The word "impalpability" is spelled with a prefix "im-" which means "not", followed by the root word "palpable" which means "able to be touched or felt". The suffix "-ity" is added to the end of the word to make it a noun, indicating the quality or state of being impalpable. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced as /ɪmˌpælpəˈbɪlɪti/. The stress is on the third syllable, which is indicated by the single vertical line (|) preceding "palp".
Impalpability is a noun that refers to the state or quality of being difficult to perceive or grasp, especially through touch or physical senses. It is derived from the Latin word "impalpabilis," meaning "not able to be touched."
In a literal sense, impalpability describes something that lacks a tangible or perceptible form. For instance, it may refer to substances or objects that are so fine, ethereal, or intangible that they cannot be felt or detected by touch. This could include elusive gases, vapors, or immeasurably thin particles.
Beyond its literal meaning, impalpability has broader metaphoric implications. It can describe abstract concepts, ideas, or phenomena that are difficult to understand or comprehend directly. These could include emotions, sensations, energies, or subtle nuances that are intangible or intangible and resist quantification. Impalpability can often be associated with elusive qualities, such as the ineffable beauty of a work of art or the intangible essence of a spiritual experience. It may also be used to describe intangible concepts in philosophical discussions, such as the nature of consciousness or the concept of time.
In summary, impalpability refers to the condition of being elusive, intangible, or difficult to perceive or grasp. Whether in a literal or figurative sense, it denotes entities or concepts that resist direct physical, sensory, or intellectual apprehension.
The quality of not being perceptible by the touch.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "impalpability" is derived from the Latin word "impalpabilis", which consists of two elements: "in", meaning "not", and "palpabilis", meaning "able to be touched or felt". The Latin term "impalpabilis" is derived from the verb "pālpare", which means "to touch or feel gently". Therefore, the etymology of "impalpability" suggests that it refers to something that cannot be touched or felt, often used to describe concepts or sensations that are intangible or difficult to perceive physically.