Webster
✕

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Induce

In·duce′ (ĭn·dūs′), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Induced; p. pr. & vb. n. Inducing.] [L. inducere, inductum; pref. in- in + ducere to lead. See Duke, and cf. Induct.]

1. To lead in; to introduce. [Obs.]

The poet may be seen inducing his personages in the first Iliad. Pope.

2. To draw on; to overspread. [A Latinism] Cowper.

3. To lead on; to influence; to prevail on; to incite; to move by persuasion or influence. Shak.

He is not obliged by your offer to do it, . . . though he may be induced, persuaded, prevailed upon, tempted. Paley.

Let not the covetous desire of growing rich induce you to ruin your reputation. Dryden.

4. To bring on; to effect; to cause; as, a fever induced by fatigue or exposure.

Sour things induces a contraction in the nerves. Bacon.

5. (Physics) To produce, or cause, by proximity without contact or transmission, as a particular electric or magnetic condition in a body, by the approach of another body in an opposite electric or magnetic state.

6. (Logic) To generalize or conclude as an inference from all the particulars; — the opposite of deduce.

Syn. — To move; instigate; urge; impel; incite; press; influence; actuate.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Noah Porter, editor (Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913). Public domain. Text as transcribed by MICRA, Inc., from Project Gutenberg. Changed for Deep Dive Bible: Greek, which our source spelled in Latin letters, set in Greek letters; entries of one spelling merged into one article.