imperceptible
[im-per-sep-tuh-buh l]
- very slight, gradual, or subtle: the imperceptible slope of the road.
- not perceptible; not perceived by or affecting the senses.
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- something not capable of being perceived by the senses: metaphysical speculation about imperceptibles.
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Origin of imperceptible
Synonyms
See more synonyms for imperceptible on Thesaurus.com2. hidden, unperceivable, undetectable.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for imperceptible
Contemporary Examples
The nature of the harm allegedly caused by Goddard was “subtle, imperceptible and pernicious.”
The number of straight men who change their name upon marriage, remains so tiny as to be imperceptible.
He might have overcome his drawl, lobbying past, and imperceptible poll ratings to win the GOP nomination.
Historical Examples
God's beginnings are imperceptible, whether in the region of soul or of matter.
Weighed and WantingGeorge MacDonald
He was accused of putting on an imperceptible touch of rouge.
The Memoirs of Louis XIV., His Court and The Regency, CompleteDuc de Saint-Simon
He made no reply, but questioned her by an imperceptible movement of the eyelids.
The DownfallEmile Zola
Those which are equal are imperceptible, and we call them transparent.
TimaeusPlato
Little by little a faint hope crept into my mind—fragile, often imperceptible.
The Prodigal ReturnsLilian Staveley
imperceptible
- too slight, subtle, gradual, etc, to be perceived
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for imperceptible
adj.
early 15c., from French imperceptible (early 15c.), from Medieval Latin imperceptibilis, from assimilated form of in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + perceptibilis (see perceptible). Related: Imperceptibly. OED marks imperceivable as "Now rare."
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper