inure

Definition of inure

Etymology

From in- +‎ ure.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ɪˈnjʊə/, /ɪˈnj�"ː/
• (US) IPA: /ɪˈnjʊɹ/

Verb

inure (third-person singular simple present inures, present participle inuring, simple past and past participle inured)

1. (transitive) To cause (someone) to become accustomed (to something); to habituate. [from 16th c.]
   
   * 1912: Edgar Rice Burroughs, Tarzan of the Apes, Chapter 6
   To none of these evidences of a fearful tragedy of a long dead day did little Tarzan give but passing heed. His wild jungle life had inured him to the sight of dead and dying animals, and had he known that he was looking upon the remains of his own father and mother he would have been no more greatly moved.
   
   * 1996, Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World
   As Tom Paine warned, inuring us to lies lays the groundwork for many other evils.
   
   
2. (intransitive, chiefly law) To take effect, to be operative. [from 16th c.]
   
   Jim buys a beach house that includes the right to travel across the neighbor's property to get to the water. That right of way is said, cryptically, "to inure to the benefit of Jim".