IONIDIUM
I`o*nid"i*um, n. Etym: [NL. Cf. Iodine.] (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of violaceous plants, chiefly found in tropical America, some species of which are used as substitutes for ipecacuanha.
IONIZE
I"on*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ionized; p. pr. & vb. n. Ionizing.]
(Elec. Chem.)
Defn: To separate (a compound) into ions, esp. by dissolving in water. —I`on*i*za"tion (#), n.
IOQUA SHELL
I"o*qua shell`. Etym: [From the native name.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The shell of a large Dentalium (D. pretiosum), formerly used as shell money, and for ornaments, by the Indians of the west coast of North America.
IOTA
I*o"ta, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. Jot.]
1. The ninth letter of the Greek alphabet (i) corresponding with the English i.
2. A very small quantity or degree; a jot; a particle. They never depart an iota from the authentic formulas of tyranny and usurpation. Burke. Iota subscript (Gr. Gram.), iota written beneath a preceding vowel, as a,, h,, w,, — done when iota is silent.
IOTACISM
I*o"ta*cism, n. Etym: [Gr. iotacisme. See Iota.]