insight (IN syt) n.1. the ability to intuitively grasp the inner nature of things;- a clear understanding of the inner nature of a certain thing
- Henry’s insightmade it possible for him to tell the quality of any cabinet’s
construction. - Lois’s long experience with cats and dogs gave her insightinto why Libby
was whining and whether to call the vet.
[-ful adj., -fully adv.]
insipid(in SIP id) adj.1. tasteless; unflavored; 2. dull; lifeless; lacking tang or zest
- Henry’s insightmade it possible for him to tell the quality of any cabinet’s
- The lukewarm cup of weak tea was absolutely insipidwithout lemon or
sugar. - Byron had an insipidpersonality, sort of like a piece of wet toast.
- Last night’s insipidparty’s most exciting moment was its ending.
[-ly adv.] [Syn. banal, vapid, flat; Ant. zestful, spicy]
insolent (IN suh lint) adj.strongly disrespectful; impertinent; impudent in
speech and behavior- Jack was expelled from school for being insolentwith his teachers and with
the school administrators. - Insolentbehavior while in the armed services is a sure ticket to the brig.
[-ly adv., insolence n.] [Syn. impertinent, proud]
instill(ins TIL) vt.to put in little by little, or drop by drop; to impart a thought,
idea, principle, etc. gradually - It takes many lessons to instilla child with the proper way to treat other
people. - Farah was not quick to grasp the principles of driving a car, and it took her
instructor 25 lessons to instillthe skills she needed to pass her licensing exam.
[-ed, -ing, -ment n.]
institution(IN sti TOO shin) n.1. an established law, custom, etc.; 2. an insti-
tuting establishment; 3. an organization having a public character, such as a
school, church, bank, etc.; 4. the building housing such an organization - The Bill of Rights is an institutionthat has survived many assaults by law-
makers over the years. - The institutionof daylight saving time is not observed in all the contiguous
48 states. - An institutionof higher learning is ideally a place for a free exchange of ideas.
- The savings and loan institutionis on the corner of Third and Main streets.
instrument(IN struh mint) n.1. a tool; something or someone used to do
something; 2. any of many kinds of devices used to measure (temperature, wind,
electricity, etc.); 3. a device that produces a musical sound; 4. a legal document - A spading fork might well be the most versatile garden instrument.
- A pilot’s instrumentstell the speed and altitude of the aircraft as well as the
plane’s attitude. - When asked to choose an instrumentto play, Benny picked the clarinet.
- A letter of credit is a financial instrument.
[-al adj., -ally adv.] [Syn. implement]
- Jack was expelled from school for being insolentwith his teachers and with
138 Essential Vocabulary