in|cre|du|lity / I nkr I djuː l I ti, [AM ] -duː l-/ N‑UNCOUNT If someone reacts with incredulity to something, they are unable to believe it because it is very surprising or shocking. □ The announcement has been met with incredulity.
in|credu|lous / I nkre djʊləs/ ADJ If someone is incredulous , they are unable to believe something because it is very surprising or shocking. □ 'He made you do it?' Her voice was incredulous. ● in|credu|lous|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ 'You told Pete?' Rachel said incredulously. 'I can't believe it!'
in|cre|ment / I nkr I mənt/ (increments )
1 N‑COUNT An increment in something or in the value of something is an amount by which it increases. [FORMAL ] □ [+ in/of ] The average yearly increment in labour productivity in industry was 4.5 per cent.
2 N‑COUNT An increment is an amount by which your salary automatically increases after a fixed period of time. [FORMAL ] □ Many teachers qualify for an annual increment.
in|cre|men|tal / I nkr I me nt ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Incremental is used to describe something that increases in value or worth, often by a regular amount. [FORMAL ] □ …our ability to add production capacity at relatively low incremental cost.
in|crimi|nate / I nkr I m I ne I t/ (incriminates , incriminating , incriminated ) VERB If something incriminates you, it suggests that you are responsible for something bad, especially a crime. □ [V n] He claimed that the drugs had been planted to incriminate him. □ [V pron-refl] They are afraid of incriminating themselves and say no more than is necessary. ● in|crimi|nat|ing ADJ [usu ADJ n] □ Police had reportedly searched his flat and found incriminating evidence.
in|cu|bate / I nkjʊbe I t/ (incubates , incubating , incubated )
1 VERB When birds incubate their eggs, they keep the eggs warm until the baby birds come out. □ [V n] The birds returned to their nests and continued to incubate the eggs. [Also V ] ● in|cu|ba|tion / I nkjʊbe I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] Male albatrosses share in the incubation of eggs.
2 VERB When a germ in your body incubates or is incubated , it develops for a period of time before it starts making you feel ill. □ [V ] The virus can incubate for up to ten days after the initial infection. [Also V n] ● in|cu|ba|tion N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] □ The illness has an incubation period of up to 11 days.
in|cu|ba|tor / I nkjʊbe I tə r / (incubators )
1 N‑COUNT An incubator is a piece of hospital equipment which helps weak or small babies to survive. It consists of a transparent container in which the oxygen and temperature levels can be controlled.
2 N‑COUNT An incubator is a piece of equipment used to keep eggs or bacteria at the correct temperature for them to develop.
in|cul|cate / I nkʌlke I t, [AM ] I nkʌ l-/ (inculcates , inculcating , inculcated ) VERB If you inculcate an idea or opinion in someone's mind, you teach it to them by repeating it until it is fixed in their mind. [FORMAL ] □ [V n + in ] We have tried to inculcate a feeling of citizenship in youngsters. □ [V n + with ] The aim is to inculcate business people with an appreciation of different cultures. □ [V n] Great care was taken to inculcate the values of nationhood and family.
in|cum|bent / I nkʌ mbənt/ (incumbents )
1 N‑COUNT An incumbent is someone who holds an official post at a particular time. [FORMAL ] □ In general, incumbents have a 94 per cent chance of being re-elected. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Incumbent is also an adjective. □ …the only candidate who defeated an incumbent senator.
2 ADJ If it is incumbent upon you to do something, it is your duty or responsibility to do it. [FORMAL ] □ It is incumbent upon all of us to make an extra effort.
in|cur / I nkɜː r / (incurs , incurring , incurred ) VERB If you incur something unpleasant, it happens to you because of something you have done. [WRITTEN ] □ [V n] The government had also incurred huge debts. □ [V -ed] …the terrible damage incurred during the past decade.
in|cur|able / I nkjʊə rəb ə l/
1 ADJ If someone has an incurable disease, they cannot be cured of it. □ He is suffering from an incurable skin disease. ● in|cur|ably / I nkjʊə rəbli/ ADV [ADV adj] □ …youngsters who are incurably ill.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use incurable to indicate that someone has a particular quality or attitude and will not change. □ Poor old William is an incurable romantic. ● in|cur|ably ADV [ADV adj] □ I know you think I'm incurably nosey.
in|cur|sion / I nkɜː r ʃ ə n, -ʒ ə n/ (incursions )
1 N‑COUNT If there is an incursion into a country, enemy soldiers suddenly enter it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ into ] …armed incursions into border areas by rebel forces.
2 N‑COUNT If someone or something enters an area where you would not expect them to be, or where they have not been found before, you can call this an incursion , especially when you disapprove of their presence. [FORMAL ] □ [+ into ] …her disastrous incursion into the property market.
in|debt|ed / I nde t I d/
1 ADJ If you say that you are indebted to someone for something, you mean that you are very grateful to them for something. □ [+ to ] I am deeply indebted to him for his help. ● in|debt|ed|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ to ] Mortimer recounted his indebtedness to her in his autobiography.