Glossary
Browse the glossary using this index
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Ibn SinaIslamic physician, wrote a book called Canon on Medicine, which was an encyclopedia of Greek, Arabic, and his own knowledge of medicine. This book became the standard medical text in Europe for over five hundred years. |
idealized realismArt form practiced by the Greeks during the 5th century BCE. Portrays the human form very realistically, but in its perfect form. |
ideographsWriting system that uses pictures of ideas. |
ideologyAn organized system of beliefs, values, and ideas. They form the basis of a political, social, and economic philosophy. |
ImamIn Islam, the leader of prayers and religious scholar. |
immigrationThe movement of people from one nation to another. |
ImperialismThe complete control of a weaker nation’s social, economic, and political life by a stronger nation. |
importThe bringing in of goods from another country for sale or trade. |
IncaA Mesoamerican civilization of South America, centered in Peru. The Inca ruled a large empire and had many cultural and scientific achievements including an elaborate road system, architecture, and terrace farming. The arrival of the Spanish Conquistadores ended their empire in the 15th century. |
Indian National CongressNationalistic organization in India with the purpose of ending British control. Prominent members include Mohandas Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. |
Indian Nationalist MovementNationalist movement to end British control of India. |
individualismA social philosophy which stresses the importance of the individual above society. |
indulgenceLetters of forgiveness for one's sins provided by the medieval Church, and one of the causes of the Reformation. |
Industrial RevolutionIn the second half of the 19th century, it was the fundamental change in the way goods were produced through the use of machines, capital, and the centralization of work forces in factories. It completely altered the social, economic, and political structure of most of Europe, Japan, and the United States. |
industrializationThe change to industrial methods of production such as the use of factories. |
infanticidethe act of killing an infant |
inflationThe raising of prices on consumer goods due to an increase in the money supply. |
information superhighwayTerm given to the Internet due to the amount of information transferred. |
inheritTo gain something when someone dies, such as property or money. |
insuranceFinancial protection on property or people against loss, theft, or death. |
interdependenceMutual assistance or reliance between two or more parties. |
International Court of JusticeHeadquartered at the Hague, the Court started work in April of 1946. The Court usually hears only cases brought before it by any of the 189 U.N. Member States, but has made several concessions over the years. |
International Monetary FundAn international organization established to promote monetary cooperation, exchange stability, and economic growth. The IMF also works to lower unemployment and help countries in debt manage their finances. |
InternetA global network of computers that communicate through phone and satellites. The Internet has services such as the World Wide Web and e-mail. |
interracial marriageThe marriage of two people from different ethnic backgrounds. |