2. Botany:

iridacea

(1) Sing.: A member of the Iridaceae (q. v.). (2) Pl.: The name given by Lindley to the Iridaceæ (q. v.).

I-rid-a -çe-æ, i-rid-ĕ-æ, *1'-rid-eş, s. pl. [Lat. iris (genit. iridis).] [IRID.1

Bot.: Irids, an order of Endogens. alliance Narcissales. It consists of herbs, or more rarely of undershrubs, with tuberous or fibrous roots; leaves generally equitant or distichous; bracts spathaceous; calyx and corolla adherent or colored; petals three; stamens three; ovary three-celled, manyseeded; fruit capsular. Found at the Cape of Good Hope, the temperate parts of Europe and in this country.

I-rid -æ-a, s. [Lat. iris, genit. irid (is); fem. adj. sing. suff.ca.] Bot.: A genus of Rose-spored Algals, order Ceramiaceae, sub-order Ceramer, family Nemastomide or Cryptonemiacea. Iridaa edulis is sometimes called Dulse, though the genuine Scottish Dulse is Rhodomenia palmata.

i-rid-al, a. [Lat. iris, genit. irid (is) the rainbow; Eng. adj. suff. al.] Pertaining to or resembling the rainbow.

out, and temno to cut.]

Surg.: A knife for operations on the eye. i-rid-ěc-to-my, 8. [IRIDECTOME.] Surg. The act or operation of cutting out a portion of the iris for the purpose of forming an artificial pupil.

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salts. Iridic chloride also unites with alkaline chlorides, forming iridio-chlorides, which are all of dark brown color. There are three iodides of iridium analogous to the chlorides, and three sulphides analogous to the first three oxides. Iridic solutions give, with ammonium or potassium chloride, a crystalline precipitate, which is distinguished from the platinum precipitate by its reddish-brown color.

2. Min.: The Native Iridium of Jameson is Irid

osmine (q. v.).

i-rid-og-mine, s. [Modern Latin irid (ium); osm (ium), with suff. -ine (Min.) (q. v.).] Min.: A hexagonal opaque mineral of tin-white or light steel-gray color and metallic luster. HardIridium, 43-28-70-40; osmium, 17 20-40'85, &c. Found ness, 6-7; specific gravity, 19.30-21-12. Composition: with platinum in Choco in South America, also in the Ural Mountains and in Australia. Varieties Newjanskite and Sisserskite. (Dana.)

1-ris (pl. I'-ri-deg), s. [Lat. iris-Gr. iris-rainbow.] I. Ord. Lang.: The rainbow. II. Technically:

i-rid-ěc tome, 8. [Gr. iris (genit. iridos)=the ing the black central pupil. It consists of three 1. Anat.: The colored portion of the eye surroundrainbow, the iris, and ektome-a cutting out: ek layers, an anterior epithelial layer, a posterior layer of pigment called the uvea, and a middle fibrous layer. 2. Bot. The typical genus of the order Iridaceae (q. v.). The perianth is regular, its segments unequal; sepals large, stipulate, reflexed; petals smaller, sub-erect, stipulate; stigmas three, very forty-eight are known, all broad, petaloid. About from the north temperate zone. The roasted seeds of I. pseudacorus are like coffee. It is a diuretic purgative and emetic, as are I. tuberosa, I. versicolor,

Ir-id-ès-çençe, s. [As if from a Lat. *iridescens, pr. par. of *iridesco to become like a rainbow; iris (genit. iridis) = a rainbow.] The quality or state of being iridescent; exhibition of colors like those of the rainbow.

Ir-id-ĕs -çent, a. [IRIDESCENCE.] Prismatic, rainbow-like; exhibiting iridescence.

i-rid -l-an, a. [Latin iris, genit. irid (is) = the rainbow; Eng. adj. suff. -an.] Pertaining to the rainbow. (Annandale.)

I-rid-I-ō-, pref. [IRIDIUM.] (See the compound.) iridio-chlorides, s. pl. [IRIDIUM.] i-rid-i-o-scope, s. [Gr. iris (genit. iridos)=a rainbow, the iris, and skopeo to see, to observe.] An optical instrument which shows the inside of the eye, used to detect foreign substances and dis

ease.

i-rid -I-um, s. [Gr. iris the rainbow, and eidos= form, appearance.]

and I. verna. I. florentina

furnishes the violet-scented orris-root, which is slightly stimulating. It is used in the preparation of the sweet-scented otto of roses. I. ensata has been supposed to furnish the irisa root of India. Dr. Stewart says that it is used externally in the treatment of rheumatism. In Chumba the root and leaves are given in fever. The purple flowers of I. germanica and I. sibirica, treated with lime, furnish a green color. I. sibirica is anti-syphilitic; I. foetidissima is said to be a cure for scrofula.

The Peacock Iris is the genus Vieusseuxia, the Scorpion Iris I. alata, and the Snake's-head Iris I. tuberosa, or Hermodactylus tuberosus. The name iris is given to the genus because of the variety and beauty of the colors in the flowers. 3. Astron.: [ASTEROID, 7.] iris-diaphragm, s.

Optics: A contractile diaphragm, simulating the action of the natural iris, to regulate the size of the aperture in a microscope through which light passes.

iris-disease, s. A skin disease (herpes iris), appearing generally on the back of the hands, and especially affecting children and fair women. It extends in a radiated manner in different shades of red, whence the name iris.

iris-root, s.

Bot. & Comm.: The same as ORRIS-ROOT (q. v.). I-ris-at-ěd, a. [Eng. iris; -ated.] Exhibiting the prismatic colors; resembling the rainbow. to behold.] i-ri-scope, s. [Gr. iris the rainbow, and skopeo

1. Chem. A tetrad metallic element, symbol Ir.; atomic weight 198; discovered by Descotils in 1803, and by Tennant in 1804, in the black powder which remains when crude platinum is dissolved in nitrohydrochloric acid. This powder is an alloy of iridium and osmium, called iridosmine or osmiridium. To separate the iridium from the alloy, the black powder is mixed with an equal weight of dry sodium chloride, and heated to redness in a glass tube, through which a stream of moist chlorine gas is transmitted. The further end of the tube is connected with a vessel containing ammonia. Iridium chloride and osmium chloride are formed; the former remains in the tube in combination with the sodium chloride, while the latter, being a volatile substance, is carried forward into the receiver where it is decomposed into osmic and hydrochloric acids, which combine with the ammonia. The iridium and sodium chloride left in the tube is dissolved in water, mixed with an excess of sodium carbonate and evaporated to dryness. The residue, after ignition in a crucible, is reduced by hydrogen at a high temperature, and treated successively with water and concentrated hydrochloric acid, by which all impurities are removed, and the metallic iridium left in a finely divided state. Iridium is a white, brittle, very hard metal, fusible with great difficulty, in the flame of the oxy-hydrogen blowpipe. It is insoluble in all acids, but when reduced by hydrogen at a red heat it oxidizes slowly and dissolves in nitro-hydrochloric acid. Iridium forms four oxides -IrO, Ir 03, IrO2, and IrO3. The monoxide, or hypo-iridious oxide, IrO, is but little known. The sesquioxide, or iridious oxide, IrO3, is unstable, having a great tendency to absorb oxygen and become dioxide. The dioxide, or iridic oxide, IrO2, is the most easily prepared and the most stable. It is prepared by boiling a solution of iridic chloride with an alkali. The trioxide, or periridic oxide, IrO3, is unknown in the free state, but is found in combination with potash as a black crystalline powder, when iridium is fused with niter. Iridium forms four chlorides-IrCl, IrCl2, Ir Cle, and IrCl4but only two of them have been obtained in definite form-viz., the trichloride, or iridious chloride, IrCle, and the tetrachloride, or iridic chloride, Ir Iridious chloride combines with other metallic chlorides, forming compounds, called iridosochlorides, which are all olive-green pulverulent boll, boy; pout, jowl; cat, çell, chorus,

exhibiting the prismatic colors. It consists of a Mach.: An instrument invented by Dr. Reade for plate of polished black glass, having its surface smeared with a solution of soap, and dried by wash-leather. If the breath be directed through a tube upon the glass, the vapor will be deposited in colored rays.

i-rised, a. [Eng. iris; ed.] Containing colors like those of the rainbow.

Ïr-ish, a. & s. [A. S. yrisc.]
A. As adjective:

1. Pertaining to Ireland or its inhabitants; like an Irishman.

2. Pertaining to the Highlands of Scotland. [ERSE.]

B. As substantive:

Irish-elm, 8.

iron

Bot.: Ulmus montana nigra.

Irish famine-fever, s. [FAMINE-FEVER. Irish-furze, s.

Bot.: Ulex strictus.
Irish-heath, s.

Bot.: Menziesia polifolia.
Irish-moss, 8. [CARAGHEEN.]
Irish Presbyterian Church, s.

Ecclesiol. & Ch. Hist.: A Presbyterian Church, formerly called the Synod of Ulster, as having its strength mainly within that province of Ireland. James I., between 1609 and 1612, to colonize Ulster. Presbyterians, who came over by invitation of Its members are mostly descended from the Scotch [IRISH SOCIETY.] The Church still remains identical in doctrine with the Scottish Establishment. Irish Society, s.

English Hist.: A committee of citizens belonging to twelve London Companies, invited by James I. in 1613 to take part in cultivating the confiscated lands in Ulster, which, to the extent of 511,465 in large measure built Londonderry, though walls acres, had become vested in the Crown. The society and bastions had been erected there as early as 1609. They largely colonized the county of the same name, which was bestowed in honor of the twelve London companies. The full title of the society is the Honorable Irish Society.

Irish-whin, s. [IRISH-FURZE.]

Ir-ish-ism, s. [Eng. Irish; -ism.] A mode of expression or idiom peculiar to the Irish; an iricism.

Ir-Ish-man, s. [Eng. Irish, and man.] A native or naturalized inhabitant of Ireland.

Ir-ish-ry, s. [Eng. Irish; -ry.] The people of Ireland, as opposed to the English settlers, known as the Englishry.

"Choosing rather to trust the winds and waves than the exasperated Irishry."-Macaulay: Hist. Eng., ch. xii. ir-ite, s. [Lat. iris-Gr. iris-the rainbow; suff. ite (Min.) (q. v.).]

Min.: A variety of Chromate (q. v.).

suff. -itis (q.v.).] i-ri-tis, i-rid-I-tis, s. [Gr. iris (genit. iridos);

vascularity, change in color and appearance, irreg Path.: Inflammation of the iris, accompanied by ularity and immobility of the pupil, with a visible and varying amount of lymph deposited in, on, and round the iris.

*irk, *irk-en, *yrke, *irk-yn, v. t. & i. [Sw. yrka to urge, to press, from the same root as work and urge.]

A. Trans.: To tire; to weary; to be irksome or wearisome to. (Now only used impersonally.)

B. Intrans.: To grow or become tired or weary. îrk-some, *yrke-some, a. [Eng. irk; -some.] 1. Wearisome, tiring, tedious; tiresome by long continuance or repetition.

*2. Sorrowful, sad, weary. 3. Weary; tired.

Irk'-some-ly, *irk-som-ly, adv. [Eng. irksome; ly.] In an irksome, tedious, wearisome or tiresome manner.

Irk-some-ness, *yrke-som-nesse, s. [English irksome; -ness.] The quality or state of being irksome; tediousness, wearisomeness.

#yrun, *yzen, s. & a. [A. S., as subst., iren, gren, iron (as i-ern), *iren, *yren, *yrene, *yron, isen, irsern, as adj., iren, ýren, isen, isern; O. S. isarn; O. H. Ger. isarn, isan, isen; M. H. Ger. isen; N. H. Ger. eisen; Dut. ysen: Goth. eisarn; Icel. Gael., as subst., iaruinn, iaruach, as adj., iaruinn, jarn; Dan. & Sw. jern; Ir. iarran, earran, iarun; iaruach; Wel. haiarn; Arm. houarn.]

Ireland.

2. The Irish language.

*3. An old game resembling backgammon. Irish Church, s. [CHURCH OF IRELAND.] Irish-elk, s. [ELK.]

çhin, bench; go, gem; thin, this;

iron

ironstone. The ore is first calcined, to expel the water and carbonic acid and most of the sulphur, and to convert the oxides to peroxide, which prevents the waste of iron in the form of slag. The calcined ore is then smelted, with the addition of coke and limestone; the limestone unites with the silica present and forms a fusible slag, while the oxide of iron is reduced by the action of the carbon monoxide. [BLAST-FURNACE.] The iron thus obtained is called cast or pig iron, and is very impure. Pure iron is prepared by placing four parts of fine iron wire, cut in pieces, and one part of black oxide of iron in a Hessian crucible, and covering it with a mixture of white sand, lime, and potassium carbonate in the proportions used for glass-making; a cover is then closely applied and the crucible exposed to a very high temperature. Iron is a soft, tough, tenacious, malleable, ductile, white metal, not acted upon by dry air; but it rusts in moist air containing carbonic acid, forming a hydrate of the sesquioxide. When heated to redness in the air, it is coated with black magnetic oxide, Fe3O4. It burns in oxygen gas, black oxide being formed. Red-hot iron decomposes water, hydrogen being given off. Iron is magnetic; it is soluble in dilute hydrochloric acid and in dilute sulphuric acid with evolution of hydrogen. Iron unites with oxygen, forming ferrous oxide FeO and ferric oxide Fe2O3 Intermediate oxides are also known. The salts of iron have already been described. The alchemists represented it by the symbol of Mars 3. [FERROUS, FERRIC, WROUGHT-IRON, STEEL.]

3. Geol.: Iron is widely diffused through the rocks. Many are colored red by its oxides It is also deposited from ferruginous springs. [IRONORE; BOG IRON-ORE.]

4. Hist. Iron is mentioned in the Bible as early as Gen. iv. 22. Tubal Cain is described as having been an instructor of every artificer in brass (copper) and iron." On the sepulchers of the Egyptian Thebes, butchers are depicted as sharpening their knives on a round bar of metal which, from being blue, is assumed to be iron. The steel weapons in the time of Rameses III. are also painted blue. There are with them the representations of bronze weapons, which are painted red. [IRON AGE (2).] Iron ore is said to have been discovered in Mount Ida about B. C. 1406. The Romans early knew it. There is so much iron ore in India that it must have been known from remote times. Iron mines came into operation in Britain B. C. 54. The exportation of iron was prohibited by the British Government in 1354, and in 1483 the importation of such manufactured iron goods as could be made at home was forbidden. In 1713 Darby introduced the general use of coal instead of wood as fuel, a process which had been practiced by Lord Dudley in 1619. In 1783 Cort obtained a patent for rolling, and in 1784 for puddling iron. The hot blast was discovered by Dalton in 1827, and the Bessemer process for converting crude iron into manufactured iron and steel in 1856.

5. Min.: Native iron is found in masses or smaller portions in meteorites. It is nearly pure, still it contains one to twenty per cent. of nickel with traces of cobalt, manganese, tin, copper, chromium, phosphorus, &c. Whether uumeteoric native iron exists is doubtful. Specimens of ore so pure as to admit of direct forging into horseshoes have been mined at Shepherd's Mountain, in the Iron Mountain district of Missouri. [METEORITE.]

6. Pharm.: In the hæmatin or coloring matter of the blood 6 per cent. is iron. When anæmia oc curs, the administration of iron is of much use. It acts also on the nervous system. It often, however, causes constipation, and sometimes also stains the tongue and the teeth. It may be given in the form of reduced iron lozenges, saccharine carbonate of iron, compound mixture of iron, a pill of carbonate of iron, iodide of iron, &c.

=

=

2. Figuratively:

(1) Resembling iron in hardness. [IRON-BOUND.] "Though aged, he was so iron of limb, Few of our youth could cope with him." Byron: Siege of Corinth, xxv.

(2) In hardness and inflexibility. "While Erin yet Strove 'gainst the Saxon's iron bit." Scott: Rokeby, iv. 6. (3) In heaviness; in mental dullness. [IRONwITTED.]

"Him Death's iron sleep oppressed."-Philips. (4) In power of endurance, in permanence. (5) In absence of feeling.

(6) In wickedness. [IRON-AGE, 1.] (7) In wretchedness.

(1) In irons: With iron fetters on the hands, the feet, or both.

(2) To have many irons in the fire: To carry out many projects at the same time.

iron age, s.

of the world described by Hesiod, Ovid, &c. It was 1. Class. Mythol. The last of the four great ages supposed to be characterized by abounding oppression, vice, and misery.

2. Scientific archæol.: An age, the third in succes sion, in which weapons and many other implements began to be made of iron, stone having been used for these purposes in the first, and bronze in the second. As the advancement of each tribe or people is not necessarily at the same rate as that of their neighbors, the Iron Age probably did not begin everywhere simultaneously. In Denmark, and perhaps some of the adjacent regions, it may have commenced about the Christian era.

iron-bark, iron-bark tree, s.

Bot.: (1) Various Eucalypti: E. resinifera, E. leucoxylon, E. melanophloia, &c.; (2) Sideroxylon. iron-block, s. A tackle-block with an iron shell and strap.

iron-sheathed

iron-framed, a. Made or framed of iron; hardyiron-froth, s.

Min.: A variety of Hematite.

iron-furnace, s.

Metal.: A furnace in which iron-ore or the metal is exposed to heat. The purposes and construction are various.

iron-glance, s.

Min.: A crystallized variety of Hæmatite. Called also Specular Iron (q. v.).

iron-gray, a. & s.

A. As adj. Of a grayish hue, approximating to the color of freshly-fractured iron.

B. As subst.: A gray hue, approximating to the color of freshly-fractured iron.

*iron-handed, a. Harsh, severe, cruel. iron-hat, a.

Old armor: A head-piece of iron, made in the form of a hat, and worn from the twelfth to the seventeenth century; a steel-bat.

iron-hearted, a. Hard-hearted, harsh, unfeeling, cruel. "Think, ye masters iron-hearted, Lolling at your jovial boards." Cowper: Negro's Complaint.

iron-mask, s.

Hist.: A mask, not really of iron, but of black velvet, worn by a mysterious state prisoner in France in the seventeenth century. Who he was is an unsolved historical problem. iron-natrolite, s.

iron-cage, s.

Hist. A cage of iron for the confinement of criminals. Louis XI. of France imprisoned the Cardinal de Balue in one of eight feet square for an act of treachery and ingratitude.

iron-cased, a. Cased with iron; ironclad. iron-chamber, s.

Puddling: That portion of the puddling-furnace in which the iron is worked; the reverberatory chamber, the charge-chamber. iron-chlorides, s. pl. [FERRIC-CHLORIDE; FERROUS-CHLORIDE.]

iron-cross, s. A cross of iron.

Order of the Iron Cross: Her. & Hist.: A Prussian order of knighthood, instituted in 1813.

Min.: A dark-green, opaque variety of Natrolite,

iron.

iron-ocher, s.

Min.: A variety o. Hæmatite. iron-ore, s.

Min.: Various minerals containing so large an amount of iron in their composition as to be suitable for smelting. The chief are hæmatite, limonite, and clay-ironstone, which are found in extensive deposits in various parts of the world.

Argillaceous Iron-ore=Clay Ironstone (q. v.); Arsenicated Iron-ore Pharmacosiderite; Axotomous Iron-ore Menaccanite; for Bog Iron-ore, see BOG; Brown Iron-ore (1) Limonite, (2) Göthite; Calcareous Iron-ore=Siderite: Clay Iron-ore=Clay Ironstone; Green Iron-ore Dufrenite: Jaspery Iron-ore a jaspery-looking red variety of Clay Ironstone, and Lenticular Iron-ore=one with minute flattened concretions; Magnetic Iron-ore=Magnetite; Micaceous Iron-ore=Hæmatite; Ocherous Iron-ore (1) Hæmatite, (2) Gothite; Octahedral Iron-ore Magnetite; Pitchy Iron-ore Pitticite; ite; Specular Iron-ore-Hematite; Titaniferous Red Iron-ore=Hæmatite; Sparry Iron-ore=SiderIron-ore Menaccanite. (Dana.) iron-paper, s.

finest tissue-paper.

A name given to extremely thin

iron-pipe, s. A pipe or tube made of iron. iron-pyrites, s. [MENACCANITE.]

Iron-crown.

(1) Iron Alum Halotrichite; Iron and Manganese Tungstate=Wolfram; Iron Antimonial Sulphuret Berthierite; Iron Apatite = = Zwieselite; Iron Arsenate (1) Pharmacosiderite, (2) Scorodite; Iron Arsenide = Lölingite; Iron Borate = Ludwig ite or Lagonite; Iron Carbonate = Chalybite or Siderite; Iron Chromate Chromite; Iron Gymnite = Hydrophite; Iron Magnetic Oxide Magnetite; Iron Phosphate (1) Vivianite, (2) Ludlamite; Iron Pyrites Pyrites, or Pyrite (q. v.); Iron Sesquioxide (1) Hematite, (2) Göthite, (3) Limonite, (4) Turgite; Iron Silicate-Lievrite; Iron Sinter-Pit. ticite; Iron Sulphate-Melanterite; Iron Sulphide = (1) Pyrites, (2) Marcasite, (3) Pyrrhotite; Iron Tungstate=Wolfram; Iron Vitriol-Melanterite. (2) Carburet of Iron = : Graphite; Chloride of Iron Molysite; Columbate of Iron Tantalite; iron-fiddle, s. A number of pieces of iron wire, Cupreous Arsenate or Arseniate of Iron-Scorodite; of different lengths, fixed at one end, by whose Diarsenate of Iron = Pittacite; Magnetic Iron-ore vibration notes are produced. (Rossiter.) =Magnetite; Meteoric or Native Iron [II. 5]; Olairon-fisted, a. Close-fisted, niggardly, covetous, gist Iron-Hematite; Oxalate of Iron Humboldt- miserly. ine; Oxide of Iron-Hematite; Oxydulated Iron= Magnetite; Iron Sulphate = Melanterite; Tantalate of Iron Tantalite; Titaniferous Iron = Menaccanite.

with it at Milan on May 26, 1805. Napoleon I. was crowned

iron-earth, s. [BLUE IRON-EARTH.]

iron-founder, s. One who makes iron castings. iron-foundry, iron-foundery, s. A place where iron castings are made.

fate, făt, färe, or, wöre, wolf, work, 3

sir, marîne; gō, pot,

iron-shod

Iron-shod, a. Shod with iron. iron-shrub, s.

Bot.: Sauvagesia erecta.

iron-sulphates, s. pl. [FERRIC-SULPHATE, FERLOUS-EJLPHATE.]

iron-sulphides, s. pl. [FERROUS-SULPHIDE.] iron-tree, s.

Bot.: (1) Siderodendron, (2) Parrotia persica. iron-weed, s.

Bot.: The genus Vernonia.

*iron-witted, a. Unfeeling, insensible.

"I will converse with iron-witted fools." Shakesp.: Richard III., iv. 2.

iron (as i-ern), v. t. [IRON, 8.]

1. To furnish or arm with iron.

2. To shackle or fetter with irons; to handcuff. 3. To smooth with a smoothing-iron.

"Little starched Johnny Crown at his elbow he found, His cravat-string new ironed."

Rochester: Trial of the Poets for the Bays. iron-clăd (iron as i'-ern), s. & a. [Eng. iron, and clad.]

A. As subst.: A naval vesscl protected by iron plates.

The system of plating ships with iron was first tried on some of the French floating batteries used at Kinburn in 1855; but, though the results were satisfactory, no advance was made until 1858, when the French again took the lead with the "Gloire," but were quickly followed by the first Englisharmored vessels of the" Warrior" class, to which were added, to strengthen the ironclad fleet, altered

wooden line-of-battle ships, such as the "Royal Alfred," which were cut down and plated. All the early vessels were constructed of wood, but the later specimens have been built of iron framing, and few of the modern ships are alike. The first crucial test to which ironclad vessels were subjected, however, was reserved for the American navy to apply. An old wooden steam vessel, the "Merrimac," was razeed by the Southrons, and covered with iron (railroad rails, &c.), the sides sloping up to an apex like the acute angle formed by an old-time house roof. In addition to the iron plating thus applied, the ship was armed with a spur or point for the purpose of ramming the enemy's ships. Operations were begun against the federal war vessels in Hampton Roads, Virginia, in the early part of the year 1862, and as a result several of them were either sunk, battered, or run aground in their endeavors to escape from the formidable foe. After the "Cumberland" and " "Congress" had been irretrievably injured and the "Minnesota" run aground, the" Monitor," the first turreted ironclad ever used in active warfare, the production of Capt. John Ericsson, a Scandinavian denizen of the United States, appeared in the road. stead, and then began the first naval duel between ironclad vessels. Neither the "Virginia," as the "Merrimac had been rechristened, nor the "Monitor" was much injured in the fight, but owing to the less draught of the" Monitor" the Southern vessel was rendered practically useless and obso lete, and in a few days thereafter was run down the James River to Craney Island and sunk by Lieut. Chas. H. Hasker, an English naval officer who had immigrated to this country and joined the Confederate service. The "Virginia" was commanded by Capt. Frank Buchanan, while Lieut. John L. Worden commanded the "Monitor." During the engagement between the two vessels Lieut. Worden was seriously injured by fragments of a projectile which struck a grating through which he was look ing, the flakes of iron flying into his face and blinding him. The success of the "Monitor" gave rise to numerous vessels of the same type, the salient features of which were a low free board and a revolving turret, and practically revolutionized naval warfare. After honorable service the "Monitor" foundered off the North Carolina coast, along which she was being towed to one of the Southern ports. The "Warrior" had 4-inch iron plates tapering off to 3 inches toward bow and stern, but her steering gear was unprotected, and she had a projecting bow. The next pattern was protected throughout with armor of the same thickness, which covered the steering gear, and in these models the bow was made vertical or inclining in ward. At first the plates were bolted on teak, with a thin inner skin of iron, but later on this was strengthened by angle iron, and the plates have been steeled. The thickness ranges from 4%1⁄2 inches, with the Warrior" class, tapering to 3 inches at stem and stern, to about 3 feet with the Italian "Duilio." The next change was to thicken the belt

battery, the ends of which were also armored and along the water-line, and in front of a central gunpierced on the upper deck to fire fore and aft. In other cases the guns were held in turrets, either movable or fixed, on each side of the central line of the ship. In most instances the guns fire through

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port-holes in the battery, but in others they fire over it en barbette. A few ships have been constructed as sea-going vessels without masts or sails, their armor being 16 to 18 inches thick, and others represent the simple coast-defense type. There has been a tendency to reduce the number and increase the size of the guns carried, and to confine them in a central battery, while the ship is protected by a belt of armor along the water-line, above which is an iron-plated deck some inches thick. The ironclads of the American navy are varied in type, most of them being armored cruisers of extreme speed, and depending more upon celerity of movement than on heavy armor or armament. The French began with 4% inches of armor, gradually increasing the thickness to 22 inches with the "Admiral Duperré;" but the classes of war ships continually vary. Germany has gun boats of the "Wespe' class, carrying one gun, firing over a shield in the bows, but otherwise thinly plated; corvettes of the "Hansa" class, and frigates like the "Kaiser" with 10-inch armor. Russia's ironclads are not remarkable, except the circular "Popoffs," which, armored all round and flat-bottomed, are barely seaworthy. Italy has taken the lead in ships of the "Italia" type, which are low-freeboard vessels with turrets plated with 36 inches of iron, and a deck plate 21⁄2 inches thick.

plates of iron to resist artillery. B. As adj.: Armor-plated; strengthened with

iron-er (iron as i'-ern), s. [Eng. iron, v. ; -er.] One who irons.

*iron-flint (iron as I'-ern), s. [Eng. iron, and flint.] Min.: Ferruginous quartz.

Bot.: Centaurea nigra.

irradiate

iron-stōne (iron as I'-ern), s. [Eng. iron, and stone.]

Min.: A "stone" or mineral into the composition of which iron largely enters.

T (1) For Clay Ironstone, see CLAY.

(2) Blue Clay Ironstone=Vivianite; Brown Clay Ironstone exists in compact masses, or in concretionary nodules; it may be pisolitic or oðlitic. (Dana.)

Wedgwood to the ceramic art. The materials of ironstone-china, s. One of the contributions of the Staffordshire [English] ware are calcined flints and clay. The flints are burned in kilns, and then, cracked through their whole substance. They are while hot, plunged into water, by which they are then ground with water, in mills resembling the arrastra, to the consistence of cream. The clay, from Dorsetshire and Devonshire, is mixed with water, and in this state, as well as the flint, is passed The flint and clay are now mixed by measure, and through fine sieves to separate the grosser particles. the mixture is passed again through a sieve for better incorporation. In this state it is called slip, is in the pug-mill. Cups, pots, basins, and other evaporated to a proper consistence, and tempered round articles are turned rough on the horizontal potter's-wheel, and when half dried are again turned in a lathe. They are then fully dried in a stove, and polished up with coarse paper.

ware.] Tools, utensils, &c., made of iron. iron-wäre (iron as ī ́-ĕrn), s. [Eng. iron, and

iron-wood (iron as i'-ễrn), s. [Eng. iron, and wood.]

Bot.: (1) Sideroxylon (Loudon); (2) various species of Diospyros (ebony); (3) Metrosideros vera. and heads.] iron-heads (iron as I'-ern), s. pl. [Eng. iron, That of North America (1) Ostrya virginica, and (2) Carpinus americana, that of Jamaica Erythroxylon areolatum; that of New South Wales Argyrodendron trifoliatum; that of Tasmania, Notelæa ligustrina. Bastard ironwood is Xanthoxylon pterota, Black ironwood Olea undulata, and White Vepris lanceolata. (Treas. of Bot.)

i-ron-ic, i-ron-ic-al, a. [Fr. ironique, from Low Lat. ironicus, from Gr. eironikos dissembling; Ital. & Sp. ironico.] 1. Pertaining to, containing, or of the nature of irony; saying one thing and meaning another. 2. Addicted to or using irony. i-ron-ic-al-ly, adv. [Eng. ironical; -ly.] In an ironical manner; with irony. i-ron-ic-al-ness, s. [Eng. ironical; -ness.] The quality or state of being ironical. iron-ing (iron as i'-ern), pr. par., adj. & subst. [IRON, v.]

verb.) A. & B. As pr. par. & particip. adj.: (See the

C. As subst.: The act of smoothing clothes, &c., with an iron.

ironing-board, s.

Domestic: A board for laundry ironing, sometimes having a special shape, as for shirt-fronts, &c. [SLEEVE-BOARD.]

ironing-lathe, s.

ing blocks on which hats are mounted for ironing. Hat-making: A machine having mandrels carryironing-machine, subst. A machine for ironing clothes, &c. Specific forms are made for laundry work, for hat-ironing, for hosiery, and for tailors. Somewhat resembling iron." iron-ish (iron as I'-ern), a. [Eng. iron; -ish.]

i-ron-ist, s. [Eng, iron(y); -ist.] One given to using irony; one who deals in irony. "To send to the metaphorist for his allegories, to the ironist for his sarcasms, &c."-Martinus Scriblerus: Art of Sinking, ch. xiii.

iron-mas-ter (iron as i'-ern), s. master.] A manufacturer of iron.

[Eng. iron, and

iron-mold (iron as i'-ĕrn), s. [Eng. iron, and mold.] A spot on cloth caused by iron rust. iron-mold (iron as I-ern), v. t. [IRONMOLD, 8. To spot or stain cloth, &c., by touching it with

iron rust.

iron-mon-ger (iron as I'-ĕrn), s. [Eng. iron, and monger.] One who deals in iron wares or hard. ware.

iron-mon-ger-y (iron as I'-ern), s. [Eng. ironmongery. Ironware; hardware; such iron goods as are usually kept for sale in shops.

iron-sick (iron as ī ́-êrn), a. [Eng. iron, and sick.]

Naut.: A term applied to a ship when the bolts and nails have become so corroded or eaten with rust that she begins to leak.

iron-side (iron as i'-ern), s. [Eng. iron, and

Cromwell's army; a hardy veteran. side.] Originally one of the veteran soldiers of

iron smith (iron as i'-ern), s. [Eng. iron, and smith.] One who works in iron, as a blacksmith, locksmith, &c.

"After this I made a great heavy pestle or beater of the wood called ironwood.”—De Foe: Robinson Crusoe, pt. i. iron-work (iron as i'-ern), s. [Eng. iron, and work.]

1. Anything made of iron; a general term for those parts of a structure, vessel, carriage, &c., which are made of iron.

"The smashing of some of the ironwork, and the com

plete disablement of the steamer."-London Daily News.

2. (Pl.): An establishment where iron is manufactured, wrought, or cast into heavy work, as cannons, rails, &c.

iron-wort (iron as ī ́-ĕrn), s. [Eng. iron, and wort.]

Bot.: (1) Siderites; (2) Galeopsis ladanum.
¶ Yellow ironwort:

Bot.: Galeopsis villosa.

iron-y (iron as i'-ern), a. [Eng. iron; -y.]

1. Made or consisting of iron; containing iron. "The irony particles carried off."-Woodward: On Fos sils.

2. Resembling iron in any of its qualities or characteristics; as, an irony taste.

I'-rôn-ỹ, s. (Fr. ironie, from Lat. ironia, from Gr. eironeia-dissimulation, irony, from eirōn=a dissembler; properly the pr. par. of eiro to speak; Sp., Port., & Ital. ironia.] A mode of speech in which the meaning is contrary to the words. The intention is mildly to ridicule undue pretensions or absurd statements while nominally accepting them unquestionably.

*ïr-oŭs, a. [Eng. ir(e); -ous.] Angry, wrathful, choleric, passionate.

"An irous man, God send him litel might." Chaucer: C. T., 7,597. *îrp, *îrpe, s. [Etym. doubtful.] A grimace; a contortion of the body.

*irp, adv. [IRP, 8.] With grimaces or contortions.

Ir-ra-di-ançe, ir-rã-di-an-çй, s. [Lat. irradians, pr. par. of irradio to irradiate (q. v.).] 1. The quality or state of being irradiant; the act of irradiating; emission of rays of light upon any object.

2. That which irradiates or renders irradiant; that which is irradiated.

ir-ra-di-ant, a. [Lat. irradians, pr. par. of irradio.] Emitting beams of light; irradiating.

Ir-ra-di-āte, a. [Lat. irradiatus, pa. par. of irradio to cast beams on: ir-in--on, upon, and radius = a ray.] Irradiated, illumined; made brilliant or bright.

Ir-ra-di-āte, v. t. & i. [Fr. irradier; Sp. irra diar; Ital. irradiare.]

sin, aş; expect, Xenophon, exist. ph f.

A. Transitive:

I. Literally:

irradiation

1. To illuminate or shed a light upon by casting

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Ir-ră-tion-al-ness, s. [Eng. irrational; -ness.] The quality or state of being irrational; irrationality.

"Such, poets feign, irradiated all o'er

The sun's abode on India's utmost shore."
Cowper: Elegy iii. (Transl.)

2. To radiate into; to penetrate by radiation. "Ethereal or solar heat must digest, influence, irradiate, and put those more simple parts of matter into motion."-Hale: Origin of Mankind.

Optics, Astron., &c.: A curious phenomenon, in virtue of which a star or any bright object appears larger than it really is. If a thin platinum wire be intensely heated by the passage of an electric current, it seems to a person distant about fifty feet to be as thick as a pencil. In this way the sun's diameter looks larger than it is in the sky.

tir-rǎd-i-cāte, v. t. [Lat. ir- for in--in, on, and radicatus, pa. par. of radicor to take root; radix (genit. radicis)=a root.] To fix by the root; to fix firmly.

Ir-ră-tion-al, a. & s. [Latin irrationalis, from ir- for in--not, and rationalis=rational (q. v.); Fr. irrationel; Sp. irracional; Ital. irrazionale. [ A. As adjective:

I. Ordinary Language:

1. Void of reason or understanding.

"Discord first,

Daughter of Sin, among the irrational Death introduced." Milton: P. L., x. 708. 2. Not according to reason; contrary to reason; absurd.

"It is equally irrational and unjust to deny them the power of improving their minds as well as their fortunes." -Burke: On the Penal Laws against the Catholics.

II. Math. Any quantity which cannot be exactly expressed by an integral number, or by a vulgar fraction: thus, 2 is an irrational quantity, because we cannot write for it either an integral number or a vulgar fraction; we may, however, approximate to it as closely as may be desired. In general, every indicated root of an imperfect power of the degree indicated is irrational. Such quantities are often called surds.

B. As subst.: A person devoid of reason or understanding.

"For the poor shiftless irrationals.”—Derham: PhysicoTheology, bk. iv., ch. xii.

¶ Irrational is not so strong a term as foolish: it is applicable more frequently to the thing than to the person, to the principle than to the practice; foolish on the contrary is commonly applicable to the person as well as the thing; to the practice rather than the principle. (Crabb: Eng. Synon.) Ir-ră-tion-al-1 tỷ, s. [Eng, irrational; -ity.] The quality or state of being irrational; want of reason or understanding.

"Which would bring on us the charge of irrationality." Beattie: Moral Science, pt. iv., ch. ii.

Ir-ră -tion-al-1ỹ, adv. [Eng. irrational; -ly.] In an irrational manner; without reason; contrary to reason; absurdly.

"It may not irrationally be doubted."-Boyle: Works, d. 105.

fate, făt, färe, amidst,

refuted. (Coleridge.)

Ir-re-çĕp-tive, a. [Pref. ir--in- (2), and Eng. receptive (q. v.).] Not receptive; incapable of receiving.

ir-re-claim'-a-ble, a. [Pref. ir-in- (2), and Eng. reclaimable (q. v.).]

1. Incapable of being reclaimed; that cannot be reclaimed or recalled from error or vice; incapable of being reformed.

"This unthankful, this irreclaimable people of England."-Sharp: Sermons, vol. ii., ser. 1.

2. That cannot be reformed; inveterate. "Such irreclaimable inclinations to what is vitious."Glanvill: Pre-existence of Souls, ch. x.

*3. That cannot be checked or repressed; as, an irreclaimable fit of anger. (P. Holland.) ir-re-claim-a-bly, adv. [Eng. irreclaimab(le); ly. In an irreclaimable manner; so as not to ad mit of reformation; obstinately.

Ir-rec-og-niz-a-ble, a. [Pref. ir-=in- (2), and Eng. recognizable (q.v.).] Not recognizable; that cannot be recognized.

Ir-rec-in-çil-a-bil-Y-tỷ, 8. [Eng. irreconcilable; ity.] The quality or state of being irreconcilable; irreconcilableness.

Ir-rec-on-çil-a-ble, *ir-rec-on-çile-a-ble, a. & 8. [Fr. irréconciliable, from ir-in-=not, and réconcilier to reconcile; Sp. irreconcilable; Ital. irreconciliabile.]

A. As adjective:

"It is a proposition irrecusable."-Thomson: Laws of Thought, p. 138. Ir-rě-deem-a-bil'-i-tỷ, s. [Eng. irredeemable; -ity.] The quality or state of being irredeemable.

Ir-rě-deem -a-ble, adj. [Pref. ir-=in- (2), and Eng. redeemable (q.v.).] Not redeemable; not subject to be paid off at its nominal value. Applied especially to a depreciated currency.

Ir-rě-deem-a-ble-ness, s. [Eng. irredeemable; -ness.] The quality or state of being irredeemable;

ability.

"That which long since I wrote, of the irreconcileableness of Rome."-Bishop Hall: The Reconciler. (To the Reader.)

Ir-rec-on-çil-a-bly, adv. [English irreconcilab(le); -ly.] In an irreconcilable manner; in a manner not admitting of reconciliation.

"The doctors differ infinitely and irreconcileably." Bp. Taylor: Dissuasive from Popery, pt. i., § 6. Ir-rec-on-çile, v. t. [Pref. ir--in- (2), and Eng. reconciled. reconcile (q.v.).] To prevent or hinder from being

"As the object calls for our devotion, so it must needs

irreconcile us to sin."-Bp. Taylor: Life of Christ, iii. 15. Ir-rec-on-ciled, a. [Pref. ir-in- (2), and Eng. reconciled (q. v.).] Not atoned for, not expiated. die in many irreconciled iniqui

"If a servant ties."-Shakesp.: Henry V., iv. 1. Ir-rec-on-çile měnt, 8. [Pref. ir-=in- (2), and Eng. reconcilement (q. v.).] Want of reconciliation; irreconciliation.

"Such an irreconcilement between God and Mammon." wake.

Ir-rec-on-çil-I-à ́-tion, s. [Pref. ir-=in- (2), and Eng. reconciliation (q. v.).] Want of reconciliation, disagreement.

Ir-re-cord-a-ble, a. [Pref. ir- in- (2), and Eng. recordable (q.v.).] That cannot be recorded; incapable of being recorded; not fit to be recorded. Ir-re-cover-a-ble, a. [Pref. ir-=in- (2), and Eng, recoverable (q. v.).]

1. That cannot be recovered or regained; incapable of being recovered; not capable of being recalled.

2. Incapable of being remedied, restored, or made good; irreparable, irremediable."

"Gave apprehensions of some loss irrecoverable to the province of Holland."-Sir W. Temple: Memoirs, 1672-9. *3. Incapable of being escaped from or avoided. "Till they fall into irrecoverable damnation."-Bp. Hall: Occasional Meditations, § 63.

Ir-rě-deem-a-bly, adv. [Pref. ir=in- (2), and Eng. redeemably (q. v.).] So as not to be redeemed; irrecoverably, irreparably; beyond redemption or

recovery.

"But though past time be gone, we are not to consider it irredeemably lost."—Blair: Sermons, vol. iii., ser. 3.

Ir-rě-děnt -Ist, subst. & adj. [Ital. (Italia) irredent(a): ir-in-=not, and redenta, fem. of redento, pa. par. of redimere=to redeem; Eng. suff. -ist.]

A. As subst. In Italian politics, one of the party of the Left, in whose accession to office in 1876 the cry of "Italia Irredenta." and pledges in favor of the recovery of the unredeemed territory, were pow Trieste and the Trentino, in the occupation of erful factors. Unredeemed Italy was held to include Austria; the canton of Ticino, in Switzerland; and Nice and Malta, in the respective possession of France and England. The taking office by the Left was viewed with alarm in many countries, especially in Austria, where the precautionary measure was taken of strengthening and garrisoning the fortresses on the Italian frontier. The movement, however, had no solid foundation in the feeling of the Italian people.

"If the Italian Government has little to fear from the

Irredentists, the Austrian Government has still less."Saturday Review, Dec. 30, 1882, p. 845.

B. As adj.: Belonging to, or in any way connected with the Irredentists.

"An attack on the office of a newspaper which advocates

P. 234.

the Irredentist cause."-Saturday Review, Aug. 25, 1883, Ir-re-dûç'-i-ble, a. [Pref. ir-in- (2), and Eng. reducible (q. v.).], Not reducible; incapable of being reduced, or brought into a certain state, condition, or form.

"These observations seem to argue the corpuscles of air to be irreducible into water."-Boyle: Works, i. 50. ir-rě-duç -I-ble-ness, s. [English irreducible; -ness.] The quality or state of being irreducible. Ir-rě-duç -I-bly, adv. [Eng. irreducib(le); -ly.] In a manner not reducible; so as not to be redu cible.

ir rẻ đúc tì b¥1-1 tỷ, 8. [Eng. irreductible; -ity. The quality or state of being irreductible or irreducible.

Ir-rě-duc-ti-ble, a. [Pref. ir-in- (2), and Eng. reductible (q. v.).] Irreducible.

Ir-re flec-tion, s. [Pref. ir-=in- (2), and Eng. reflection (q. v.).] Want or absence of reflection. (Brougham.)

Ir-re-flěc-tive, a. [Pref. ir-in- (2), and Eng. reflective (q. v.).] Not reflective.

Ir-ref-ra-ga-bil-1-ty, s. [Fr. irréfragabilité, from irrefragable.] The quality or state of being irrefragable; irrefragableness.

pine, pit, sïre, sir, marîne; gō, pot, Sýrian. æ, œē

irrefragable

Ir-ref-ra-ga-ble, a. [Fr., from Lat. irrefragabilis not to be withstood: ir--in--not, and refragor to oppose, to withstand; Sp. irrefragable; Ital. irrefragabile. Not refragable; incapable of being refuted or confuted; undeniable, incontestable, indubitable.

"By these inscriptions of irrefragable and undeniable antiquity."-Evelyn: Sculptura. Ir-ref-ra-ga-ble-ness, s. [Eng. irrefragable; -ness.] The quality or state of being irrefragable; incapable of being refuted; incontestability. Ir-ref-ra-ga-bly, adv. [Eng. irrefragab(le); .] In an irrefragable manner; in a manner not admitting of being contested or refuted; with force

or strength above refutation.

"So dearly and irrefragably proved."-South: Sermons, vol. iv., ser. 6. Ir-re-från-gi-ble, a. [Pref. ir-in- (2), and Eng. refrangible (q. v.).] Not refrangible; not to be broken or violated.

Ir-re-fût-a-ble, ir-ref-u-ta-ble, a. [Pref. ir. =in- (2), and Eng, refutable (q. v.).] Incapable of being refuted or disproved.

"I can return to it a full and irrefutable answer."More: Antidote against Atheism. (Pref.)

Ir-re-fut-a-bly, Ir-ref-u-ta-blý, udv. [Eng. irrefutab(le); -ly.] In an irrefutable manner; so as not to be refuted; irrefragably. ir-re-gen -ĕr-a-cy, s.

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2. Palæont.: (See the several families.) irregular-reflection, s.

Optics: Reflection in all directions. Ir-reg -u-lar-ist, s. [Eng. irregular; -ist.] One who is irregular. (Baxter.)

irremoval

Ir-reg-u-lăr-I-tỷ, s. [Fr. irrégularité, from Lat. irregularis irregular (q.v.).

1. The quality or state of being irregular; deviation from regularity; want of regularity or conformity to established rules, usage, or practice; deviation from a straight line.

"I found it necessary to distinguish those irregularities that are inherent in our tongue."-Johnson: Eng. Dict. (Pref.)

2. That which is irregular; that which deviates from the rest; an inequality'; as, an irregularity on the surface. from moral rectitude; irregular, disorderly, or im3. A deviation from law, human or divine, or moral practices.

"He

[Pref. ir-in- (2), and

Ir-rě-gen-êr-à-tion, s. [Pref. ir-in- (2) Eng. regeneration (q. v.).] The quality or state of being regenerate; an irregenerate state.

Ir-reg-u-lar, a. & s. [Lat. irregularis: ir-=in=not, and regularis according to rule; regula=a rule; Fr. irrégulier; Sp. irregular; Ital. irregolare.]

A. As adjective:

I. Ordinary Language:

1. Not according to rule or common form; as, an irregular building.

2. Not according to established rules, principles, customs, or usage; as, irregular proceedings at a meeting.

3. Not according to the rules or principles of art; as, an irregular verse.

4. Not in conformity with the law; not strictly legal.

"The Declaration of Right, an instrument which was indeed revolutionary and irregular."--Macaulay: Hist. Eng., ch, xi.

5. Not conformable to nature, or the usual course of natural laws; unusual.

6. Not in conformity with the laws of moral rectitude; immoral, vicious; as, an irregular life. 7. Not straight, not direct.

8. Not uniform; as, irregular motion.

II. Technically:

1. Bot. (of a corolla, &c.): Having its symmetry destroyed by some inequality of parts, as the corolla of the horse-chestnut, that of the violet, &c.

2. Geom.: Applied to a figure, whether plane or solid, whose sides as well as angles are not all equal and similar among themselves.

3. Gram.: Deviating from the common or regular form in respect to the inflectional terminations. 4. Music: Applied to a cadence which does not end upon the tonic chord.

5. Mil.: Undisciplined; not embodied according to regular form; as, irregular cavalry.

6. Nat. Science: Not symmetrical; not according to the typical form of the species, genus, order, &c., to which it belongs.

B. As subst.: One who does not conform to established rule; specif., a soldier not under regular discipline. [A. ÎI. 5.Į

Crabb thus discriminates between irregular and disorderly: "Irregular, that is literally not regular, marks merely the absence of a good quality; disorderly, that is literally out of order, marks the presence of a positively bad quality. What is irregular may be so from the nature of the thing; what is disorderly is rendered so by some external circumstance. Things are planted irregularly for want of design; the best troops are apt to be disorderly in a long march. Irregular and disorderly are taken in a moral as well as a natural sense. irregular-bones, s. pl.

Anat.: Bones of a complex figure, as vertebrae. Generally they are situated along the median line of the body. Called also mixed bones.

irregular-echinoids, s. pl.

"The abodes of men irregularly massed." Wordsworth: Excursion, bk. viii. *Ir-reg-u-lāte, v. t. [Lat. ir-=in- (2)=not, and regulatus, pa. par. of regulo-to regulate (q.v.).] To make irregular, to throw out of order, to disorder.

*Ir-rĕg'-u-loŭs, a. [Lat. ir-in-=not; regula= a rule, and Eng. adj. suff. -ous.] Lawless, unprincipled, licentious. "Conspired with that irregulous devil, Cloten." Shakesp.: Cymbeline, iv. 2. Ir-re-jěct-a-ble, a. [Pref. ir--in- (2), and Eng. rejectable (q.v.).] That cannot be rejected. "The latter (Arminians) deny it to be irrejectable."Boyle: Works, i. 278.

Ir-re-lǎps-a-ble, a. [Pref. ir-=in- (2) ; English relaps(e), and -able.] Not liable to relapse. (More.) Ir-re-la -tion, s. [Pref. ir-=in- (2), and English relation (q. v.).] The quality or state of being irrelative; want of relation or connection. Ir-rěl-a-tive, a. & s. [Prefix ir-= in- (2), and Eng, relative (q.v.).]

A. As adj.: Not relative; not connected with other things; single, unconnected.

B. As subst.: That which is not relative or connected.

Ir-rěl-a-tive-ly, adv. [English irrelative; -ly.] Unconnectedly.

Ir-rěl -ě-vançe, ir-rěl ́-ě-van-çỹ, s. [English irrelevan(t); -cy.] The quality or state of being irrelevant; as, the irrelevance of an argument. Ir-rěl-ě-vant, a. [Prefix ir-=in- (2); English relevant (q.v.).] Not relevant; not applicable or pertinent; not serving to illustrate or support. Ir-rěl-ě-vant-ly, adv. [Eng. irrelevant; -ly.] In an irrelevant manner; not pertinently. Ir-re-liev-a-bie, a. [Pref. ir-=in- (2), and Eng. relievable (q. v.).] Not relievable; that cannot be relieved. ir-re-ligion, s. [Fr.] Want of religious feeling; contempt of religion; impiety, ungodliness. "The accusation of irreligion brought against him is

not sufficiently made out."-Jortin: Eccles. History.

religionist (q.v.).] One who is destitute of relig ir-re-lig-ion-ist, s. [Pref. ir--in- (2), and Eng. ious feeling; an irreligious or ungodly person.

Ir-re-ligious, a. [Fr. irréligieux, from Latin irreligiosus, from ir-in-= not, and religiosus-religious; Ital. & Sp. irreligioso.]

1. Destitute of religious feelings or principles; contemning religion; impious, ungodly.

2. Contrary to religion or religious principles; impious, ungodly, profane, wicked.

"To perform holy duties irreligiously.”—Milton: Civil Power in Eccles. Causes.

Ir-re-lig-ious-ness, s. [Eng. irreligious; -ness.] The quality or state of being irreligious; irreligion, ungodliness.

faneness."-Wilkins: Nat. Religion, bk. ii., ch. vi.

"More especially the sin of irreligiousness and pro

*Ir-re-mē -a-ble, a. [Lat. irremeabilis, from irin--not, and remeabilis= returning; remeo=to return: re-back, and meo-to go.] Admitting of no return; not permitting the retracing of one's steps. "Forbid to cross the irremeable flood." Pope: Homer's Iliad, xxiii. 92. Ir-re-mē ́-di-a-ble, a. [Fr., from Lat. irremediabilis, from ir-in-=not, and remediabilis=reme diable (q. v.); Sp. irremediable; Ital. irremedia bile.] 1. Incapable of being cured or healed; incurable. "Irremediable pains."-Rambler, No. 165.

2. Incapable of being remedied, corrected, or redressed.

"By deficiencies and inconveniences I here mean those things, which are wont to be complained of, and not irremediable."-Boyle: Works, iii., 350.

Ir-re-më-di-a-ble-ness, s. [Eng. irremediable; -ness.] The quality or state of being irremediable. ir-re-mē -di-a-bly, adv. [Eng. remediab(le); -ly.] In an irremediable manner; in a manner that precludes remedy or cure; incurably, irretrievably.

"Leave him irremediably in the condition he hath brought himself into."-Sharp: Sermons, vol. iii., ser. 11.

ir-re-miss-1-ble, *ir-re-miss-a-ble, a. [Fr., from Low Lat. irremissibilis, from ir--in--not, and remissibilis = that may or can be remitted, from cannot be remitted, forgiven, or pardoned; unparremissus, pa. par. of remitto-to remit (q. v.).] That donable.

"His other heresy that euery deadly sin after baptisme should be irremissible."-Sir T. More: Works, p. 544.

Ir-re-miss-i-ble-ness, s. [Eng. irremissible; -ness.] The quality or state of being irremissible. "Thence arises the aggravation and irremissibleness of

the sin against the Holy Ghost."-Hammond: Works, vol.

i., p. 467.

Ir-re-miss-I-bly, adv.

[Eng. irremissib(le); ly.] In an irremissible manner or degree; unpardonably.

Ir-re mis-sion (sion as shon), s. [Pref. ir-in(2), and Eng. remission (q. v.).] The act of refusing or delaying to remit or pardon. (Donne.)

Ir-re-mis-sive, a. [Pref. ir-in- (2), and Eng. remissive (q. v.).] Not remissive; not remitting; unforgiving.

Eng. remittable (q.v.). That cannot be remitted Ir-re-mit-ta-ble, adj. [Pref. ir-in- (2), and or forgiven; unpardonable.

Ir-re-môv-a-bil-i-ty, s. [Prefix irremovable; ity.] The quality or state of being irremovable. Ir-re-môv-a-ble, *ir-re move-a-ble, a. [Pref. ir-in- (2), and Eng. removable (q. v.).]

1. Not removable; that cannot be removed; immovable, unalterable.

"Constant devotion and irremovable pietie to his Prince."-P. Holland: Suetonius, p. 231.

2. Immovable, inflexible, determined. "Hee's irremovable, Resolved for flight."

Shakesp.: Winter's Tale, iv. 3. Ir-re-môv-a-ble-ness, s. [Eng. irremovable;

irremovability.

Ir-re-môv-a-bly, adv. [English irremovab(le); ly. In an irremovable manner; so as not to be moved; inflexibly, unalterably.

"But above all, so firmly and irremovably fixed to the profession of the true Protestant Religion."—Evelyn: Miscell. News from Brussels.

ir-re-môv-al, s. [Pref. ir-in- (2), and English removal (q. v.).] Absence or want of removal, the state of not being removed.

sin, aş; expect, Xenophon, exist. ph f. -sious shŭs. -ble, -dle, &c.