Knowledge base
Agency Dictionary
The vocabulary of the Agency editorials: definitions, origins and examples of use, linked to the editions where each word appears.
Browse by topic
- Philosophy & Ethics
- Spirituality & Myth
- Psychology & Mind
- Science & Health
- Creativity & Learning
- Design
- Writing & Narrative
- Arts, Music & Media
- Brand & Marketing
- Business & Organizations
- Economics & Finance
- Technology & AI
- Digital Culture
- History & Civilizations
- Society & Politics
- Culture & Identity
- Climate & Sustainability
- Play & Sport
Terms: I
- iconnoun
- A simplified image that represents a thing by resembling it. In semiotics, a sign that signifies through likeness; in digital interfaces, a small picture that stands for an object or a function.
- idealisticadjective
- Characterized by the pursuit of noble principles, high moral standards, and the expectation of positive outcomes.
- Immaculateadjective
- Free from flaws, mistakes, or moral blemishes; perfectly clean, pristine, and stainless.
- Immortalitynoun
- The quality of being immune to permanent death, living or enduring beyond a single lifespan. In Archetype.0, immortality is one of the five semiotic attributes of the Phoenix: the flames are not an end but a transition, an essential phase of its immortal existence.
- Impatientadjective
- Restlessly intolerant of delay, opposition, or tedious circumstances, wanting immediate results or action.
- imperatornoun
- A title of honor originally bestowed on victorious military commanders in Rome, which later became the formal designation of the reigning emperor.
- Imperfectionnoun
- A fault, flaw, or inadequacy that prevents someone or something from reaching total excellence or ideal completeness.
- Imperishabilitynoun
- The quality of being indestructible or exempt from decay. In Archetype.0, imperishability is the power attributed to a phoenix-like symbolic object: something that survives destruction and becomes a symbol of true knowledge.
- imposternoun
- A person who practices deception under an assumed character, identity, or false professional claim.
- Impressionnoun
- An indentation or mark produced on a surface by pressure, or an effect or feeling produced in someone's mind.
- Incentivenoun
- A motivating factor, reward, or condition that incites or encourages an individual or business to take action.
- Incongruousadjective
- Not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something. In artistic critique, it denotes striking dissonance between tone and theme.
- Inertianoun
- The tendency of an object to remain at rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force, or a state of sluggish inaction in organizations.
- Inferentialadjective
- Characterized by or derived from deduction, reasoning from premises, or drawing conclusions from evidence.
- Infographicnoun
- A visual representation of information, data, or technical knowledge designed to present complex material clearly and quickly. It combines charts, diagrams, and concise text to reveal underlying patterns.
- Inquisitiveadjective
- Eager for knowledge, curious, and given to systematic investigation and inquiry.
- Instinctiveadjective
- Prompted by natural instinct or innate impulse rather than conscious reasoning or learned habits.
- intangibleadjective
- Incapable of being perceived by touch or physical senses, yet possessing recognizable economic or conceptual worth.
- Interconnectedadjective
- Having all constituent parts or elements mutually connected, reciprocal, or interrelated in such a manner that changes in one directly affect the condition or behavior of the others.
- Interdisciplinaryadjective
- Involving or combining two or more academic disciplines or professional specialized fields.
- Intertextualitynoun
- The complex relationship and dialogue between different texts and cultural expressions. It demonstrates how contemporary works constantly reference, adapt, and transform preceding ideas.
- Interviewnoun
- A structured conversation where one participant asks questions and the other provides answers, conducted for journalistic publication, academic research, or employment assessment.
- Inventorynoun
- A complete itemized catalog or aggregate stock of raw materials, parts, works in progress, and finished goods held in custody by a business enterprise for production or commercial sale.
- Ironynoun
- The expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect. Also, a state of affairs that is contrary to what one expects.
- Iterationnoun
- The repetition of a process or procedure in order to generate an improved version or achieve a desired outcome.
- iustusadjective
- A classical Latin concept describing an individual or action that is upright, fair, lawful, and morally sound.