The word "incommensurables" is spelled with three syllables and can be pronounced as /ɪn.kəˈmɛn.sjʊr.ə.bəlz/. The prefix "in-" means "not," while "commensurable" refers to things that are unable to be measured or compared. Therefore, "incommensurables" refers to a group of items or entities that cannot be accurately matched against one another. In this word, the "c" is pronounced as an "s," and the second "m" is emphasized to help emphasize the meaning behind the word.
Incommensurables are a concept derived from mathematics that refers to two or more quantities or entities that are incapable of being precisely measured or compared due to the lack of a common standard of measurement. The term "incommensurable" is derived from the Latin word "incommensurabilis," which means "not measurable together."
In mathematics, incommensurables typically involve irrational numbers such as the square root of 2 or π (pi), which cannot be expressed as a fraction or a precise decimal. For example, the diagonal of a square with a side length of 1 is an incommensurable quantity because it cannot be expressed as a rational number.
Beyond mathematics, "incommensurables" can also refer to concepts or entities that are fundamentally different and cannot be accurately compared or measured using the same criteria. This can be applied to various fields such as philosophy, linguistics, or social sciences. For instance, when comparing the value of art and science, it can be argued that they are incommensurable because they serve different purposes and possess different forms of significance.
Overall, incommensurables highlight the presence of entities or quantities that resist precise measurement or comparison due to the lack of a shared metric or standard.
Applied to quantities.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "incommensurables" is derived from the Latin word "incommensurabilis", which consists of two parts - "in-" and "commensurabilis".
The prefix "in-" in Latin indicates negation or denial, meaning "not" or "un-".
The word "commensurabilis" derives from the Latin verb "commensurare", which means to "measure together". It combines the prefix "com-" (meaning "together" or "with") and "mensurare" (meaning "to measure").
Therefore, "incommensurabilis" in Latin translates to "not able to be measured together" or "not able to be compared or related in measure".