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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

insubstantial en · ADJ

Etymology

Probably from Middle French insubstantiel, from Latin insubstantiālis, from in- + substantiālis. By surface analysis, in- + substantial.

Meanings

  1. Lacking substance; not real or strong.
    • By manipulating the flow of magic, Eragon quickly descended from the Ra'zac's lair—which the insubstantial wall of stone once again hid—to the ledge. 2008, Christopher Paolini, “Rider and Ra'zac”, in Brisingr, pages 67-8:
    • The bridge was insubstantial and would not safely carry a car.

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
most insubstantial Degree=Sup lexicographic
more insubstantial Degree=Cmp lexicographic

Antonyms

substantial

Deriveds

insubstantiality

Hypernyms

lacking

Hyponyms

dreamy · spectral · illusory · imaginary · gaseous · shadowy · gossamer · empty · hollow

Synonyms

aery · unsubstantial · tenuous · insubstantial · ethereal · diaphanous · unreal · immaterial · airy

Translations (15)

bg нереален (Translations) · es hueco (Translations) · ja 実のない (Translations) · ro nesubstanțial (Translations) · it immateriale (Translations) · mi kikokore (Translations) · es insustancial (Translations) · pt insubstancial (Translations) · gl insubstancial (Translations) · mi korekiko (Translations) · bg нематериален (Translations) · fr insubstantiel (Translations) · es vacío (Translations) · ca insubstancial (Translations) · it inconsistente (Translations)