impalpable
Americanadjective
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not palpable; incapable of being perceived by the sense of touch; intangible.
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difficult for the mind to grasp readily or easily.
impalpable distinctions.
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(of powder) so fine that when rubbed between the fingers no grit is felt.
adjective
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imperceptible, esp to the touch
impalpable shadows
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difficult to understand; abstruse
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of impalpable
Explanation
Impalpable describes a feeling that, though real, you can’t logically explain. If you don't know why you love peanut butter and banana sandwiches so much, maybe your reasons are impalpable. If you’ve ever used the words “I can’t quite put my finger on it” to describe something that you have observed but can't really explain, then you already have a good idea of what impalpable means. Impalpable traces back to the Latin word palpabilis, meaning “that may be touched or felt.” Combine that with the prefix im-, and the word gets its meaning of something that can’t be perceived by normal senses.
Vocabulary lists containing impalpable
"The Odyssey" by Homer, Books 8–13
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Dracula
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"Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte, Chapters 1–5
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Impalpable ministers of safety and service hover about the master of the Minnewaska.
From Time Magazine Archive
Impalpable, it—solid, tangible, they; They may last, for long ages—it passes away!
From Mathieu Ropars: et cetera by Young, William
And the terns that darted among The tides seemed weaving for me Impalpable wings of peace and hope— That now have taken flight Beyond the day and the night.
From Sea Poems by Rice, Cale Young
Impalpable charm of back streets In which I find myself: Cool spaces filled with shadow.
From Some Imagist Poets An Anthology by Aldington, Richard
Impalpable, hard to seize, Eagerly rushing wherever it please, Good is the taming of mind; A mind well-tamed is a treasure to find.
From The Buddha's Path of Virtue A Translation of the Dhammapada by Woodward, Frank Lee
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
