Dictionary

undefinable en · ADJ

Etymology

Etymology tree English un- English define Proto-Indo-European *-dʰlom Proto-Italic *-ðlom Proto-Italic *-ðlis Latin -bilis Latin -ābilis Old French -ablebor. Middle English -able English -able English definable English undefinable From un- + definable.

Meanings

1. Not definable.
   • There was some little undefinable coolness between old General Chattesworth and Devereux. He admired the young fellow, and he liked good blood in his corps, but somehow he was glad when he thought he was likely to go. 1863, Sheridan Le Fanu, The House by the Churchyard:

Forms

Deriveds

undefinableness

Relateds

undefinability

Synonyms

indefinable

Translations (2)

nl ondefinieerbaar (not definable) · cs nedefinovatelný (not definable)

undefinable en · NOUN

Etymology

Etymology tree English un- English define Proto-Indo-European *-dʰlom Proto-Italic *-ðlom Proto-Italic *-ðlis Latin -bilis Latin -ābilis Old French -ablebor. Middle English -able English -able English definable English undefinable From un- + definable.

Meanings

1. Anything that cannot be defined.
   • What's interesting is ambiguity. What's interesting is the haziness, the blurrings, the undefinables, the space and tension between people, the area between the margins that pushes us to stop, to question. 2006, Sean Lennon, Paul Spickard, Kip Fulbeck, Part Asian, 100 Per Cent Hapa:

Forms