-PEN'NING, ppr.

Inclosing in a narrow place.

IM-PEN'NOUS, a. [in and pennous.]

Wanting wings.

IM-PEO'PLE, v.t.

To form into a community. [See People.] Beaum .

IM-PEO'PLED, pp.

Formed into a community.

IM-PEO'PLING, ppr.

Forming into a community.

IM'PE-RANT, a. [L. impero.]

Commanding. Baxter.

IM'PE-RATE, a. [L. imperatus, impero, to command.]

Done by impulse or direction of the mind. [Not used.] South. Hale.

IM-PER'A-TIVE, a. [Fr. imperatif; 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.
2. In grammar, the imperative mode of a verb is that which expresses command, entreaty, advice or exhortation; as, go, write, attend.

IM-PER'A-TIVE-LY, adv.

With command; authoritatively.

IM-PER-A-TO'RI-AL, a.

Commanding. [Not in use.] Norris.

IM-PER-CEIV'A-BLE, a.

Imperceptible.