impermeability
UK: ɪmˌpɜːmiəˈbɪləti | US: ɪmˌpɜːrmiəˈbɪləti
n. the quality or state of being impermeable; inability to be penetrated by liquids or gases.
impermeability = im<not> + permea<pass through> + bility<noun suffix indicating quality>
- im-: A prefix meaning "not" or "opposite of," derived from Latin in- (negation).
- permea-: Root from Latin permeare (per- "through" + meare "to pass"), meaning "to pass through."
- -bility: A noun-forming suffix from Latin -bilitas, indicating a capacity or quality (e.g., "ability").
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin impermeabilis, combining im- (negation) + permeabilis ("penetrable"). Permeabilis itself comes from permeare ("to pass through"), reflecting the concept of permeability. Over time, impermeability evolved in English to describe materials or barriers that resist fluid or gas penetration, emphasizing its scientific and practical usage.
The impermeability of the rubber coating prevents water from seeping into the electronics.
Engineers tested the fabric’s impermeability to oil before approving it for industrial use.
The membrane’s impermeability to oxygen makes it ideal for food packaging.
Climate-resistant materials often rely on their impermeability to humidity.
The lab confirmed the material’s impermeability by subjecting it to high-pressure liquid tests.