- impregnable
- \ \ see PREY
Word origins - 2ed. J. Ayto. 2005.
impregnable
Look at other dictionaries:
Impregnable — Im*preg na*ble, a. [F. imprenable; pref. im not + prenable pregnable, fr. prendre to take, L. prehendere. See {Comprehend}, {Get} to obtain.] Not to be stormed, or taken by assault; incapable of being subdued; able to resist attack;… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
impregnable — impregnable1 [im preg′nə bəl] adj. [ME imprenable < OFr: see IN 2 & PREGNABLE] 1. not capable of being captured or entered by force 2. unshakable; unyielding; firm [an impregnable belief] impregnability n. impregnably adv. imp … English World dictionary
Impregnable — Im*preg na*ble, a. [See Impregnate.] (Biol.) Capable of being impregnated, as the egg of an animal, or the ovule of a plant. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
impregnable — index defensible, immune, inappealable, incontestable, indomitable, inexpugnable, insuperable, insurmountable … Law dictionary
imprégnable — [ɛ̃pʀeɲabl] adj. ÉTYM. 1803; de imprégner. ❖ ♦ Rare. Qui peut être imprégné (II.) … Encyclopédie Universelle
impregnable — (adj.) early 15c., imprenable impossible to capture, from M.Fr. imprenable invulnerable, from assimilated form of in not, opposite of (see IN (Cf. in ) (1)) + O.Fr. prenable assailable, vulnerable, from stem of prendre to take, grasp, from L.… … Etymology dictionary
impregnable — inexpugnable, unassailable, invulnerable, *invincible, unconquerable, indomitable Analogous words: secure, *safe: protected, shielded, guarded, safeguarded, defended (see DEFEND) Contrasted words: exposed, open, *liable, susceptible, subject … New Dictionary of Synonyms
impregnable — [adj] unyielding firm, fortified, impenetrable, indestructible, invincible, invulnerable, secure, solid, strong, unassailable; concepts 489,540,551 … New thesaurus
impregnable — adj. Dicho de un cuerpo: Capaz de ser impregnado … Diccionario de la lengua española
impregnable — ► ADJECTIVE 1) unable to be captured or broken into. 2) unable to be overcome. DERIVATIVES impregnability noun impregnably adverb. ORIGIN Old French imprenable, from in not + prendre take … English terms dictionary
impregnable — [[t]ɪmpre̱gnəb(ə)l[/t]] 1) ADJ If you describe a building or other place as impregnable, you mean that it cannot be broken into or captured. The old Dutch fort with its thick high walls looks virtually impregnable... In those impregnable… … English dictionary
