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iconoclast(y KON uh KLAST) n. someone who attacks and seeks to destroy
widely accepted ideas, beliefs, and so on
- Our country’s founders could be called iconoclastsfor attacking the idea of
monarchy. - To evolutionists, creationists can seem to be iconoclastswho seek to destroy
the theories of evolution; the reverse is seen by the creationists.
[-ic adj., -ically adv.]
idyll(Y dil) n. 1. a narrative poem, like a short epic; 2. a pastoral poem or prose
work; a work describing a picturesque country scene - Tennyson’s “Idyllsof the King” falls into the first category as a short epic-
type poem. - Beethoven’s “Pastoral Symphony” (No. 6) could be called an idyllexpressed
in music.
[-ic adj., -ically adv.]
igneous(IG nee uhs) adj. fiery; formed by heat, especially formed by volcanic
action - Granite is an igneousrock.
- Basalt is another igneousrock that is formed in sheets.
- Marble is not igneousbut is a metamorphic rock that began as limestone
and had its form changed by volcanic heat.
immaculate(im MAK yoo lit) adj. 1. perfectly clean; unsoiled; 2. without flaw;
perfectly correct; 3. pure - The living room carpet looked immaculate.
- Immaculatediamonds are very rare and very expensive.
- Martha’s behavior at the coming-out party was immaculate.
[-ly adv.] [Syn. unflawed]
impede(im PEED) vt. 1. hinder, block, or delay; 2. to act as an obstacle - Eating peas by balancing them one at a time on a knife tends to impedethe
progress of dinner. - An open drawbridge might impedeone’s access to the castle.
[-d, impeding, impediment n.] [Syn. hinder]
impenetrability(im PEN i truh BIL i tee) n. 1. something that cannot be
passed through; 2. something that cannot be understood; 3. someone unreceptive
to ideas - In the past, a castle’s wall was built for its impenetrability.
- The impenetrabilityof Germany’s code during World War II proved to be a
myth. - Harold’s teachers constantly marvel at the impenetrabilityof his thick skull.
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