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Insolence (Latin, in-soleo.) Unusual conduct, that is, not according to the common courtesies of social
life.
A pretty tame definition compared to the present one.
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Instinct Something pricked or punctured into one. Distinguish is of the same root, and means to prick or
puncture separately. Extinguish means to prick or puncture out. IL all cases the allusion is to marking by
a puncture. At college the "markers" at the chapel doors still hold a pin in one hand, and prick with it the
name of each "man" who enters. The word is used to express a natural impulse to do something; an
inherent habit.
"Although reason may ... be blended with instinct the distinction between the two is sufficiently
precise. Reason only acts upon a defluite and often laboriously acquired knowledge of the
relation between means and ends." - Romanes: Encyclopędia Britannica, vol. xiii. p. 157
(ninth edition).
defluite - I wonder if this is a typo for "definite"?
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Insult To leap on the prostrate body of a foe. To treat with contumely.
Please do not leap on my prostrate body!
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Intaglio (Italian). A design cut in a gem, like a crest or initials in a stamp. The design does not stand out
in relief, as in cameos, but is hollowed in.
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Intellect The power of reading mentally; hence the power of understanding and quickly grasping what
requires intelligence and thought. (Latin, intus lego, I read within me.)
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Intercalary (Latin). Inserted between or amongst others. Thus, an intercalary day is a day foisted in
between two others, as the 29th February in leap-year. (See Calends.)
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Interest (Latin). Something that is between the parties concerned. The interest of money is the sum
which the borrower agrees to pay the lender for its use. To take an interest in anything is to feel there is
something between it and you which may affect your pleasure.
Interest for money. In the Tudor dynasty it was 10 per cent. (37 Henry VIII. chap. 9). In the reign of
James it was reduced to 8 per cent.; in Queen Anno's reign to 5 per cent.; in the last quarter of the
nineteenth century it was reduced to 22 per cent.
I suspect that "22 percent" should read 2.2 percent
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Interlard (French). To put lard or fat between layers of meat. Metaphorically, to mix what is the solid
part of a discourse with fulsome and irrelevant matter. Thus we say, "To interland with oaths," to
"interlard with compliments," etc.
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Interpolate (4 syl.). For two or more persons to polish up something between them. Metaphorically, to
insert spurious matter in a book or document; to gag. (Latin, inter polio, to polish.)
Apparently mathematical use not a hundred years old.
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Intoxication Pliny (xvi. 20) tells us this word is derived from taxa, a species of bay-tree used for
poisoning arrows. Hence the Greek toxon (a bow and arrows), and toxicon (rank poison).
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