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.
Show More
- something not capable of being perceived by the senses: metaphysical speculation about imperceptibles.
Show More
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 imperceptibly
Contemporary Examples
The sun, I notice on this day when Daylight Saving has reverted to Standard Time, has imperceptibly set.
Historical Examples
Steadily, imperceptibly, and surely, until it was paramount and supreme.
Life And Adventures Of Martin ChuzzlewitCharles Dickens
I had seen it, the slight puff of the earlobes—oh, so imperceptibly slight.
The House of PrideJack London
Imperceptibly, Helen straightened herself and took a breath.
Moor FiresE. H. (Emily Hilda) Young
Slowly, imperceptibly, the orientation of the planet has changed.
The Life RadiantLilian Whiting
He drifted away from Miriam imperceptibly, without knowing he was going.
Sons and LoversDavid Herbert Lawrence
imperceptible
- too slight, subtle, gradual, etc, to be perceived
Show More
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 imperceptibly
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."
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper