Part 117

In*cep"tive (?), a. Beginning; expressing or indicating beginning; as, an inceptive proposition; an inceptive verb, which expresses the beginning of action; -- called also inchoative. -- In*cep"tive*ly, adv.

In*cep"tive, n. An inceptive word, phrase, or clause.

In*cep"tor (?), n. [L.] 1. A beginner; one in the rudiments. Johnson.

2. One who is on the point of taking the degree of master of arts at an English university. Walton.

In`cer*a"tion (?), n. [L. incerare to smear with wax; pref. in- in + cerare to wax, fr. cera wax: cf. F. incération.] The act of smearing or covering with wax. B. Jonson.

In*cer"a*tive (?), a. Cleaving or sticking like wax. Cotgrave.

In*cer"tain (?), n. [Pref. in- not + certain: cf. F. incertain, L. incertus. See Certain.] Uncertain; doubtful; unsteady. -- In*cer"tain*ly, adv.

Very questionable and of uncertain truth.

Sir T. Browne.

In*cer"tain*ty (?), n. Uncertainty. [Obs.] Shak.

In*cer"ti*tude (?), n. [Cf. F. incertitude, LL. incertitudo, fr. L. incertus. See Incertain.] Uncertainty; doubtfulness; doubt.

The incertitude and instability of this life.

Holland.

He fails . . . from mere incertitude or irresolution.

I. Taylor.

||In*cer"tum (?), a. Doubtful; not of definite form. || Opus incertum (Anc. Arch.), a kind of masonry employed in building walls, in which the stones were not squared nor laid in courses; rubblework.

In*ces"sa*ble (?), a. [L. incessabilis; pref. in- not + cessare to cease.] Unceasing; continual. [Obs.] Shelton. -- In*ces"sa*bly, adv. [Obs.]

In*ces"san*cy (?), n. [From Incessant.] The quality of being incessant; unintermitted continuance; unceasingness. Dr. T. Dwight.

In*ces"sant (?), a. [L. incessans, -antis; pref. in- not + cessare to cease: cf. F. incessant. See Cease.] Continuing or following without interruption; unceasing; unitermitted; uninterrupted; continual; as, incessant clamors; incessant pain, etc.

Against the castle gate, . . . Which with incessant force and endless hate, They batter'd day and night and entrance did await.

Spenser.

Syn. -- Unceasing; uninterrupted; unintermitted; unremitting; ceaseless; continual; constant; perpetual.

In*ces"sant*ly, adv. Unceasingly; continually. Shak.

In*ces"sion (?), n. [L. incedere, incessum, to walk.] Motion on foot; progress in walking. [Obs.]

The incession or local motion of animals.

Sir T. Browne.

In"cest (?), n. [F. inceste, L. incestum unchastity, incest, fr. incestus unchaste; pref. in- not + castus chaste. See Chaste.] The crime of cohabitation or sexual commerce between persons related within the degrees wherein marriage is prohibited by law. Shak.

Spiritual incest. (Eccl. Law) (a) The crime of cohabitation committed between persons who have a spiritual alliance by means of baptism or confirmation. (b) The act of a vicar, or other beneficiary, who holds two benefices, the one depending on the collation of the other.