Glossary


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I

Ibn Sina

Islamic 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 realism

Art form practiced by the Greeks during the 5th century BCE. Portrays the human form very realistically, but in its perfect form.

ideographs

Writing system that uses pictures of ideas.

ideology

An organized system of beliefs, values, and ideas. They form the basis of a political, social, and economic philosophy.

Imam

In Islam, the leader of prayers and religious scholar.

immigration

The movement of people from one nation to another.

Imperialism

The complete control of a weaker nation’s social, economic, and political life by a stronger nation.

import

The bringing in of goods from another country for sale or trade.

Inca

A 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 Congress

Nationalistic organization in India with the purpose of ending British control. Prominent members include Mohandas Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.

Indian Nationalist Movement

Nationalist movement to end British control of India.

individualism

A social philosophy which stresses the importance of the individual above society.

indulgence

Letters of forgiveness for one's sins provided by the medieval Church, and one of the causes of the Reformation.

Industrial Revolution

In 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.

industrialization

The change to industrial methods of production such as the use of factories.

infanticide

the act of killing an infant

inflation

The raising of prices on consumer goods due to an increase in the money supply.

information superhighway

Term given to the Internet due to the amount of information transferred.

inherit

To gain something when someone dies, such as property or money.

insurance

Financial protection on property or people against loss, theft, or death.

interdependence

Mutual assistance or reliance between two or more parties.

International Court of Justice

Headquartered 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 Fund

An 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.

Internet

A global network of computers that communicate through phone and satellites. The Internet has services such as the World Wide Web and e-mail.

interracial marriage

The marriage of two people from different ethnic backgrounds.

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