imponderabilia

American  

[im-pon-der-uh-bil-ee-uh, -bil-yuh] / ɪmˌpɒn dər əˈbɪl i ə, -ˈbɪl yə /

plural noun

1. imponderables; things that cannot be precisely determined, measured, or evaluated.

   the imponderabilia surrounding human life.

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imponderabilia British  

/ ɪmˌpɒndərəˈbɪlɪə /

plural noun

1. imponderables

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Etymology

Origin of imponderabilia

First recorded in 1920–25; from New Latin, neuter plural of Medieval Latin imponderābilis imponderable

Explanation

Imponderabilia refers to intangible things that cannot be precisely quantified, though they do have an impact. Your favorite soccer team's success may be affected by imponderabilia such as team spirit and the intensity of fan support. The root of imponderabilia is the Latin ponderare, "to weigh." The word also includes the prefix im-, "not," and -able, "can be." Collectively, the word imponderabilia means "that which cannot be weighed" with respect to exact impact or value. Some imponderabilia include how much you love someone, the real impact of social media on an election, or the mood of an audience watching a performance. While all these things can be felt, they can't be exactly measured.

Example Sentences

The answer, as K. well knows, depends upon too many imponderabilia to be worth the cost of a cable.

From Gallipoli Diary, Volume I by Hamilton, Ian, Sir

One of the most telling factors, in every armed conflict between peoples, consists of the sum total of imponderabilia which elude analysis.

From England and Germany by Hughes, William Morris

If we take into calculation the imponderabilia, whose weight can only be guessed at, the scale is inclined slightly in favour of the Triple Alliance.

From Germany and the Next War by Bernhardi, Friedrich von