Part 19

Ig*nite" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ignited (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Igniting.] [L. ignitus, p. p. of ignire to ignite, fr. ignis fire. See Igneous.] 1. To kindle or set on fire; as, to ignite paper or wood.

2. (Chem.) To subject to the action of intense heat; to heat strongly; -- often said of incombustible or infusible substances; as, to ignite iron or platinum.

Ig*nite", v. i. To take fire; to begin to burn.

Ig*nit"i*ble (?), a. Capable of being ignited.

Ig*ni"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. ignition.] 1. The act of igniting, kindling, or setting on fire.

2. The state of being ignited or kindled. Sir T. Browne.

Ig*nit"or (?), n. One who, or that which, produces ignition; especially, a contrivance for igniting the powder in a torpedo or the like. [Written also igniter.]

Ig*niv"o*mous (?), a. [L. ignivomus; ignis fire + vomere 8vomit.] Vomiting fire. [R.]

Ig`no*bil"i*ty (?), n. [L. ignobilitas: cf. F. ignobilité.] Ignobleness. [Obs.] Bale.

Ig*no"ble (?), a. [L. ignobilis; pref. in- not + nobilis noble: cf. F. ignoble. See In- not, and Noble, a.] 1. Of low birth or family; not noble; not illustrious; plebeian; common; humble.

I was not ignoble of descent.

Shak.

Her royal stock graft with ignoble plants.

Shak.

2. Not honorable, elevated, or generous; base.

'T is but a base, ignoble mind, That mounts no higher than a bird can soar.

Shak.

Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife.

Gray.

3. (Zoöl.) Not a true or noble falcon; -- said of certain hawks, as the goshawk.

Syn. -- Degenerate; degraded; mean; base; dishonorable; reproachful; disgraceful; shameful; scandalous; infamous.

Ig*no"ble, v. t. To make ignoble. [Obs.] Bacon.

Ig*no"ble*ness, n. State or quality of being ignoble.

Ig*no"bly, adv. In an ignoble manner; basely.

Ig`no*min"i*ous (?), a. [L. ignominiosus: cf. F. ignominieux.] 1. Marked with ignominy; incurring public disgrace; dishonorable; shameful.

Then first with fear surprised and sense of pain, Fled ignominious.

Milton.

2. Deserving ignominy; despicable.