incentive 704
extremely angry; OUTRAGE: We were incensed by/at their bad behaviour. → see ANNOY (USAGE)
in-cen-tive /ɪnˈsentɪv/ n [C;U(to)] something which encourages one to greater activity: His interest gave me an incentive and I worked twice as hard. | incentive payments to increase productivity | The promise of a bonus acted as an incentive to greater effort. | [+to-v] Our research has not shown us anything so far, so there is little incentive to continue with it. → opposite DISINCENTIVE
in-cep-tion /ɪnˈsepʃən/ n [C usually sing.] fml the beginning: The programme has been successful since its inception.
in-cer-ti-tude /ɪnˈsɜːtɪtjud||ɪnsɜːrtɪtuːd/ n [U] pomp uncertainty
in-ces-sant /ɪnˈsesənt/ adj (especially of something bad) continuous over a long period of time; never stopping: tired of his incessant complaining —ly adv
in-cest /ˈɪnsest/ n [U] a forbidden sexual relationship between close relatives in a family, e.g. between brother and sister or parent and child, usually considered unnatural and in most countries against the law
in-ces-tu-ous /ɪnˈsestuəs/ adj 1 of or performing acts of incest: an incestuous relationship 2 especially derog (of relationships) unusually close, especially in a way that does not include people from outside or that is thought to be unhealthy: Publishing can be rather incestuous, with senior staff always moving around from firm to firm. —ly adv —ness n [U]
inch¹ /ɪntʃ/ n 1 a unit for measuring length → see TABLE 2 2 a very small amount or distance: The car got through the gate with hardly an inch to spare. | They have sworn to defend every inch of their territory. | The bus missed our car by inches. (=almost hit it) 3 inch by inch by small degrees or stages 4 every inch completely; in all ways: every inch a gentleman 5 Give him an inch and he'll take a yard/a mile If you allow him a little freedom or power he'll try to get a lot more 6 within an inch of very near: We came within an inch of death. 7 not give/budge an inch not to change one's opinions when other people try to make you agree to theirs: I tried every argument, but she didn't budge an inch.
inch² v [I+adv/prep;T+obj+adv/prep] to (cause to) move slowly and with difficulty: I inched (my way) through the narrow space between the cars. | We inched the heavy box along the corridor.
in-cho-ate /ɪnˈkəʊət/ adj fml (of desires, wishes, plans etc) at the beginning of development; not fully formed
in-ci-dence /ˈɪnsɪdəns/ n [S(of)] the rate at which something, especially something undesirable, happens or exists: There's a high incidence of disease/burglary there.
in-ci-dent /ˈɪnsɪdənt/ n 1 an event; a happening, especially one that is unusual: one of the strangest incidents in my life | We completed the journey without further incident. (=with nothing unusual happening) 2 an event that includes or leads to violence, danger, or serious disagreement: The attack was the latest in a series of incidents in the area. | The spy scandal caused a diplomatic incident.
in-ci-den-tal¹ /ˌɪnsɪˈdentl/ adj [(to)] happening or existing in connection with something else that is more important: an event incidental to the main action | minor, incidental details | You are allowed to claim for the incidental expenses of a business trip, such as taxi fares and food.
incidental² n [usually pl.] something incidental, especially something that is needed after the main things have been done, bought etc: We'd better leave some money to pay for incidentals.
in-ci-den-tal-ly /ˌɪnsɪˈdentəli/ adv (used for adding something to what was said before, either on the same or another subject) by the way: I must go now. Incidentally, if you want that book I'll bring it next time.
USAGE Incidentally, like by the way, can be used to introduce an important subject while making it seem as if it is not really very important to you: Incidentally I think you still owe me some money. → see also WAY (USAGE)
incidental 'music n [U] descriptive music played during a play, film etc to give the right feeling or to go with the action
'incident ,room n BrE a room in a police station or other place where police work on solving a particular serious crime
in-cin-e-rate /ɪnˈsɪnəreɪt/ v [T often pass.] to destroy (unwanted things) by burning.—ration /ˌɪn,sɪnəˈreɪʃən/ n [U]
in-cin-e-ra-tor /ɪnˈsɪnəreɪtər/ n a machine or container for burning unwanted things
in-cip-i-ent /ɪnˈsɪpiənt/ adj fml or med at an early stage: incipient disease —ly adv —ence, -ency n [U]
in-cise /ɪnˈsaɪz/ v [T(in, into) often pass.] tech to make (a cut) into (something)
in-ci-sion /ɪnˈsɪʒən/ n [C;U(in, into)] tech, especially med (the act of making) a cut into something, done with a special tool: An incision was made into the diseased organ.
in-ci-sive /ɪnˈsaɪsɪv/ adj apprec going directly to the main point of the matter that is being considered: incisive comments/questions —ly adv —ness n [U]
in-ci-sor /ɪnˈsaɪzər/ n any of the teeth at the front of the mouth, which have one cutting edge. In humans there are four in each jaw. → compare CANINE TOOTH, MOLAR
in-cite /ɪnˈsaɪt/ v [T(to)] to cause or encourage (someone) to (a strong feeling or action); PROVOKE: He was charged with inciting a riot/inciting the crowd to rebellion.