imprisonment

[Fr. emprisonnement, from emprisonner.] 1. The act of imprisoning or confining in a prison or jail. 2. The state of being imprisoned; confinement in a prison; restraint of liberty. "[He] was condemned to perpetual imprisonment." Burke : Speech at Bristol . For the difference between imprisonment and confinement, see CONFINEMENT. False imprisonment : (See extract.) "To constitute the injury of false imprisonment there are two points requisite: 1. The detention of the person; and, 2. The unlawfulne of such detention. Every confinement of the person is an imprisonment, whether it be in a common prison, or in a private house, or even by forcibly detaining one in the public streets. Unlawful or false imprisonment consists in such confinement or detention without sufficient authority. The remedy is of two sorts: the one removing the injury; the other, mak ing satisfaction for it. And the means of removing the actual injury is by writ of habeas corpus."- Black stone : Comment., bk. iii., ch. 5. Im-prob-a-bil-i-ty, s. [Pref.im-in-=not, and Eng . probability (q. v.).] 1. The quality or state of being improbable; un likelihood. "There are degrees herein quite down to im- probability and unlikeline ."-Locke: Human Under. standing, bk. iv., ch. xv. 2. That which is improbable or unlikely; an im- probable event, result, . Events, improbable and strange as these, Which only a parental mind foresees, A public school shall bring to pa with ease." Cowper: Tirocinium , 370. Im-prob-a-ble-ne , s. [English improbable ; ne . The quality or state of being improbable; improbability im-prob-a-bly, adv . [Eng. improbab ( le ); -ly .] In an improbable manner or degree; without or beyond probability or likelihood. "A few years more may, not improbably , leave him without one admirer."- Hurd : On the Prophecies . (Appendix.) chin, bench; go, gem; thin, this; *Im-pro-lif-Ic, a . [Pref. im - in- =not, and Eng. prolific (q. v.).] Not prolific; not fruitful; unproductive. *Im-pro-lif-I-cāte, v . t . [Pref. im- =in, and Lat. prolifico to make prolific (q. v.).] To impregnate, to fecundate; to make prolific. "This may be a means to improlificate the seed."Browne: Vulgar Errors , bk. vii., ch. xvi. *Im-prompt, a . [Pref. im- = in- =not, and Eng. prompt (q. v.).] Not ready; unready; unprepared. "So imprompt , so ill-prepared to stand the shock."Sterne: Tristram Shandy, i. 219. Im-prõmp-tu, adv ., a. & s. [Fr., from Lat. in promptu in readine .] A. As adv .: Off-hand; without previous study. B. As adj .: Done or said off-hand or without previous study; off-hand, extempore. C. As subst.: A piece made off-hand or extempore; an extemporaneous composition. *Im-promp-tu-Ist, s . [ Eng.impromptu ,s.; -ist .] One who produces on the spur of the moment; an improviser. "Theodore Hook, the wittiest man of his day, was a most prolific impromptu ist ."- Chambers ' Journal , xxx. 742. Im-prop-er, a . [French impropre , from Latin improprius ; Ital. improprio ; Spanish impropio .] [PROPER.] 1. Not peculiar or proper to an individual; general, common. 2. Not proper; not well adapted or suited to the circumstances, design, or end; unsuitable, unfit; as, an improper medicine. 3. Unbecoming, indecent; as, an improper speech, improper conduct. IMG:content-1534.png:[blocks in formation] *Im-prop-er-ā-tion, s. [Lat. improper at us , pa. par. of impropero =to taunt, to upbraid.] Vituperation, abuse, reproach; a taunt. "Omitting these improper a tions and terms of scurrility."- Browne . Im-prop-er-lỹ, adv . [Eng. improper; -ly.] 1. In an improper, unfit, or unsuitable manner; not fitly, not suitably, not properly. "It is not lest you should censure me improperly , but lest you should form improper opinions on matters of some moment."- Burke : Speech at Bristol. 2. In an unbecoming or indecent manner. 3. Not justly, accurately, or correctly; incorrectly. "As some, improperly enough, call it a tender conscience."- South : Sermons , vol. iii., ser. 5. sin, as; expect, Xenophon, exist. ph = f. impropitious *Im-pro-pi-tious, a . [Pref. im - in- =not, and Eng. propitious (q. v.).] Not propitious; unpropitious, unfavorable. "I am sorry to hear in the mean time that your dreams were impropitious ." - Wotton: Remains, p. 574. *Im-pro-por-tion-a-ble, a. [Pref. im- =in-= not, and Eng. proportionable (q.v.).] Not proportionable. "If I had thought a creature of her symmetry could have dared so improportionable and abrupt a digre ion." -Ben Jonson: Cynthia's Revels , i. 3. *Im-pro-por-tion-ate, a. [Pref. im- in- =not, and Eng. proportionate (q.v.).] Not proportionate; not in proportion. "The cavity is improportionate to the head."- Smith : On Old Age , p. 59. Im-pro-pri-āte, v. t . & i. [Lat. pref. im- =in, and propriatus , pa. par. of proprio =to appropriate (q. v.).] A. Transitive : 1. Ord . Lang .: To convert to one's own or to private use; to take to one's self; to appropriate. "Impropriating the Spirit of God to themselves."Milton: Animad, upon Remonstrant's Defence. 2. Eccles. Law : To place the revenues, profits, care, and charge of, into the hands of a layman; to vest in a layman or corporation. "Other religious houses and rectories that were impro priated ."-Burnet: Hist. Reform ., vol. i., bk. i. B. In trans.: To act as or become an impropriator. Im-pro-pri-ate, a . [IMPROPRIATE, v .] Placed or vested in the hands of a layman; impropriated. Im-pro-pri-a-tion, s. [IMPROPRIATE.] *1. The act of impropriating or appropriating to one's self. 2. The act of putting an ecclesiastical benefice in the hands of a layman; the act of employing the revenues of a church for a layman's use. When, after the suppre ion of abbeys in 1539, Henry VIII. gave their revenues to his courtiers, the latter were termed impropriators. According to Haydn (ed. 1878) their succe ors are 7,597 in number. "An impropriation is properly so called when the church land is in the hands of a layman." - Ayliffe : Parergon. 3. That which is impropriated, as ecclesiastical property. "All the impropriations might easily have been purchased in those days."-Nelson: Life of Bishop Bull . Im-pro-pri-ā-tör, s. [Eng. impropriat (e); -or .] One who impropriates; specifically, a layman who has po e ion of the lands of the church or an ecclesiastical benefice; one who holds an impropriation. "If some rich impropriators could be prevailed upon to restore to the Church some part of her revenues." Nel . son: Life of Bp . Bull . Im-pro-pri-ā-trix, s . [Formed by analogy from IMPROPRIATE (q.v.).] A female impropriator. Im-pro-pri-ě tý, s. [Pref. im - in- =not, and Eng. propriety (q. v.).] 1. The quality or state of being improper; a want or lack of propriety, suitablene , or fitne in regard to time, place, circumstances, . 2. That which is improper; an improper, unsuitable, or unbecoming act, expre ion, . "Deformed with all the improprieties which ignorance and neglect could accumulate upon him." -Johnson: Preface to Shakespeare. *Im-pros-pěr-1-ty, s. [Pref. im - in- =not, and Eng. prosperity (q. v.).] A want or lack of prosperity, good fortune, or succe . "The prosperity or improsperity of a man, or his fate here, does not entirely depend upon his own prudence or imprudence." -Jortin: Rem. on Eccles. Hist. *Im-pros-per-oŭs, a . [Pref. im - in- =not, and Eng. prosperous (q.v.).] Not prosperous, fortunate, or succe ful; unfortunate. "Since the improsperous voyage we begun." Dryden: Virgil's Eneid , v. 815. *Im-pros-per-oŭs-lỹ, adv . [Pref. im - in- =not, and Eng, prosperously (q. v.).] Not prosperously; unsucce fully, unfortunately. *Im-pros-per-oŭs-ne , s . [Eng. improsperous ; -ne .] The quality or state of being improsperous; want of prosperity or succe ; ill-succe . Im-prov-a-bil-1-ty, s. [Eng. improvable ; -ity.] The quality or state of being improvable; capability of being improved, or of being used to advantage. Im-prôv-a-ble, a . [Eng. improv (e); -able.] 1. That may or can be improved; capable of being improved; susceptible or admitting of improvement or amelioration that can be made better or advanced in good qualities. "The peculiar gift of improvable reason."-Archbp. Sumner: Records of Creation (ed. 1816), vol. ii., ch. ii. 2280 Im-prôv-a-ble-ne , s. [Eng. improvable ; -ne .] The quality or state of being improvable; improvability. "The Romish doctrines of the improvablene of attri tion into contrition."-Hammond: Works , i. 479. Im-prôv-a-bly, adv . [Eng. improvab ( le ) ; -ly .] In an improvable manner; in a manner admitting of improvement. Im-prôve (1), v. t . & i. [Pref. im- =in, and Eng. prove (q. v.).] IMG:content-1535.png:[blocks in formation] Im-prôve-měnt, s. [Eng. improve; -ment .] 1. The act of improving or making better; the act of advancing or raising in value, worth, goodne , . "The improvement of the ground is the most natural obtaining of riches." - Bacon: E ays; Of Riches. 2. The act of using or employing to advantage; the act of turning to good purpose or account; profitable use or employment. 3. The state of being improved or made better; advancement in value, worth, goodne , knowledge, .; profitable use or employment. 'Exercise is the chief source of improvement in all our faculties." -Blair , vol. i., lect. 2. 4. Progre , growth, increase. "How impo ible it was for that body of men to compose the distempers of that age, or prevent the improve . ment of them."-Clarendon: Religion and Policy , ch. vii. 5. That which improves or increases the value, worth, goodne , ., of; that which is added, or done to anything in order to improve it; that by which anything is advanced in value or excellence; a beneficial or valuable addition. "The parts of Sinon, Camilla, and some few others, are improvements on the Greek poet."-Add is on: Specta tor , No. 273. Im-prôv-er, s . [Eng. improv ( e ); -er .] 1. Ord . Lang .: One who or that which improves or makes better. "Eminent improvers of any art may be allowed for the co-inventors thereof."-Fuller: Worthies; General, ch. xii. 2. Dre .: A learner in dre making. *Im-pro-vid-ěd, a . [Pref. im - in -not, and Eng. provided ; Lat. improv is us .] 1. Unforeseen, unexpected; unprovided against. "To work new woe and improvided scath.' Spenser: F. Q., I. xii. 34. 2. Unprepared, unready. "He was not to hope for any aide from Maximilian, for that hee was altogether improuided ." - Bacon: Henry VII . , р. 109. Im-prov-1-dence, s. [Pref. im -in-=not, and Eng. providence (q.v.).] The quality of being improvident; want of foresight or forethought; want of thrift. Im-prov-1-dent, a . [Prefix im- = in- =not, and Eng. provident (q. v.).] 1. Not provident; wanting in foresight or fore thought; neglecting to make provision for future exigencies; carele for the future; thriftle . 2. Carele , heedle ; not circumspect. "Improvident soldiers! had your watch been good, This sudden mischief never could have fallen." Shakesp.: Henry VI., Pt . I. , ii. 1. Im-prov-i-dent-lý, adv . [Eng. improvident ; -ly. In an improvident manner; without foresight or forethought. "Improvidently rash."-Drayton: Polyolbion , s. 12. Im-prôv-ing, pr . par ., a . & 8. [IMPROVE.] A. As pr . par .: (See the verb.) B. As adj .: Making or tending to make better in better . imprudent C. As subst.: The same as IMPROVEMENT (q. v.). improving-lease, s. Scots Law: A lease granted for more than the ordinary duration to a tenant with a view to encourage him to make improvements on the farm in the hope of himself benefiting by them, when, from neglect or exhaustion of the soil, it would require great outlay and labor to prepare it for succe ful cultivation. Im-prôv-Ing-ly, adv . [Eng. improving; -ly.] In an improving manner; so as to improve. *Im-prov-iş-āte, adj . [Italian improv is a to , pa. par. of improv is are .] Unpremeditated, impromptu; done, made, or said; impromptu or extempore. Im-prov-i-şāte, v . t . & i. [IMPROVISATE, α.] A. Trans.: To compose, recite, or sing impromptu; to improvise. B. In trans.: To improvise; to speak, recite, or sing extemporaneously. Im-prov-i-şā-tion, s. [Fr.] 1. The act or art of doing anything extemporane ously; the act or art of composing, reciting, or singing verses impromptu. "The talent of improv i zati on , which is found even among the lowest of the people."-Scott: Don Roderick. (Note.) 2. That which is improvised or extemporaneous; an impromptu. (G. Eliot: Middle march , ch. xx.) Im-pro-viş-a-tīze, v. t. & i. [English impro vis at (e); -ize .] To improvisate; to improvise. Im-prov-l-şā-tor, or Im-pro-viş-a-tör, s. [Eng. improv is at (e); -or.] One who composes, sings, or recites verses extemporaneously; an improviser. Im-pro-viş-a-tör'-ê, s. [IMPROVVISATORE.] Im-pro-viş-a-tōr-ỹ, Im-pro-viş-a-tör-I-al, a. [Eng. improv is at (e); -ory, -orial .] Of or pertaining to improvisation or extemporaneous composition, reciting or singing of verses. Im-pro-viş-a-tri-cê (cas çh), s. [IMPROV VISA TRICE.] Im-pro-vîşe (or î as I), v . t . & i. [Fr. impro viser, from Ital. improv vis are =to sing extempore verses, from improv i so =unexpected, unprovided for, from Lat. improv is us unforeseen: im - in- = not, and provisus , pa. par. of pro video =to foresee.] [PROVIDE.] A. Transitive : 1. To improvisate; to compose, recite, or sing extemporaneously. 2. To do, form, or make up on the spur of the moment, or for a special purpose or occasion; to extemporize. B. In trans.: To compose, recite, or sing verses extemporaneously or impromptu; hence, to do anything off-hand, or on the spur of the moment. Im-pro-vîş-er (or î as ī), s. [Eng. improv is ( e ); -er .] One who improvises; an improvisator. *Im-pro-vi-şion, s. [Pref. im- =in-=not, and Eng. provision (q.v.).] Want or lack of foresight or forethought; improvidence. "Her improvizion would be justly accusable."-Browne: Vulgar Errors , bk., iii., ch. ii. *im pro vi-şō, a . [Ital., from Lat. improv is us .] [IMPROVISE.] Not prepared or meditated beforehand: impromptu; extemporaneous. im prov viş a törê ( plural im-prov-viş atör-î), s . [Ital.: Fr.improv is at eur .] One who improv isos; a versifier, who can, without preparation, compose verses upon any given subject. ( Byron : Верро , хххііі.) IMG:content-1536.png:[blocks in formation] Im-prû-dence, s. [Fr., from Lat. imprudent i a , from imprudens imprudent (q. v.); Sp. impruden cia ; Ital. imprudenza .] 1. The quality or state of being imprudent; want or lack of prudence; indiscretion; want of caution. foresight, or circumspection; heedle ne ; care le ne . "This serenity was interrupted, perhaps by his own imprudence." -Mickle: Life of Camoens. 2. An imprudent act or course of action. Im-prû-dent, a . [Fr. from Lat. imprudens = not prudent; Ital. & Sp. imprudente .] Not prudent; wanting in prudence, foresight, circumspection, or discretion; indiscreet; injudicious; ill-advised; rash. "Nature pulling at thine heart, Condemns the unfatherly, the imprudent part." Cowper: Tirocinium , 866. marine; gō, pot, pine, pit, sire, sir, The American Dictionary and Cyclopedia imprudently Im-pru-dent-ly, adv . [Eng. imprudent ; -ly.] In an imprudent manner; indiscreetly; injudi ciously. ( Hall : Henry VI ., an. 39.) Im-pū-ber-al, a. [Lat. impubes (gen it. impu beris): im- in- =not, and pubes , puber = of age.] Not having reached the age of puberty. Im-pů běr ty, s. [Pref.im-= in- =not, and Eng, puberty (q. (q.v.).] v.). The state of not having reached the age of puberty; a want of the age at which the contract of marriage may be legally entered into. (Paley: Moral Philosophy , bk. iii., ch. vii.) Im-pu-dence, *Im-pu-den-çỹ, s . [Fr., from Lat.impudent i a , from impudens =impudence; Ital. impudenza ; Sp. impudencia .] The quality or state of being impudent; shamele ne ; impertinence; a urance; forwardne ; want of modesty. "An outward show of levity, profusion, improvidence, and eccentric impudence." -Macaulay: Hist . Eng ., ch. vi. Like one's impudence : Impudent conduct, such as might be expected from one. Im-pu-dent, a. [Fr., from Lat. impudens: im. =in-=not, and pudens =modest, ashamed; Ital. & Sp. impudente . Wanting in shame or modesty;. shamele ; immodest; impertinent; bold-faced; full of a urance. "Canis (saieth Donate) is a worde that menne vse to obiecte vnto suche as be impudent and shamele e felows."Udall: Flowres, fo. 90. Im-pu-dent-lý, adv . [Eng. impudent ; -ly .] In an impudent manner; without shame or modesty; shamele ly; insolently. "Publishing so impudently such manifest vntruthes." -Hackluyt. Voyages , iii. 596. Im-pu-diç'-I-ty, s. [Lat. impudicitia , from im pudic us =immodest: im- = in- =not, and pudic us = modest.] Immodesty; shamele ne . "That usual pride, levity, or impudicity , which they ob. served or suspected in many." -Bp. Taylor . Im-pügn (g silent), *im-pugne, v. t. [Fr. im . pugner, from Lat. impugno =to fight against: im- = in -in, on, and pug no to fight.] 1. To attack in argument; to call in question; to a ail; to contradict; to gainsay. "To impugn them with arguments from thence." Boyle: Works, vi. 711. *2. To oppose; to go against. "In such rule, that the Venetian law Cannot impugn you." Shakesp.: Merchant of Venice, iv. 1. Im-pügna-ble (gsilent), a. [English impugn ; -able. That may or can be impugned, gainsaid, or called in question. *Im-pug-nā-tion, s. [Latin impugnatio , from impugno to fight against; O. Fr. impugnation : Sp. impugn a cion ; : Ital. impugn azione .] act of impugning or opposing; opposition. "The impugnatio . of Christes reale presence in the sacramente." -Bp. Gardner: Transubstantiation , fo. 107. Im-pūgn-er ( g silent), s. [Eng. impugn ; -er.] One who impugns, opposes, or contradicts; an op. ponent. "Some papists, impugners of the king's authority."_ Strype: Memorials (an. 1538). Im-pūgn-ment ( g silent), s. [English impugn ; -ment. The act of impugning; the state of being impugned. Im-pu-Is-sance, s. [Fr., from im- = in- = not, and pui ance = power.] Want or lack of power; impotence, weakne , feeblene , inability. "I felt myself So safe in impui ance and despair." E. B. Browning: Aurora Leigh , ix. Im-pu-Is-sant, a. [Fr., from im- = in- = not, = 2281 *Im-pulse', v . t . [IMPULSE, S.] To instigate, to incite, to urge, to give an impulse to. Im-pulsion, s. [Lat. impulsio , from impulsus , pa. par. of impello .] [IMPULSE, 8.] 1. The act of impelling, driving, or urging for ward; impulse; the agency of a body in motion upon another body. "All So crates did was to give an impulsion in a certain direction, and to furnish a certain method."-Lewes: Hist. of Philosophy, i. 188. 2. The state of being impelled, driven, or urged forward. "I wish, then, thirdly, that Mr. Hobbes had declared from whence the regre of the air's impulsion should. begin."-Boyle: Works , i. 207. 3. Influence acting upon the mind either rom within or without; impulse; instigation. "Thou didst plead Divine impulsion ."- Milton : Samson Agonistes , 422. Im-pul-sive, a . & s . [Fr. impulsif , from Latin impute *im-püre', v. t. [IMPURE, a.] To make impure to render foul, to defile, to pollute. "One drop of that wicked blood was enough both to impure and spill all the rest." -Bp . Hall : Contempl .; Atha liah and Joash. Im-püre-lý, adv. [Eng. impure; -ly.] In an impure manner; with impurity.