Part 111

In`ca*nes"cent (?), a. [L. incanescens, p. pr. incanescere to become gray.] Becoming hoary or gray; canescent.

In*ca"nous (?), a. [L. incanus; pref. in- in + canus hoary.] (Bot.) Hoary with white pubescence.

In`can*ta"tion (?), n. [L. incantatio, fr. incantare to chant a magic formula over one: cf. F. incantation. See Enchant.]

1. The act or process of using formulas sung or spoken, with occult ceremonies, for the purpose of raising spirits, producing enchantment, or affecting other magical results; enchantment. "Mysterious ceremony and incantation." Burke.

2. A formula of words used as above.

In*cant"a*to*ry (?), a. Dealing by enchantment; magical. Sir T. Browne.

In*cant"ing, a. Enchanting. [Obs.] Sir T. Herbert.

In*can"ton (?), v. t. To unite to, or form into, a canton or separate community. Addison.

In*ca`pa*bil"i*ty (?), n. 1. The quality of being incapable; incapacity. Suckling.

2. (Law) Want of legal qualifications, or of legal power; as, incapability of holding an office.

In*ca"pa*ble (?), a. [Pref. in- not + capable: cf. F. incapable, L. incapabilis incomprehensible.]

1. Wanting in ability or qualification for the purpose or end in view; not large enough to contain or hold; deficient in physical strength, mental or moral power, etc.; not capable; as, incapable of holding a certain quantity of liquid; incapable of endurance, of comprehension, of perseverance, of reform, etc.

2. Not capable of being brought to do or perform, because morally strong or well disposed; -- used with reference to some evil; as, incapable of wrong, dishonesty, or falsehood.

3. Not in a state to receive; not receptive; not susceptible; not able to admit; as, incapable of pain, or pleasure; incapable of stain or injury.

4. (Law) Unqualified or disqualified, in a legal sense; as, a man under thirty-five years of age is incapable of holding the office of president of the United States; a person convicted on impeachment is thereby made incapable of holding an office of profit or honor under the government.

5. (Mil.) As a term of disgrace, sometimes annexed to a sentence when an officer has been cashiered and rendered incapable of serving his country.

Incapable is often used elliptically.

Is not your father grown incapable of reasonable affairs?

Shak.

Syn. -- Incompetent; unfit; unable; insufficient; inadequate; deficient; disqualified. See Incompetent.

In*ca"pa*ble, n. One who is morally or mentally weak or inefficient; an imbecile; a simpleton.

In*ca"pa*ble*ness, n. The quality or state of being incapable; incapability.

In*ca"pa*bly, adv. In an incapable manner.

In`ca*pa"cious (?), a. [Pref. in- not + capacious: cf. L. incapax incapable.] Not capacious; narrow; small; weak or foolish; as, an incapacious soul. Bp. Burnet. -- In`ca*pa"cious*ness, n.

In`ca*pac"i*tate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Incapacitated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Incapacitating (?).] [Pref. in- not + capacitate.]

1. To deprive of capacity or natural power; to disable; to render incapable or unfit; to disqualify; as, his age incapacitated him for war.

2. (Law) To deprive of legal or constitutional requisites, or of ability or competency for the performance of certain civil acts; to disqualify.

It absolutely incapacitated them from holding rank, office, function, or property.