Part 386

I"rish (?), a. [AS. &?;risc, fr. &?;ras the Irish. Cf. Aryan, Erse.] Of or pertaining to Ireland or to its inhabitants; produced in Ireland.

Irish elk. (Zoöl.) See under Elk. -- Irish moss. (a) (Bot.) Carrageen. (b) A preparation of the same made into a blanc mange. -- Irish poplin. See Poplin. -- Irish potato, the ordinary white potato, so called because it is a favorite article of food in Ireland. -- Irish reef, or Irishman's reef (Naut.), the head of a sail tied up. -- Irish stew, meat, potatoes, and onions, cut in small pieces and stewed.

I*rish", n. sing. & pl. 1. pl. The natives or inhabitants of Ireland, esp. the Celtic natives or their descendants.

2. The language of the Irish; the Hiberno- Celtic.

3. An old game resembling backgammon.

I*rish"ism (?), n. A mode of speaking peculiar to the Irish; an Hibernicism.

I"rish*man (?), n.; pl. Irishmen (&?;). A man born in Ireland or of the Irish race; an Hibernian.

Irishman's hurricane (Naut.), a dead calm. -- Irishman's reef. (Naut.) See Irish reef, under Irish, a.

I"rish*ry (?), n. The Celtic people of Ireland. "The whole Irishry of rebels." Milton.

||I*ri"tis (?), n. [NL. See Iris, and -itis.] (Med.) An inflammation of ||the iris of the eye. || Irk (rk), v. t. [OE. irken to tire, become tired; cf. Sw. yrka to urge, enforce, press, or G. ekel disgust, MHG. erklich disgusting; perh. akin to L. urgere to urge, E. urge.] To weary; to give pain; to annoy; -- used only impersonally at present.

To see this sight, it irks my very soul.

Shak.

It irketh him to be here.

M. Arnold.

Irk"some (?), a. 1. Wearisome; tedious; disagreeable or troublesome by reason of long continuance or repetition; as, irksome hours; irksome tasks.

For not to irksome toil, but to delight, He made us.

Milton.

2. Weary; vexed; uneasy. [Obs.]

Let us therefore learn not to be irksome when God layeth his cross upon us.

Latimer.

Syn. -- Wearisome; tedious; tiresome; vexatious; burdensome. -- Irksome, Wearisome, Tedious. These epithets describe things which give pain or disgust. Irksome is applied to something which disgusts by its nature or quality; as, an irksome task. Wearisome denotes that which wearies or wears us out by severe labor; as, wearisome employment. Tedious is applied to something which tires us out by the length of time occupied in its performance; as, a tedious speech.

Wearisome nights are appointed to me.

Job vii. 3.

Pity only on fresh objects stays, But with the tedious sight of woes decays.

Dryden.

-- Irk"some*ly, adv. -- Irk"some*ness, n.

I"ron ("rn), n. [OE. iren, AS. ren, sen, sern; akin to D. ijzer, OS. sarn, OHG. sarn, san, G. eisen, Icel. sarn, jrn, Sw. & Dan. jern, and perh. to E. ice; cf. Ir. iarann, W. haiarn, Armor. houarn.]

1. (Chem.) The most common and most useful metallic element, being of almost universal occurrence, usually in the form of an oxide (as hematite, magnetite, etc.), or a hydrous oxide (as limonite, turgite, etc.). It is reduced on an enormous scale in three principal forms; viz., cast iron, steel, and wrought iron. Iron usually appears dark brown, from oxidation or impurity, but when pure, or on a fresh surface, is a gray or white metal. It is easily oxidized (rusted) by moisture, and is attacked by many corrosive agents. Symbol Fe (Latin Ferrum). Atomic weight 55.9. Specific gravity, pure iron, 7.86; cast iron, 7.1. In magnetic properties, it is superior to all other substances.