Emily Dickinson Lexicon

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.

IM-PER-CEIV'A-BLE-NESS, n.

Imperceptibleness.

IM-PER-CEP'TI-BLE, a. [Fr.; in and perceptible.]

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,
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.

IM-PER-CEP'TI-BLE, n.

That which can not be perceived by the senses on account of its smallness. [Little used.] Tatler.

IM-PER-CEP'TI-BLE-NESS, n.

The quality of being imperceptible. Hale.