inflammatory(in FLAM uh TAW ree) adj.1. causing or likely to cause anger,
excitement, violence, etc.; 2. of or characterized by redness as a reaction by the
body to some irritant
- The revolutionary’s speech was inflammatoryand was calculated to incite
the crowd to action. - Poison ivy is inflammatoryto the skin of anyone who is allergic to it.
[inflammatorily adv.]
influence(IN floo INS) n.1. the ability of a person(s) or thing(s) to affect oth-
ers as evidenced by the effect; 2. the power of persons of wealth or high status to
cause immediate change —vt.to effect the behavior, development, nature, etc. of
others - Harold’s influencewas evident in Marcy’s choice of chocolate layer cake.
- Billionaire Vilo Kvetch used his influenceto get a No Parking sign installed
in front of his Park Avenue mansion. - It is easy to see sunlight influencethe direction in which day lilies face as
they follow it across the sky.
[-d, influencing] [Syn. power]
information (IN foer MAY shin) n.1. a telling of or being told something; 2.
something learned; news; intelligence; 3. facts; data; lore - Iris just got the latest informationfrom the travel agent.
- The more informationyou have on a subject, the easier it is to make an
intelligent choice. - Telephone informationcan be obtained (for a fee) by dialing one of several
sources.
inhibit*(in HIB it) vt.1. to restrain or hold back from some action; 2. to keep
back; keep in check - Smoking cigarettes tends to inhibitone’s ability to participate in strenuous
sports. - Fear of needles inhibitsmany people from volunteering to donate blood.
[-ed, -ing, -ion n.] [Syn. restrain, retard]
innocuous (in AHK yoo is) adj.1. that does no harm or injury; harmless; 2. not
controversial or oppressive; innocent; uninspiring and dull - The butterfly is an innocuousinsect that hurts neither plant nor animal.
- The president’s speech was innocuous,treading on nobody’s toes and gener-
ally boring the audience to sleep.
136 Essential Vocabulary