A tough old cowboy told his grandson that if he wanted to live a long life, the secret was to sprinkle a little gunpowder on his oatmeal every morning. The grandson did this religiously, and lived to the age of 93.
When he died he left 14 children, 28 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren… and a 15-foot hole in the wall of the crematorium.
- gross injustice. iniquitous adj. [french from latin aequus just]
INITIATE
—v. (-ting) 1 begin; set going; originate.
- a admit (a person) into a society, office, etc., esp. With a ritual. B instruct (a person) in a subject. —n. (esp. Newly) initiated person. initiation n. Initiator n. Initiatory adj. [latin initium beginning]
INKSTAND
n. Stand for one or more ink bottles.
INNOCENT
—adj. - free from moral wrong.
- (usu. Foll. By of) not guilty (of a crime etc.).
- simple; guileless.
- harmless. —n. Innocent person, esp. A young child. innocence n. Innocently adv. [latin noceo hurt]
INNOVATE
v. (-ting) bring in new methods, ideas, etc.; make changes. innovation n. Innovative adj. Innovator n. Innovatory adj. [latin novus new]
INNUENDO
n. (pl. -es or -s) allusive remark or hint, usu. Disparaging or with a double meaning. [latin, = by nodding at: related to *in-2, nuo nod]
INSCRIBE
v. (-bing) 1 a (usu. Foll. By in, on) write or carve (words etc.) On a surface, page, etc. B (usu. Foll. By with) mark (a surface) with characters.
- (usu. Foll. By to) write an informal dedication in or on (a book etc.).
- enter the name of (a person) on a list or in a book.
- geom. Draw (a figure) within another so that points of it lie on the boundary of the other. [latin scribo write]
INSECURE
adj. - a unsafe; not firm. B (of a surface etc.) Liable to give way.
