impalpable
UK: /ɪmˈpælpəb(ə)l/ | US: /ɪmˈpælpəb(ə)l/
adj. unable to be felt by touch; intangible
adj. difficult to grasp mentally; elusive
impalpable = im<not> + palp<touch> + able<capable of>
- im<not>: Latin prefix meaning "not" or "opposite of."
- palp<touch>: From Latin palpare ("to touch softly"), also seen in words like "palpate" (to examine by touch).
- able<capable of>: Suffix indicating capacity or ability.
Etymology Origin:
The word "impalpable" traces back to Latin im- (negation) + palpare (to touch), reflecting its core meaning of "untouchable." Over time, it expanded metaphorically to describe abstract concepts that are hard to grasp, such as ideas or emotions. The suffix -able reinforces the idea of capability, creating a term that literally means "not capable of being touched."
The artist aimed to capture the impalpable beauty of twilight in her painting.
His argument relied on impalpable evidence, leaving the jury unconvinced.
The mist was so thin it seemed almost impalpable.
She felt an impalpable sense of dread as she entered the abandoned house.
Quantum physics deals with phenomena that are often impalpable to human senses.