Part 84

2. Not to be overcome, persuaded, or controlled by any reasonable method; unmanageable; intractable; not capable of being easily dealt with; -- used in a general sense, as applied to a person or thing that is difficult to control or get along with.

This though, impracticable heart Is governed by a dainty-fingered girl.

Rowe.

Patriotic but loyal men went away disgusted afresh with the impracticable arrogance of a sovereign.

Palfrey.

3. Incapable of being used or availed of; as, an impracticable road; an impracticable method.

Syn. -- Impossible; infeasible. -- Impracticable, Impossible. A thing is impracticable when it can not be accomplished by any human means at present possessed; a thing is impossible when the laws of nature forbid it. The navigation of a river may now be impracticable, but not impossible, because the existing obstructions may yet be removed. "The barons exercised the most despotic authority over their vassals, and every scheme of public utility was rendered impracticable by their continued petty wars with each other." Mickle. "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matt. xix. 26.

Im*prac"ti*ca*ble*ness, n. The state or quality of being impracticable; impracticability.

Im*prac"ti*ca*bly, adv. In an impracticable manner.

Morality not impracticably rigid.

Johnson.

Im*prac"ti*cal (?), a. Not practical.

Im"pre*cate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imprecated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Imprecating (?).] [L. imprecatus, p. p. of imprecari to imprecate; pref. im- in, on + precari to pray. See Pray.] 1. To call down by prayer, as something hurtful or calamitous.

Imprecate the vengeance of Heaven on the guilty empire.

Mickle.

2. To invoke evil upon; to curse; to swear at.

In vain we blast the ministers of Fate, And the forlorn physicians imprecate.

Rochester.

Im`pre*ca"tion (?), n. [L. imprecatio: cf. F. imprécation.] The act of imprecating, or invoking evil upon any one; a prayer that a curse or calamity may fall on any one; a curse.

Men cowered like slaves before such horrid imprecations.

Motley.

Syn. -- Malediction; curse; execration; anathema. See Malediction.

Im"pre*ca*to*ry (?), a. Of the nature of, or containing, imprecation; invoking evil; as, the imprecatory psalms.

Im`pre*ci"sion (?), n. Want of precision. [R.]

Im*pregn" (?), v. t. [Cf. F. impregner. See Impregnate.] To impregnate; to make fruitful. [Obs.]

His pernicious words, impregned With reason.

Milton.

Semele doth Bacchus bear Impregned of Jove.