5 entries under this word
A prefix from the Latin in, not, often used in composition, as a particle of negation, like the English un, as in inactive, incapable, or signifying within, into, or among, as in inbred, incase, or serving to render emphatic the sense of the word to which it is prefixed, as in inclose, increase. — In, before l, is changed into il, as in illusion; and before r, into ir, as in irregular; and before a labial, into im, as in imbitter, immaterial, impatient.
prep. [A-S., Goth., Ger., & D. in, Icel., Sw., & Dan. i, allied to Lat. in, Gr. ἐν; adv. Goth. & Icel. inn, Sw. in, Dan. ind, Ger. in, ein.] Within; inside of; surrounded by; not outside of;—used to indicate a variety of relations; especially, (a.) Presence or situation within limits, whether of place, time, or circumstances; inclosure by something regarded as surrounding, standing about, retaining, including, or the like;—opposed to out of, or from; as, in the house; in the city; in the hour; in the year; in sickness; in health. “In most cases, very consistent.” Smalridge. “In all likelihood.” Collier.
Nine in ten of those who enter the ministry are obliged to enter. Swift.
(b.) Existence or activity, as a part or constituent of; by the means or agency of; in a quality or relation of; in the midst or in possession of; in respect to, or consideration of; on account of; according to; and the like; as, it is not in gold to be oxidized; it is not in man to resist such appeals. (c.) Entrance with respect to a new state, condition, or sphere of activity;—used instead of into; as, to put in operation.
In blank (Law), with the name only;—a term applied to the indorsement of a bill or note by merely writing on it the indorser’s name.—In that, because; for the reason that. “Some things they do in that they are men; some things in that they are men misled and blinded with error.” Hooker.—In the name of, in behalf of; on the part of; by authority; as, it was done in the name of the people;—often used in invocation, swearing, praying, and the like.—To be or keep in with. (a.) To be close or near; as, to keep a ship in with the land. (b.) To be on terms of friendship, familiarity, or intimacy with; to secure and retain the favor of. [Colloq.]
☞ In is often used for into, and without the noun to which it properly belongs; as, he cares not who is in or who is out, that is, in office or out of office; come in, that is, into the house or other place; he has or will come in, that is, into office; a vessel has come in, that is, into port, or has arrived.
Sense 1. Not out; within; inside. ☞ The sails of a vessel are said, in nautical language, to be in when they are furled, or when stowed. 2. (Law.) With privilege or possession;—used to denote a holding, possession, or seisin; as, in by descent, in by purchase, in of the seisin of her husband. Burvill. Kent.
n. 1. A person who is in office;—the opposite of out.
Sense 2. A re-entrant angle; a nook or corner;—usually in the plural, and especially in the phrase ins and outs, that is, nooks and corners. “Ins and outs of a garden.” H. Dixon.
v. t. To inclose; to take in. [Obs.] Bacon.