Imperceptible 
He | Mrrschcl ] was (an he said himself) led on by almost 
imperceptible degrees from evident clusters, such as the 
I'll 'hides, tu spots ivithciut a trace of stellar formation. 
A. H. Clerke, Astron. in IWh Cent, p. 28. 
Imperceptible increase, that kind or rate of progress 
which cannot be perceived by inspection, unless inspec- 
tion he nmih 1 at tlill'H nt times HO as to compare the differ- 
cut stages of progress : thus used in the law of accretion. 
II. . That which cannot be perceived with 
the naked eye, or realized by sensation. [Rare.] 
I should be wonderfully pleased to see a natural history 
of imixrcrptiUtu, Tatter, Ho. 119. 
imperceptibleness (im-per-sep'ti-bl-nes), . 
The quality of being imperceptible. 
imperceptibly (im-per-sep'ti-bli), adv. In an 
imperceptible manner; so as not to be per- 
ceived. 
imperception (im-per-sep'shon), K. [< ix- 8 + 
fa rcepWON.] Want of perception. 
Why then may not a spirit that has subtiler lingers 
than the finest matter, I mean the spirit of Nature, lay 
hold on that imperceptive part of the soul, or ou the soul 
itself, in the state of silence, of impcrception? 
Dr. U. More, Philos. Writings, Gen. Prof. 
No one, not even Sydney Smith's Scotchman, is willing 
to confess his imperception of humor. Science, XII. 305. 
imperceptive (im-per-sep'tiv), a. [< -S + 
perceptive. ] Not perceiving, or not able to per- 
ceive. 
Ye would gaze on Qod 
With imperceptive blankness. 
Mm. Browning. 
Thus both conceived perceptivity to arise from a certain 
combination or aggregation of imperceptive particles. 
A. Tucker, Light of Nature, II. i. 9. 
impercipient (irn-per-sip'i-ent), a. [< in- 3 + 
percipient.] Not perceiving; having no power 
to perceive. 
The insensible, impercipient body. 
Mind, No. 85, July, 1884. 
imperdibilityt (im-per-di-bil'i-ti), n. [< im- 
perdible : see -bilityT] The state or quality of 
being imperdible. 
Neither are those precious things of greater use to the 
making of vessels and utensils, unless some little niceties 
and curiosities, by means of their beauty, imperdibility, 
and ductility. Derham, Physico- Theology, v. 9, note 5. 
imperdible (im-per'di-bl), a. [= Sp. imperdi- 
ble; cf. P. imperdable: < L. in- priv. + *perdi- 
bilis, that may be lost, < perdere, lose: see per- 
dition.] Not capable of being lost; not easy 
to be lost. 
But as they [wisdom and knowledge] are harder in 
their acquisition, so are they more imperdible and steady 
in their stay. Feltham, On Eccles., ii. 11. 
imperence (im'pe-rens), '. A vulgar corrup- 
tion of impertinence. 
imperfect (im-per'fekt), a. and n. [In mod. 
use altered (like perfect) to suit the orig. L. ; 
< ME. imparfit, iiiparfit, inperfit, < OF. impar- 
fcit, F. imparfait = Sp. imperfecto = Pg. im- 
lierfeito = It. imperfetto, < L. imperfects, in- 
perfectiis, unfinished, incomplete, < in- priv. + 
perfectus, finished, complete, perfect : see per- 
fect.] I. a. 1. Not perfect; lacking complete- 
ness, correctness, or excellence ; falling short 
of a standard or ideal; defective; incmnplete: 
as, an imperfect copy of a book; imperfect 
vision. 
Upon this foreseide plate ben compassed certein cerclis 
that hihten almicanteras, of which spin of hem semen 
peril t circles and soinme semen inpcrjit. Chaucer. 
Something he left imperfect in the state, . . . which 
Imports to the kingdom so much fear and danger that 
his personal return was most required. Shak., Lear, iv. 3. 
He stammered like a child, or an amazed imperfect 
person. Jer. Taylor. 
We ascended the hills to the south, passing by several 
grots, on which there were some very imperfect remains 
of Greek inscriptions. 
Pococke, Description of the East, II. L 146. 
2. Characterized by or subject to defects ; not 
completely good ; frail ; inadequate. 
My prayers and alms, im)ierff.ct and defll'd, 
Were but the feeble efforts of a child. 
din-in -r, Truth, 1. 577. 
As year succeeds to year, the more 
Imperfect life's fruition seems. 
Locker, Reply to a Letter. 
3. In gram., designating incomplete or contin- 
uous action, or action or condition conceived 
as in process when something else takes place, 
as in Latin iiiiinliitt, French aiiiiait, Greek t/.ve, 
as distinguished from the simple past forms 
(aoristic), without further implication, iiiinirit, 
ill inn, tivae. In the languages must lamilbr to us only 
past time is thus distinguished : and hence the English 
simple past tense, or preterit, is often, but improperly, 
called imperfect. 
4. In Hii/A-iV. See the phrases below. 6f. Un- 
just; unfair. 
3007 
The! wllnen and wolde as best were for hemselue, 
Xhauh the kyng and the commie al the cost hadde, 
Al reson reproueth such imparfit jpuple. 
Fieri Plowman (C), Iv. 889. 
Imperfect cadence. See codence. imperfect demon- 
stration. See a potteriori. Imperfect evolute. See 
civi/u/r. Imperfect flower, In '*''., a flower wanting cer- 
tain parte that are usually present, as one wanting either 
stamens or pistils. Imperfect intervals, in mu*ir, in- 
tervals a half-step shorter than perfect intervals, as imper- 
fect fourths or (if ths. Imperfect measure, rhythm, 
time, in medieval music, all non-triple rhythms. Im- 
perfect melody. See melody. imperfect metamor- 
phosis, in fntom., a metamorphosis in which the pupa- 
sUtge is not well marked, the Insect remaining active 
and gradually changing its external form in successive 
molts. Also called incomplete metamorphoti*. Imper- 
fect mouth, in entom., a mouth in which some of the 
trophi are partly or wholly aborted, or so modified as not to 
be apparent: a term applied by Kirby to the mouths of 
all suctorial Insects. Imperfect note. See note. Im- 
perfect number, a number whose aliquot parts added 
together make a sum either greater or less than the num- 
ber itself, and which is called an abundant number in the 
former case and a defective number in the latter. Im- 
perfect proof, a proof in which some essential part, espe- 
cially a premise, is unexpressed. Imperfect stop, in 
ortian-buildiny, an incomplete stop. = 8yn. 1. Incomplete, 
faulty. 2. Weak, erring. 
II. n. In gram., an imperfect tense; a past 
continuous tense. 
imperfectt (im-per-fekt'), v. t. [< imperfect, a.] 
To render imperfect. 
I withdrew myself to think of this ; and the intense- 
ness of my thinking ends in this, that by my help God's 
work should be imperfected, if by any means I resisted 
the amazement. Donne, Letters, cxxiv. 
imperfectibility (im-per-fek-ti-bil'i-ti), n. [= 
F. imperfectibihU = Pg. imperfectibilidade; as 
imperfectible + -ity : see -bility.] The state or 
condition of being imperfectible or incapable 
of perfection. Imp. Diet., Supp. 
imperfectible (im-per-fek'ti-bl), a. [= F. im- 
perfectible = Sp. imperfectible = Pg. imperfecti- 
i'el; as tn-3 + perfectible.] Incapable of being 
made perfect. Imp. Diet., Supp. 
imperfection (im-p^r-fek'shon), n. [< ME. im- 
perfeccioun, < OF. imperfection, F. imperfection 
= Sp. imperfeccion = Pg. imperfeic&o = It. im- 
perfezione, < LL. imperfectio(n-), inperfectio(n-), 
imperfection, < L. imperfcctus, inperfectus, im- 
perfect: see imperfect.'] 1. The character or 
condition of being imperfect ; want of perfec- 
tion; def ectiveness ; faultiness. 
Laws, as all other things human, are many times full 
of imperfection. Hooker, Eccles. Polity. 
2. An imperfect detail; a particular in which 
perfection is lacking ; a defect, physical, men- 
tal, or moral. 
Gretly [wrong] is it might, hurtyng no reson, 
By no menes of imperfeccion. 
Rom. ofPartenay (E. E. T. 8.), 1. 0678. 
Euery man may decently reforme by arte the faultes 
and imperfection* that nature hath wrought in them. 
Puttenham, Arte of Eng. Poesie, p. 240. 
Sent to my account 
With all my imperfection! on my head. 
Shak., Hamlet, i. 5. 
= Syn. Defect, deficiency. Incompleteness, fault, failing, 
weakness, frailty, foible, blemish, vjce. 
imperfectly (im-per'fekt-li), adv. In an im- 
perfect manner or degree; not fully or com- 
pletely. 
imperfectness (im-per'fekt-nes), n. The state 
or quality of being imperfect. 
We cannot do our works so perfectly, by the reason of 
our corrupt flesh, but that there is some imperfectnen 
therein, as in the works of them that be not their crafts- 
master. 
Tyndalf, Ans. to Sir T. More, etc. (Parker Soc., 1860X 
[p. 178. 
imperforable (im-per'fo-ra-bl), a. [= Pg. im- 
perforarel, < L. in- priv. T *perforabilis, \ per- 
forare, perforate: see perforate.] Incapable 
of being perforated or bored through. 
Imperforata (im-per-fo-ra'ta), n. pi. [NL., 
neut. pi. of imperforatns : see imperforate.] A 
division of the Foraminifera, including such 
families as Gromiidte, Lituolida; and MilMida; 
in which pseudopodia protrude from only one 
end of the body, the rest of which is incased in 
an imperforate membranous or hardened exo- 
skeleton: opposed to Perforata. 
imperforate (Im-pto'ffl-riw), a. [< NL. imper- 
foratus, < L. in- priv. -I- perforates, pp. of per- 
forare, perforate: see perforate, a.] Not per- 
forated; having no perforations, foramina, or 
pores; atresial; in zool., specifically, of or per- 
taining to the Imprrfuruta Imperforate ear- 
shells, shells of an ear-like form like SaUattl, but with- 
out perforations, such as Stnmalta, Si'.inn'tus. etc., for- 
merly supposed to be related to the ear-shells (ffaliotid(e\ 
but now known to be very remote from them. 
imperforated (im-per'fo-ra-ted), a. Imperfo- 
rate. [Rare.] 
imperialism 
imperforation (im-per-to-ra'shon),H. [=F.<m- 
" = Sp. imperforai'uiii = It. imperfara- 
zione; as imperforate + -ion.] The state of be- 
ing imperforate or without aperture. [Rare.! 
imperial (im-pe'ri-al), a. and i. [Early mod. 
!;. :i]-n I'lii/'i-i-nil ; < MK. imperial, emperial, cm- 
perale, < OF. imperial, cmia-rial, !'. imperial = 
Pr. emperial, imperiau, enperiau = Sp. Pg. im- 
perial = It. imperiale, < L. imperialis, inperialis, 
of the empire or emperor, < imperium, inrterium, 
empire: see imperatc, empire, j I. a. 1. Of or 
pertaining to an empire, or to an emperor or 
empress. 
He hlmselfe sate much higher then any of his nobles in a 
chain- gilt, and in a long garment of beaten golde, with an 
emperial crowne vpon his head, llaklityt'e Voyayci, I. 233. 
Now Sabrlne, as a Queen, miraculously fair, 
Is absolutely plac'd In her Kmpciial Chair 
Of crystal richly wrought. Drayton, Polyolbion, T. 2. 
My due, from thee, Is this imperial crown. 
Shak., 2 Hen. IV., IT. 4. 
The imperial ensign, which, full high advanced. 
Shone like a meteor. Milton, P. L., i. 6S6. 
2. Of or pertaining to supreme authority, or to 
one who wields it; sovereign; supreme; august; 
commanding. 
The philosophre despised hys coinage, 
He thowght vertu was more imperialle. 
Political Poemn, etc. (ed. Furnivall), p. 27. 
I ne myhte nat knowen what that womman was of so 
imperial auctorlte. Chaucer, Bocthius, I. prose 1. 
3. Fit or suitable for an emperor; hence, of 
imposing size or excellence. 
Bid harbours open, public ways extend ; . . . 
These are imperial works, and worthy kings. 
Pope, Moral Essays, IT. 204. 
Imperial blue. Same as spirit-Hue. imperial Cham- 
ber, in the old German empire, a superior court of justice 
established by Maximilian I. in 14X5. Imperial City. 
(<i) [rap.] Rome, as the capital of the Roman empire, (o) 
In the old German empire, a city directly subordinate 
to the empire, having a seat and Tote in the Reichstag. 
The constitutions of such cities varied greatly, some being 
democratic and others aristocratic, of the fifty-one im- 
perial cities existing in the eighteenth century, nearly all 
lost their practical independence in IfcOS, and were an- 
nexed to other states. Three of them Hamburg, Bremen, 
and Lubeck are members of the modern G ennan empire. 
Imperial dome or roof, in arch., a dome or roof of 
which the form is generated by the revolution around the 
apex of the dome of an ogee curve of which the concave 
arc is directed toward the apex. Imperial drink. See 
drink. imperial folio. See folio, 4. imperial inflic- 
tion. See imtiction, 2 (b). Imperial paper. See II., 
(i. Imperial Parliament, the Parliament of the Brit- 
ish empire : so called since the legislative union of Great 
Britain and Ireland, January 1st, 1801. Imperial pound, 
yard, gallon, etc., the new pound, yard, gallon, etc., of 
Great Britain. Imperial problem, the problem to di- 
vide a circumference into four equal parts by the com- 
passes alone : so called because proposed and solved by 
Napoleon L, emperor of the French. Imperial yellow 
porcelain, in ceram., a variety of Chinese porcelain hav- 
ing a uniform yellow glaze, said to be reserved for the use 
of the imperial family or court. The name is also loosely 
given to porcelain of any make supposed to resemble the 
preceding in color. 
II. . 1. A gold coin issued by imperial 
authority; specifically, a Russian gold coin 
of the eighteenth century, of the value of 10 
rubles. The half-imperial, of 5 rubles, is still 
coined. 2. In arch., an imperial roof or dome. 
3. The top of a carriage, especially of a dili- 
gence ; hence, a case for luggage carried on the 
top of a coach. 
The trunks were fastened upon the carriages, the impe- 
rial was carrying out. Mia Edgeworth, Belinda, xxv. 
Couriers and ladies' -maids, imperials and travelling car- 
riages, are an abomination to me. 
T. Hughe*, Tom Brown at Rugby, L 1. 
4. A small part of the beard left growing from 
the middle of the chin near the under lip, the 
rest being shaved off: so called from the em- 
peror Napoleon III., who wore his beard in this 
way. 5. Anything of unusual size or excel- 
lence, as a large decanter, etc. 6. A size of 
writing-paper, 22 X 30 inches ; also, a size of 
printing-paper, 22 X 32 inches. 7. A size of 
slates, 2 feet wide and from 1 foot to 2J feet in 
length. 8t. A rich fabric in use throughout the 
middle ages, the material and nature of which 
are unknown, except that it was often enriched 
by the use of gold. 9f. A game at cards rnen- 
tioned as having been played by Henry VIII. 
Halliwcll. 10. A beverage made by dissolving 
half an ounce of cream-of-tartar in three pints 
of boiling water, and adding four ounces of 
white sugar and half an ounce of fresh lemon- 
peel. Double Imperial, a size of printing-paper mea- 
suring 32 x 44 inches Half Imperial, a siie of heavy 
paper or mill-board, i'U x 16j inches. 
imperialism (im-pe'ri-al-izm), n. [= F. impc- 
rialixmt: = Sp. Pg. imperialisnio; as imperial + 
-(.).] 1 . Impenal state or authority ; the sys- 
tem of imperial government. 
