investigator (in VEST i GAY tir) n.a person who gathers information, confi-
dential and otherwise, for an individual, a company, or an organization (govern-
mental or other)
- When someone has an auto accident, the insuranceinvestigator’sjob is to
find out what or who caused the accident. - Many detective stories have been written about fictional private investiga-
torswho are for hire.
invigorate (in VIG uh RAYT) vt.to fill with energy or vigor; to enliven - A brisk walk after dinner often serves to invigorateone.
- Sailors claim that nothing invigorateslike a sea breeze.
[-d, invigorating*] [Syn. animate]
inviolable (in VY uh li bl) adj.1. not to be profaned, injured, or violated;
sacred; 2. unable to be violated; indestructible - The Geneva Conventions contain certain inviolablerules for the humane
treatment of prisoners of war. - The laws of nature are the only rules on earth that are truly inviolable.
iridescent(I rid ES int) adj.having or showing a rainbow of colors that shift as
it is looked at from different angles - An abalone shell lying on the beach seems to have an iridescentgleam
when struck by a bright light. - Metallic car finishes often appear iridescentin sunlight.
ironic(ay RAH nik) adj.1. meaning the opposite of what is said; 2. given to
saying the opposite of what one means - Isn’t it ironichow Kenny always does the opposite of what he says he’s
going to do? - Reverse psychology is ironicin that one tells the child to do the exact
opposite of the desired behavior.
[-ally adv.]
irrational(i RASH in uhl) adj.1. lacking the power to reason; 2. unreasonable;
absurd; senseless - There is no point in arguing with two-year-olds because they are almost
always irrational. - Adele’s irrationalbehavior led to her being taken to the psychiatrist for
examination.
[-ly adv., -ity n.] [Syn. unreasonable]
irrelevant(i REL iv ent) adj.not relating to the subject; not pertinent; not to
the point - When the doctor asked you whether you had any allergies, your reply
about what your grandmother used to cook was completely irrelevant. - When purchasing a sport jacket, the size of your feet is irrelevant.
[-ly adv., irrelevance n.]
I: SAT Words 143