Part 82

Im*post`hu*ma"tion (?), n. 1. The act of forming an abscess; state of being inflamed; suppuration.

2. An abscess; an imposthume. Coxe.

Im*post"hume (?), n. [A corruption of aposteme. See Aposteme.] A collection of pus or purulent matter in any part of an animal body; an abscess.

Im*post"hume, v. t. & i. Same as Imposthumate.

Im*pos"tor (?), n. [L. impostor a deceiver, fr. imponere to impose upon, deceive. See Impone.] One who imposes upon others; a person who assumes a character or title not his own, for the purpose of deception; a pretender. "The fraudulent impostor foul." Milton.

Syn. -- Deceiver; cheat; rogue. See Deceiver.

Im*pos"tor*ship, n. The condition, character, or practice of an impostor. Milton.

{ Im*pos"tress (?), Im*pos"trix (?), } n. [LL. impostrix. See Impostor.] A woman who imposes upon or deceives others. [R.] Fuller.

Im*pos"trous (?), n. Characterized by imposture; deceitful. "Impostrous pretense of knowledge." Grote.

Im*pos"tur*age (?), n. Imposture; cheating. [R.] Jer. Taylor.

Im*pos"ture (?), n. [L. impostura: cf. F. imposture. See Impone.] The act or conduct of an impostor; deception practiced under a false or assumed character; fraud or imposition; cheating.

From new legends And fill the world with follies and impostures.

Johnson.

Syn. -- Cheat; fraud; trick; imposition; delusion.

Im*pos"tured (?), a. Done by imposture. [Obs.]

Im*pos"tur*ous (?), a. Impostrous; deceitful.

Strictness fales and impostrous.

Beau. & Fl.

Im*pos"tur*y (?), n. Imposture. [Obs.] Fuller.

{ Im"po*tence (?), Im"po*ten*cy (?), } n. [L. impotenia inability, poverty, want of moderation. See Impotent.] 1. The quality or condition of being impotent; want of strength or power, animal, intellectual, or moral; weakness; feebleness; inability; imbecility.

Some were poor by impotency of nature; as young fatherless children, old decrepit persons, idiots, and cripples.

Hayward.

O, impotence of mind in body strong!

Milton.

2. Want of self-restraint or self- control. [R.] Milton.

3. (Law & Med.) Want of procreative power; inability to copulate, or beget children; also, sometimes, sterility; barrenness.

Im"po*tent (?), a. [F. impotent, L. impotens, -entis; pref. im- not + potens potent, powerful. See Potent.] 1. Not potent; wanting power, strength. or vigor. whether physical, intellectual, or moral; deficient in capacity; destitute of force; weak; feeble; infirm.

There sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent inhis feet.