IDYL
I"dyl, n. Etym: [L. idyllium, Gr. idylle. See Idol.]
Defn: A short poem; properly, a short pastoral poem; as, the idyls of Theocritus; also, any poem, especially a narrative or descriptive poem, written in an eleveted and highly finished style; also, by extension, any artless and easily flowing description, either in poetry or prose, of simple, rustic life, of pastoral scenes, and the like. [Written also idyll.] Wordsworth's solemn-thoughted idyl. Mrs. Browning. His [Goldsmith's] lovely idyl of the Vicar's home. F. Harrison.
IDYLLIC
I*dyl"lic, a.
Defn: Of or belonging to idyls.
I. E.
I. e.
Defn: Abbreviation of Latin id est, that is.
IF If, conj. Etym: [OE. if, gif, AS. gif; akin to OFries. ief, gef, ef, OS. ef, of, D. of, or, whether, if, G. ob whether, if, OHG. oba, ibu, Icel. ef, Goth. iba, ibai, an interrogative particle; properly a case form of a noun meaning, doubt (cf. OHG. iba doubt, condition, Icel. if, ef, ifi, efi), and therefore orig. meaning, on condition that.]
1. In case that; granting, allowing, or supposing that; — introducing a condition or supposition. Tisiphone, that oft hast heard my prayer, Assist, if OEdipus deserve thy care. Pope. If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. Matt. iv. 3.
2. Whether; — in dependent questions.
Uncertain if by augury or chance. Dryden.
She doubts if two and two make four. Prior.
As if, But if. See under As, But.
I' FAITH
I' faith"