IMPALPABLE Meaning and
Definition
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Impalpable is an adjective that describes something that is not easily perceptible or able to be physically sensed or felt. It is derived from the Latin word "impalpare," which means "not to be felt."
In a literal sense, impalpable refers to objects or substances that cannot be touched or handled due to their intangible nature. For example, air and gases are impalpable because they lack physical substance and cannot be felt by touch. It can also be used to describe something that is extremely thin, delicate, or elusive, making it difficult to detect or grasp.
Figuratively, impalpable is used to describe abstract concepts, emotions, or ideas that are intangible and difficult to capture or comprehend. It often refers to subtle and indistinct qualities, such as a faint scent or a vague intuition. For instance, the concept of time can be considered impalpable, as it cannot be physically experienced but is perceived through its effects and changes.
Additionally, impalpable is employed to portray something that is morally or psychologically imperceptible, such as an impalpable sense of danger or an impalpable guilt. It can also describe something that is intangible due to its complexity or abstractness, like an impalpable philosophical concept or an impalpable artistic vision. In literature and poetry, impalpable is often used to create a sense of ethereal, intangible beauty or mystery.
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Not perceptible by the touch; extremely fine, as powder or dust in which no gritty particles can be felt by the touch.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for IMPALPABLE
Etymology of IMPALPABLE
The word "impalpable" originates from the Latin root "im-" meaning "not" or "without", and "palpare", meaning "to touch or feel". In English, it entered through the Medieval Latin word "impalpabilis", which referred to something that cannot be touched or felt physically. Over time, it developed the sense of something that is intangible, elusive, or difficult to grasp.
Similar spelling words for IMPALPABLE
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