731
I/O
in·vet·er·ate /ɪnˈvetərɪt/ adj [A] 1 firmly settled in a usually bad habit; HABITUAL: an inveterate liar | (humor) I'm afraid I'm an inveterate reader of trashy romances! (=I know most people do not approve of them) 2 (of a habit) firmly established
in·vid·i·ous /ɪnˈvɪdiəs/ adj tending to cause ill-will or make people unnecessarily offended or jealous: It would be invidious (of me) to single out (=choose) any one member of the team for praise. | invidious comparisons —ly adv —ness n [U]
in·vi·gi·late /ɪnˈvɪdʒɪleɪt/ BrE || proctor AmE — v [I;T] to watch over (an examination or the people taking it) in order to prevent dishonesty —lator n —lation /ɪnˌvɪdʒɪˈleɪʃən/ n [U]
in·vig·o·rate /ɪnˈvɪgəreɪt/ v [T] to give a feeling of freshness and healthy strength to: an invigorating swim before breakfast
in·vin·ci·ble /ɪnˈvɪnsəbəl/ adj apprecv too strong to be defeated: an invincible army —bly adv —bility /ɪnˌvɪnsəˈbɪlɪti/ n [U]
in·vi·o·la·ble /ɪnˈvaɪələbəl/ adj fml which is too highly respected to be attacked, changed etc; which cannot be violated (VIOLATE): inviolable rights —bility /ɪnˌvaɪələˈbɪlɪti/ n [U]
in·vi·o·late /ɪnˈvaɪəlɪt/ adj lit not violated (VIOLATE): The sanctity of the temple remains inviolate.
in·vis·i·ble /ɪnˈvɪzəbəl/ adj 1 [(to)] that cannot be seen; hidden from sight: Germs are invisible to the naked eye. | The magician drank the mixture to make himself invisible. | He felt that he was powerless; some invisible force seemed to be directing his life. | a secret message written in invisible ink (=which can be read only when heated or treated with a chemical) | The house is invisible from the road, being surrounded by trees. ➔ compare INAUDIBLE 2 that is not usually recorded, especially in statements of profit and loss: Insurance is one of Britain's most profitable invisible exports. (=sale of services, rather than goods, abroad) —bly adv: 'Where's the torn place?' 'It's been invisibly mended.' —bility /ɪnˌvɪzəbɪlɪti/ n [U]
inˌvisible ˈearnings n [P] income from e.g. the tourist trade, which is difficult to IDENTIFY separately from other earnings, as it is unclear when and by what people the money involved is spent
inˌvisible ˈink n [U] a type of ink used for writing secret messages which is invisible until it is developed, usually by heating. It is rarely used in real life but it is often written about in DETECTIVE stories.
Inˌvisible ˈMan 1 The Invisible Man (1897) a SCIENCE FICTION novel by H. G. WELLS about a scientist who discovers a way of making himself unable to be seen. Several films and television programmes have been based on this book. 2 Invisible Man (1952) a novel by the US writer Ralph Ellison about the life of a young African-American man in New York City
in·vi·ta·tion /ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃən/ n 1 [C(to)] a written or spoken request made to someone, asking them to come to a place, take part in an activity etc: 'Did you get an invitation to the party?' 'Yes, I replied to it this morning.' | They sent out 200 invitations to their wedding. | [+to-v] Their ambassador has accepted/declined (=not accepted) an invitation to meet with the president and discuss this issue. | I've got a standing/an open invitation to visit my friend in China. (=I can go at any time) 2 [U] the act of inviting: Entrance is by written invitation only. 3 [S+to] an encouragement to an action, usually a bad action; INDUCEMENT: These enticing displays of goods in shops are an invitation to theft. ➔ see REFUSE (USAGE)
in·vite¹ /ɪnˈvaɪt/ v [T] 1 [(to)] to ask (someone) to come especially to a social occasion: We invited all our relatives (to the wedding). | Let's invite some people over/round (=to our house) for a drink. | [+obj+to-v] They've invited us to stay for the weekend. | She was polite but she didn't invite me in. | The film was shown to a specially invited audience. 2 to ask for or request, especially politely or formally: Questions were invited after the meeting. | to invite offers on a house/bids for a contract | [+obj+to-v] The television interviewer invited the minister to comment on the recent events. 3 to (seem to) encourage (something bad): You're just inviting trouble if you do that. | [+obj+to-v] Some shops invite people to steal by making it too easy to take things.
invite² /ˈnvaɪt/ n infml an INVITATION: Did you get an invite to the mayor's reception?
in·vit·ing /ɪnˈvaɪtɪŋ/ adj attractive; encouraging one to take a suitable action: an inviting prospect | an inviting-looking cake/armchair —ly adv
in vi·tro /ɪn ˈviːtrəʊ/ adj, adv Lat (done) outside a living body, in a piece of scientific equipment ➔ compare IN VIVO
in ˌvitro fertiliˈzation n [U] ➔ see IVF
in vi·vo /ɪn ˈviːvə/ adj, adv Lat (done) inside a living body ➔ compare IN VITRO
in·vo·ca·tion /ˌɪnvəˈkeɪʃən/ n fml 1 [U] the act of invoking: their invocation of diplomatic immunity in order to escape arrest 2 [C(to)] a form of words calling for help, especially from God or the gods; prayer
in·voice¹ /ˈɪnvɔɪs/ n a list of goods supplied or work done, stating quantity and price: to make out/submit/process/pay an invoice
invoice² v [T] 1 to prepare an invoice for (goods supplied or work done): several orders waiting to be invoiced 2 to send an invoice to (someone): We will be invoicing you separately for these items.
in·voke /ɪnˈvəʊk/ v [T] fml 1 to call or bring into use (especially a right or law) or operation: The government invoked 'reasons of national security' in order to justify arresting its opponents. 2 to make an urgent request to (a power, especially God) for help 3 to request or beg for: She invoked their help/their forgiveness. 4 to call on and cause (spirits) to appear ➔ see also INVOCATION
in·vol·un·ta·ry /ɪnˈvɒləntri||ɪnˈvɑləntri/ adj made or done without conscious effort or intention: involuntary muscular movements | He gave an involuntary smile/gasp/shudder. —tarily adv
in·volve /ɪnˈvɒlv||ɪnˈvɑlv/ v [T not usually in progressive forms] 1 [(in, with)] to cause (someone or oneself) to become connected or concerned: Don't involve other people in your mad schemes. | If I were you I wouldn't get involved in their problems. ➔ compare IMPLICATE 2 [(in)] to have as a necessary part or result; ENTAIL: I didn't realize putting on a play involved so much work/that so much work was involved in putting on a play. | [+v-ing] The job involves travelling abroad for three months each year. 3 (of a situation or action) to have as the people or things taking part: The accident involved a bus and a truck. | a big police operation involving over a hundred officers —ment n [U[in, with]] The police are investigating his possible involvement in the crime.
in·volved /ɪnˈvɒlvd||ɪnˈvɑːlvd/ adj 1 having related parts which are difficult to understand; COMPLICATED: a long and involved explanation 2 [F(with)] (of a person) closely connected in relationships and activities with others, especially in a personal or sexual way: He's deeply involved with a married woman.