impermanent(im POER mi nint) adj.not lasting; temporary; fleeting- A snowman is a rather impermanenttype of statuary—especially in
Maryland. - Weather differs from climate in that the former is an impermanent
condition.
[-ly adv., impermanence n.]
impetuous*(im PET you is) adj.acting or done suddenly, with little thought;
sudden; rash; impulsive - Janet’s volunteering to join the posse was an impetuousact on her part and
took everyone by surprise. - Buddy was impetuouswhen he suddenly joined the army, and he had two
years to reflect on the act.
[-ly adv., -ness n.] [Syn. sudden]
impious(IM pee uhs) adj.1. lacking reverence for God; 2. lacking respect or
sense of obligation toward one’s parents - When Bill made impiousremarks, he was rebuked by Sister Kathleen.
- It was impiousof Cara to abandon her father to a state-run nursing facility
and wash her hands of him.
[-ly adv., -ness n.]
implement(IM pli MINT) vt.1. to put into effect; to fulfill; accomplish; 2. to
give the means of carrying out something —n.1. a tool, utensil, or device used to
accomplish some task; 2. any tool or person used to accomplish some end - It took some restaurateurs weeks to implementthe ban on smoking in
restaurants. - Airline pilots will be trained in the use of firearms to implementthe new
aircraft security policy. - A spade is only one implementused in gardening.
- An electric drill is the preferred hole-boring woodworking implement.
[-ed, -ing, -ation* n.]
implication (IM pli KAY shn) n.1. an involvement or connection with some-
thing, such as a crime; 2. a showing to be involved with something; 3. something
implied, from which an inference can be made - Charlie’s lawyer agreed to his client’s giving testimony in exchange for the
prosecution’s dropping any implicationthat Charlie had been involved in
the crime. - I resent your implicationthat I had any connection to your home’s having
been vandalized. - The seller made no implicationthat could be construed as a warranty, other
than that provided by the manufacturer.
imply(im PLY) vt.1. to suggest; indicate indirectly; hint; intimate; 2. to involve
naturally; to have as a needed condition or part - Jack did not mean to implythat you lacked intelligence.
- Your having taken the bicycle from the park impliesthat the bicycle was in
the park in the first place.
[implied, -ing, implies pl.] [Syn. suggest]
130 Essential Vocabulary