impregnable
UK: ɪmˈpregnəbl̩ | US: ɪmˈpregnəbl̩
adj. 1. (of a fortress or position) unable to be captured or broken into; invulnerable.
adj. 2. (figuratively) unable to be overcome or challenged; unshakable.
impregnable = im<not> + pregn<take> + able<capable of>
- im-: A prefix meaning "not," derived from Latin in- (negative).
- pregn-: Root from Latin prehendere ("to seize, grasp"), later altered to pregn- in Old French prendre ("to take").
- -able: Suffix meaning "capable of," from Latin -abilis.
Etymology Origin:
The word "impregnable" originated in Late Middle English via Old French imprenable, from Latin in- (not) + prehendere (to take). Over time, the spelling shifted to include a silent "g" under the influence of words like "pregnant" (though unrelated in meaning). The core idea—"not able to be taken"—reflects its military origins, later extending metaphorically to ideas or arguments deemed unassailable.
The castle was built on a cliff, making it nearly impregnable.
Her logic in the debate was so sound that her position seemed impregnable.
Despite numerous attacks, the fortress remained impregnable for centuries.
The encryption software was designed to be impregnable to hackers.
His reputation as a scholar is impregnable due to decades of groundbreaking research.