Pronunciation: [ʌntˈʌt͡ʃəbə͡l] (IPA) 
The word "untouchable" is spelled with the letters u-n-t-o-u-c-h-a-b-l-e. It is pronounced as /ʌnˈtʌtʃəbəl/, with the stressed syllables being "un" and "touch". The consonant cluster "nt" in both the beginning and middle of the word is pronounced as a nasal sound /nt/. The "ou" sound is pronounced as /ʌ/ as in "but", while the "ch" sound is pronounced as /tʃ/. The last syllable "able" is pronounced as /əbəl/ with a schwa sound.
Untouchable is an adjective that can have multiple interpretations depending on the context. Primarily, it refers to something or someone that can't be touched physically. In this sense, it implies the inability to be physically approached or reached, usually due to being located in an inaccessible place. For instance, the peak of a mountain may be considered untouchable due to its remoteness.
The term often takes on a metaphorical meaning as well. In certain societies, an untouchable refers to a person who is excluded from the general social system, typically due to their birth into a low caste. Historically associated with the Hindu caste system in South Asia, untouchables were deemed impure and considered to be of the lowest social rank. They were thus subjected to discriminatory practices and restricted from various privileges and rights.
Moreover, untouchable can also describe someone immune to criticism or reproach, hence untouchable in a figurative sense. Such individual is deemed unassailable or invincible, and their actions or achievements are perceived as beyond reproach or defeat. For instance, a sports player who consistently outperforms their competitors and never fails to achieve victory may be referred to as untouchable in their respective field.
Overall, the term "untouchable" encompasses multiple notions ranging from physical touch inaccessibility to social exclusion and invincibility, depending on the particular context or subject of discussion.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "untouchable" is of English origin and its etymology can be traced back to the mid-19th century. It was formed by combining the prefix "un-" meaning "not" or "without" and the adjective "touchable", derived from the verb "touch". The term initially emerged in British colonial India to describe a social group traditionally considered outside of the caste system and regarded as impure or polluted by higher castes. This group, primarily consisting of those involved in jobs considered unclean or degrading, faced severe social discrimination and were believed to be untouchable in the sense that physical contact or proximity with them was considered polluting. Over time, the term became associated with the social and caste-based discrimination faced by this group and has since been used to refer to individuals or groups facing severe social ostracism or exclusion in various contexts.
