Part 5536

<h1>Ignis fatuus</h1> <Xpage=727>

<hw>Ig"nis fat"u*us</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>; <plu>pl. <plw>Ignes fatui</plw> <tt>(#)</tt></plu>. <ety>[L. <ets>ignis</ets> fire + <ets>fatuus</ets> foolish. So called in allusion to its tendency to mislead travelers.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>A phosphorescent light that appears, in the night, over marshy ground, supposed to be occasioned by the decomposition of animal or vegetable substances, or by some inflammable gas; -- popularly called also <altname>Will-with-the-wisp</altname>, or <altname>Will-o'-the-wisp</altname>, and <altname>Jack-with-a-lantern</altname>, or <altname>Jack-o'-lantern</altname>.</def><-- thought to be caused by phosphine, PH3, a sponaneously combustible gas. -->

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Fig.: A misleading influence; a decoy.</def>

<blockquote>Scared and guided by the <b>ignis fatuus</b> of popular superstition. <i>Jer. Taylor.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Ignite</h1> <Xpage=727>

<hw>Ig*nite"</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Ignited</er> <tt>(?)</tt>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Igniting</er>.]</wordforms> <ety>[L. <ets>ignitus</ets>, p.p. of <ets>ignire</ets> to ignite, fr. <ets>ignis</ets> fire. See <er>Igneous</er>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>To kindle or set on fire; <as>as, to <ex>ignite</ex> paper or wood</as>.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <fld>(Chem.)</fld> <def>To subject to the action of intense heat; to heat strongly; -- often said of incombustible or infusible substances; <as>as, to <ex>ignite</ex> iron or platinum</as>.</def>

<h1>Ignite</h1> <Xpage=727>

<hw>Ig*nite"</hw>, <tt>v. i.</tt> <def>To take fire; to begin to burn.</def>

<h1>Ignitible</h1> <Xpage=727>

<hw>Ig*nit"i*ble</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Capable of being ignited.</def>

<h1>Ignition</h1> <Xpage=727>

<hw>Ig*ni"tion</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[Cf. F. <ets>ignition</ets>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>The act of igniting, kindling, or setting on fire.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>The state of being ignited or kindled.</def>

<i>Sir T. Browne.</i>

<h1>Ignitor</h1> <Xpage=727>

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

<h1>Ignivomous</h1> <Xpage=727>

<hw>Ig*niv"o*mous</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>ignivomus</ets>; <ets>ignis</ets> fire + <ets>vomere</ets> 8vomit.]</ety> <def>Vomiting fire.</def> <mark>[R.]</mark>

<h1>Ignobility</h1> <Xpage=727>

<hw>Ig`no*bil"i*ty</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>ignobilitas</ets>: cf. F. <ets>ignobilit\'82</ets>.]</ety> <def>Ignobleness.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Bale.</i>

<h1>Ignoble</h1> <Xpage=727>

<hw>Ig*no"ble</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>ignobilis</ets>; pref. <ets>in-</ets> not + <ets>nobilis</ets> noble: cf. F. <ets>ignoble</ets>. See <er>In-</er> not, and <er>Noble</er>, <tt>a.</tt>]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Of low birth or family; not noble; not illustrious; plebeian; common; humble.</def>

<blockquote>I was not <b>ignoble</b> of descent. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>Her royal stock graft with <b>ignoble</b> plants. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Not honorable, elevated, or generous; base.</def>

<blockquote>'T but a base, <b>ignoble</b> mind, That mounts no higher than a bird can soar. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>