IMUS; INFIMUS. +Imum+ (superl. from in) denotes the lowest part of a whole; +infimum+ (superl. from inferus) either the lowest part of all the parts, that is, the basis, or the lowest in a discrete magnitude, that is, a magnitude consisting of distinct parts. The _imum_ is the lowest extremity of a part; then the _infimum_, the lowest part, with reference to the other parts. Cic. Rosc. Com. 7. Ab _imis_ unguibus usque ad summum verticem: compare with Divin. i. 33. Ut ab _infima_ ara subito anguis emergeret; and with N. D. ii. 20. Luna _infima_ est quinque errantium. Further, +imus+ denotes the lowest in a purely local relation; +infimus+, with the accessory notion of the lowest rank. (iv. 377.)
INANIS; VACUUS. +Inanis+ (from #inaô#) means the emptiness of that which has been full, but is now without its contents, in opp. to _plenus_, Cic. Orat. i. 9, 37. Parad. 6, 1. Brut. 8, 34; whereas +vacuus+ denotes the emptiness of that which may be filled, but is at present vacant, in opp. to _occupatus_, Tac. Hist. iv. 17; or to _obsessus_, Cic. N. T. i. 24. Tac. Ann. vi. 34. Jason post avectam Medeam genitosque ex ea liberos _inanem_ mox regiam Æetæ _vacuosque_ Colchos repetivit; that is, the palace deserted and desolate, and the people without a governor. Figuratively, +inane+ means a nullity; +vacuum+, a vacancy. (i. 100.)
INCIPERE; ORDIRI; INCHOARE; COEPISSE. 1. +Incipere+ denotes the beginning, in opp. to the state of rest, which precedes and follows, consequently it is in opp. to _cessare_ and _desinere_, _desistere_, _finire_; whereas +ordiri+ (from #erdein#, radix,) in opp. to an advancement; consequently in opp. to _continuare_, and its intransitive _pergere_; lastly, +inchoare+ (from conari) in opp. to ending and accomplishing, consequently in opp. to _perficere_, _consummare_, _peragere_, _absolvere_, etc. Cic. Off. i. 37. Ut _incipiendi_ ratio fuerit, ita sit _desinendi_ modus. Tusc. i. 49. Sen. Ep. 116. Plin. H. N. xi. 51. Plin. Pan. 54, 6. 57, 2. Ep. ix. 4. Quintil. xi. 3, 34. Tac. Agr. 32. Varro R. R. iii. 16. Apes cum evolaturæ sunt, aut etiam _inciperunt_, consonant vehementer. Cic. Fin. iv. 6. Hoc _inchoati_ cujusdam officii est, non _perfecti_. Brut. 33. Liv. xl. 9. Plin. Ep. iii. 8, 7. Plin. H. N. x. 63. Tac. Dial. 33. Suet. Claud. 3. Cic. Fr. ap. Non. _Perge_, quæso, nec enim imperite exorsus es. 2. +Coepi+ has nearly the same words in opp. to it as _incipere_ has; Sen. Cons. Polyb. 20. Quicquid _coepit_, et desinit. Cic. Rab. Post. 2. Ovid, Ep. ix. 23; +coepi+ refers more to the action which is begun; +incepi+, more to the beginning which has been made. +Coepi+ is a sort of auxiliary verb; +incepi+ is emphatic; hence +coepi+ has an infinitive, +incipere+ a substantive, for its object. Cic. Verr. v. 10. Quum ver esse _coeperat_ (sed cum rosam viderat, tum ver _incipere_ arbitrabatur), dabat se labori. (iii. 157.)