The word "unknowable" is spelled as /ʌnˈnoʊəbəl/. The first syllable "un" means "not," the second syllable "know" means "to have information," and the suffix "-able" means "capable of." Therefore, "unknowable" means "not capable of being known." The correct spelling of this word can be difficult to remember, as the letters "k" and "n" are closely related in sound. However, it is essential to pay close attention to the spelling, especially in written communication, to avoid confusion and errors.
The term "unknowable" refers to something that cannot be known or understood by human perception, reasoning, or comprehension. It denotes the state or quality of being beyond the scope of human knowledge or comprehension, presenting information or ideas that are inherently inaccessible or incomprehensible to the human mind.
The concept of "unknowable" often arises when attempting to explore profound questions about existence, transcendence, or metaphysics. It suggests that certain aspects of reality or the universe are inherently beyond the limits of human understanding, eluding any possible direct observation, analysis, or explanation. The unknowable may encompass philosophical quandaries such as the nature of consciousness, the origin of the universe, or the existence of a divine being.
Unknowability can arise due to limitations of human perception and cognition, the complexity of a subject matter, or even the impossibility of gathering empirical evidence to support conclusions. Some argue that the human mind may simply lack the conceptual framework or capacity to fully grasp certain aspects of reality, making them inherently unknowable.
In summary, "unknowable" refers to the state of being beyond human knowledge or comprehension. It signifies matters that lie completely outside the realm of human understanding, fundamentally inaccessible and incomprehensible to human perception or reasoning.
The word "unknowable" is derived from the combination of the prefix "un-" and the root word "knowable".
The prefix "un-" is used to indicate negation or reversal, thus applying it to "knowable" negates its meaning, resulting in "unknowable".
The root word "knowable" is formed from the verb "know" and the suffix "-able". "Know" comes from the Old English word "cnāwan", which means "to recognize, understand, or acknowledge".
The suffix "-able" is added to root words to create adjectives meaning "capable of being" or "worthy of". In this case, "-able" is added to "know" to create "knowable", indicating that something can be known or understood.