Part 276

In*sid"i*ous (?), a. [L. insidiosus, fr. insidiae an ambush, fr. insidere to sit in; pref. in- + sedere to sit: cf. F. insidieux. See Sit.]

1. Lying in wait; watching an opportunity to insnare or entrap; deceitful; sly; treacherous; -- said of persons; as, the insidious foe. "The insidious witch." Cowper.

2. Intended to entrap; characterized by treachery and deceit; as, insidious arts.

The insidious whisper of the bad angel.

Hawthorne.

Insidious disease (Med.), a disease existing, without marked symptoms, but ready to become active upon some slight occasion; a disease not appearing to be as bad as it really is.

Syn. -- Crafty; wily; artful; sly; designing; guileful; circumventive; treacherous; deceitful; deceptive.

-- In*sid"i*ous*ly, adv. -- In*sid"i*ous*ness, n.

In"sight` (?), n. 1. A sight or view of the interior of anything; a deep inspection or view; introspection; -- frequently used with into.

He had an insight into almost all the secrets of state.

Jortin.

2. Power of acute observation and deduction; penetration; discernment; perception.

Quickest insight In all things that to greatest actions lead.

Milton.

In*sig"ni*a (?), n. pl. [L. insigne, pl. insignia, fr. insignis distinguished by a mark; pref. in- in + signum a mark, sign. See Ensign, Sign.]

1. Distinguishing marks of authority, office, or honor; badges; tokens; decorations; as, the insignia of royalty or of an order.

2. Typical and characteristic marks or signs, by which anything is known or distinguished; as, the insignia of a trade.

In`sig*nif"i*cance (?), n. 1. The condition or quality of being insignificant; want of significance, sense, or meaning; as, the insignificance of words or phrases.

2. Want of force or effect; unimportance; pettiness; inefficacy; as, the insignificance of human art.

3. Want of claim to consideration or notice; want of influence or standing; meanness.

Reduce him, from being the first person in the nation, to a state of insignificance.

Beattie.

In`sig*nif"i*can*cy (?), n. Insignificance.

In`sig*nif"i*cant (?), a. 1. Not significant; void of signification, sense, or import; meaningless; as, insignificant words.

2. Having no weight or effect; answering no purpose; unimportant; valueless; futile.

Laws must be insignificant without the sanction of rewards and punishments.

Bp. Wilkins.

3. Without weight of character or social standing; mean; contemptible; as, an insignificant person.