Page 139 - WEBSTER Essential vocabulary
P. 139
12_571656 ch08.qxd 11/10/04 12:37 PM Page 130
Essential Vocabulary
130
impermanent (im POER mi nint) adj. not lasting; temporary; fleeting
• A snowman is a rather impermanent type of statuary—especially in
Maryland.
• Weather differs from climate in that the former is an impermanent
condition.
[-ly adv., impermanence n.]
impetuous* (im PET you is) adj. acting or done suddenly, with little thought;
sudden; rash; impulsive
• Janet’s volunteering to join the posse was an impetuous act on her part and
took everyone by surprise.
• Buddy was impetuous when he suddenly joined the army, and he had two
years to reflect on the act.
[-ly adv., -ness n.] [Syn. sudden]
impious (IM pee uhs) adj. 1. lacking reverence for God; 2. lacking respect or
sense of obligation toward one’s parents
• When Bill made impious remarks, he was rebuked by Sister Kathleen.
• It was impious of Cara to abandon her father to a state-run nursing facility
and wash her hands of him.
[-ly adv., -ness n.]
implement (IM pli MINT) vt. 1. to put into effect; to fulfill; accomplish; 2. to
give the means of carrying out something —n. 1. a tool, utensil, or device used to
accomplish some task; 2. any tool or person used to accomplish some end
• It took some restaurateurs weeks to implement the ban on smoking in
restaurants.
• Airline pilots will be trained in the use of firearms to implement the new
aircraft security policy.
• A spade is only one implement used in gardening.
• An electric drill is the preferred hole-boring woodworking implement.
[-ed, -ing, -ation* n.]
implication (IM pli KAY shn) n. 1. an involvement or connection with some-
thing, such as a crime; 2. a showing to be involved with something; 3. something
implied, from which an inference can be made
• Charlie’s lawyer agreed to his client’s giving testimony in exchange for the
prosecution’s dropping any implication that Charlie had been involved in
the crime.
• I resent your implication that I had any connection to your home’s having
been vandalized.
• The seller made no implication that could be construed as a warranty, other
than that provided by the manufacturer.
imply (im PLY) vt. 1. to suggest; indicate indirectly; hint; intimate; 2. to involve
naturally; to have as a needed condition or part
• Jack did not mean to imply that you lacked intelligence.
• Your having taken the bicycle from the park implies that the bicycle was in
the park in the first place.
[implied, -ing, implies pl.] [Syn. suggest]