Part 170

In*dict"ment (?), n. [Cf. Inditement.]

1. The act of indicting, or the state of being indicted.

2. (Law) The formal statement of an offense, as framed by the prosecuting authority of the State, and found by the grand jury.

To the validity of an indictment a finding by the grand jury is essential, while an information rests only on presentation by the prosecuting authority.

3. An accusation in general; a formal accusation.

Bill of indictment. See under Bill.

In*dict"or (?), n. (Law) One who indicts. Bacon.

In"dies (?), n. pl. A name designating the East Indies, also the West Indies.

Our king has all the Indies in his arms.

Shak.

In*dif"fer*ence (?), n. [L. indifferentia similarity, want of difference: cf. F. indifférence.]

1. The quality or state of being indifferent, or not making a difference; want of sufficient importance to constitute a difference; absence of weight; insignificance.

2. Passableness; mediocrity.

3. Impartiality; freedom from prejudice, prepossession, or bias.

He . . . is far from such indifference and equity as ought and must be in judges which he saith I assign.

Sir T. More.

4. Absence of anxiety or interest in respect to what is presented to the mind; unconcernedness; as, entire indifference to all that occurs.

Indifference can not but be criminal, when it is conversant about objects which are so far from being of an indifferent nature, that they are highest importance.

Addison.

Syn. -- Carelessness; negligence; unconcern; apathy; insensibility; coldness; lukewarmness.

In*dif"fer*en*cy (?), n. Absence of interest in, or influence from, anything; unconcernedness; equilibrium; indifferentism; indifference. Gladstone.

To give ourselves to a detestable indifferency or neutrality in this cause.

Fuller.

Moral liberty . . . does not, after all, consist in a power of indifferency, or in a power of choosing without regard to motives.

Hazlitt.

In*dif"fer*ent (?), a. [F. indifférent, L. indifferens. See In- not, and Different.]

1. Not making a difference; having no influence or preponderating weight; involving no preference, concern, or attention; of no account; without significance or importance.

Dangers are to me indifferent.