Impěnnēş, s

pl. [Nom. pl. of Mod. Lat. impennis, from Lat. im- =not, and penna =a wing, a feather.] Ornith.: The name given by Illiger to a family or tribe of Swimming Birds having short wings covered with scale-like feathers. It includes the Divers, the Auks, the Penguins, . im-pěn-nous, a. [Lat. im-in-=not, and penna =a wing; Eng. adj. suff. -ous.] Having no wings; wanting wings; wingle . "It is generally conceived an earwig hath no wings, and is reckoned among impennous insects by many Browne: Vulgar Errors , bk. iii., ch. xxxvii. *im-per-ant, a . [Lat. imperans , pr. par. of im pero =to command.] Commanding. *Im-per-ate, a . [Lat, imperatus , pa. par. of im pero to command.] Done by expre order or direction; not involuntary; commanded. "These I call the imperate acts of divine providence." Hale: Orig. of Mankind , ch. i., p. 36.