Chapter Italic Version to Ixion of I by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Italic Version to Ixion

Italic Version A version of the Bible from the Septuagint, which preceded the Vulgate, or the version by St. Jerome.

Italics The type first used by Aldo Manuzio in printing the Aldine classics. It was called by him "Cursive" letters (a running hand; from Latin, curro, to run). Virgil was the first author printed in this type (1501). Francesco of Bologna cast it.
   The words italicised in the Bible have no corresponding words in the original. The translators supplied these words to render the sense of the passage more full and clear.

Italy The champion of Italy was St. Anthony. (Seven Champions of Christendom, part i. 6.)

Itch My fingers itch to be at him. This is a French locution, "Les poings me démangent de le battre."
   An itch for gold. A longing desire. (Anglo-Saxon, giecan, to itch.)

Itching Ears (To have). To have a longing desire to hear news, or some novelty.

"The time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts [or longings]." - 2 Timothy iv. 3 (R.V.).

Itching Palm (An). A love of money. If the palm of your right hand itches, it betokens that you are going to receive money. So Melton tells us in his Astrologaster, p. 23.

"Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself
Are much condemned to have an itching palm."
Shakespeare: Julius Coesar, iv. 4.

Itching of the Eye If the right eye itches it betokens laughter at hand; if the left eye, it betokens grief; but Shakespeare does not observe this distinction.

"My right eye itches now, so I shall see
My love." Theocritus, i. 37.

"Mine eyes do itch;
Doth that forebode weeping?"
Shakespeare: Othello, iv. 3.

Itching of the Lips indicates you are about to receive a kiss, or else kiss somebody.

"If your lips itch, you shall kisse somebody." -
Melton: Astrologaster, p. 32.

Itching of the Nose indicates that you are going to see a stranger.

"We shall ha' guests to-day
... My nose itcheth so."
Dekker: Honest Whore.

Itching of the Thumb according to Shakespeare, betokens the approach of evil.

"By the pricking of my thumbs,
Something evil this way comes."
Macbeth, iv. 1.

Ithacensian Suitors (The). The suitors of Penelope (4 syl.), wife of Ulysses, King of Ithaca. While Ulysses was absent, many suitors presented themselves to Penelope, affirming that Ulysses was certainly dead. Penelope put them off, saying she would give a definite answer when she had finished the robe she was weaving for Laertes, but at night she unravelled all she had woven during the day. At last Ulysses returned and slew the suitors.

"All the ladies, each and each,
Like the Ithacensian suitors in old time,
Stared with great eyes, and laughed with alien lips." Tennyson: The Princess, iv.

Ithuriel One of the angels commissioned by Gabriel to search for Satan, who had effected his entrance into Paradise. The other angel who accompanied him was Zephon (Ithuriel means "the discovery of God.")

"Ithuriel and Zephon, with winged speed
Search through this garden; leave unsearched no nook;
But chiefly where those two fair creatures lodge,
Now laid perhaps asleep, secure of harm."
Milton: Paradise Lost, book iv. 788-791.

Ithuriel's Spear The spear of the the angel Ithuriel, the slightest touch of which exposed deceit. Hence, when Satan squatted like a toad "close to the ear of Eve," Ithuriel only touched the creature with his spear, and it resumed the form of Satan.

"Him [i.e. Satan], thus intent Ithuriel with his spear
Touched lightly; for no falsehood can endure
Touch of celestial temper, but returns
Of force to its own likeness."
Milton: Paradise Lost, iv 810-813.

Itinerary (An). The notification of the route followed by a traveller. The Itinerary of Antoninus marks out all the