Im-päir-ment, s

[ Eng.impair, v.; -ment.] The act of impairing, le ening, or deteriorating; the state of being impaired; deterioration; injury. "To the service of my country and the impairment of my health."-Dryden: Character of Polybius . *Im-păl-a-ta-ble, a . [Pref. im- = in- =not, and Eng. palatable (q.v.).] Unpalatable; not palatable. Im-pāle', v . t. [Latin im-=in-=on, upon, and *2. Scions of noble houses among men. "The king preferred there eighty noble imps to the pal us =a stake.] order of knighthood."- Stow : Annals (1592), p. 385. *3. An offspring, a child. "Arise, and sing that generous imp of fame."