in|fuse / I nfjuː z/ (infuses , infusing , infused ) VERB To infuse a quality into someone or something, or to infuse them with a quality, means to fill them with it. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed + with ] Many of the girls seemed to be infused with excitement on seeing the snow. □ [V n + into ] A union would infuse unnecessary conflict into the company's employee relations. [Also V n + with ]
in|fu|sion / I nfjuː ʒ ə n/ (infusions ) N‑VAR If there is an infusion of one thing into another, the first thing is added to the other thing and makes it stronger or better. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] He brought a tremendous infusion of hope to the people.
SUFFIX -ing
is added to verbs to make the -ing form, or present participle. Present participle forms are often used as adjectives describing a person or thing who is doing something. For example, a sleeping baby is a baby that is sleeping and an amusing joke is a joke that amuses people. Present participle forms are also used as nouns that refer to activities. For example, if you say you like dancing , you mean that you like to dance.
in|gen|ious / I ndʒiː niəs/ ADJ Something that is ingenious is very clever and involves new ideas, methods, or equipment. □ …a truly ingenious invention. ● in|gen|ious|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ The roof has been ingeniously designed to provide solar heating.
in|ge|nue /æ nʒe I njuː / (ingenues ) also ingénue N‑COUNT [usu sing] An ingenue is a young, innocent girl in a play or film, or an actress who plays the part of young, innocent girls. [FORMAL ] □ I don't want any more ingenue roles.
in|genu|ity / I ndʒənjuː I ti, [AM ] -nuː -/ N‑UNCOUNT Ingenuity is skill at working out how to achieve things or skill at inventing new things. □ Inspecting the nest may require some ingenuity.
in|genu|ous / I ndʒe njuəs/ ADJ If you describe someone as ingenuous , you mean that they are innocent, trusting, and honest. [FORMAL ] □ He seemed too ingenuous for a reporter. ● in|genu|ous|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ Somewhat ingenuously, he explains how the crime may be accomplished.
in|gest / I ndʒe st/ (ingests , ingesting , ingested ) VERB When animals or plants ingest a substance, they take it into themselves, for example by eating or absorbing it. [TECHNICAL ] □ [V n] …side effects occurring in fish that ingest this substance. ● in|ges|tion / I ndʒe stʃən/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] Every ingestion of food can affect our mood or thinking processes.
in|glo|ri|ous / I nglɔː riəs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as inglorious , you mean that it is something to be ashamed of. □ He wouldn't have accepted such an inglorious outcome. ● in|glo|ri|ous|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ If fighting worsens, the troops might be reinforced, or ingloriously withdrawn.
in|got / I ŋgət/ (ingots ) N‑COUNT [oft n N ] An ingot is a lump of metal, usually shaped like a brick. □ …gold ingots.
in|grained / I ngre I nd/ ADJ Ingrained habits and beliefs are difficult to change or remove. □ Morals tend to be deeply ingrained.
in|gra|ti|ate / I ngre I ʃie I t/ (ingratiates , ingratiating , ingratiated ) VERB If someone tries to ingratiate themselves with you, they do things to try and make you like them. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V pron-refl + with ] Many politicians are trying to ingratiate themselves with her. [Also V pron-refl]
in|gra|ti|at|ing / I ngre I ʃie I t I ŋ/ ADJ If you describe someone or their behaviour as ingratiating , you mean that they try to make people like them. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He said this with an ingratiating smile.
in|grati|tude / I ngræ t I tjuːd, [AM ] -tuːd/ N‑UNCOUNT Ingratitude is lack of gratitude for something that has been done for you. □ [+ from ] The Government could expect only ingratitude from the electorate.
in|gre|di|ent ◆◇◇ / I ngriː diənt/ (ingredients )
1 N‑COUNT Ingredients are the things that are used to make something, especially all the different foods you use when you are cooking a particular dish. □ Mix in the remaining ingredients.
2 N‑COUNT An ingredient of a situation is one of the essential parts of it. □ [+ of ] The meeting had all the ingredients of high political drama. SYNONYMS ingredient NOUN 2
component: The management plan has four main components.
element: This was one of the key elements of the U.N.'s peace plan.
feature: Patriotic songs have long been a feature of Kuwaiti life.
aspect: He was interested in all aspects of the work here.
part: Respect is a very important part of any relationship.
in|grown / I ngroʊ n/ or ingrowing / I ngroʊ I ŋ/ ADJ An ingrown toenail, or in British English an ingrowing toenail, is one which is growing into your toe, often causing you pain.
in|hab|it / I nhæ b I t/ (inhabits , inhabiting , inhabited ) VERB If a place or region is inhabited by a group of people or a species of animal, those people or animals live there. □ [be V -ed] The valley is inhabited by the Dani tribe. □ [V n] …the people who inhabit these islands. □ [V -ed] …a land primarily inhabited by nomads.
in|hab|it|ant / I nhæ b I tənt/ (inhabitants ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] The inhabitants of a place are the people who live there. □ [+ of ] …the inhabitants of Glasgow.