incorrigible

English

Etymology

Recorded since 1340, from Old French incorrigible (1334), or directly from Latin incorrigibilis (“not to be corrected”), from in- "not" + corrigere "to correct" + -ibilis "-able".

Adjective

incorrigible (not comparable)

1. defective and impossible to materially correct or set aright.

   The construction flaw is incorrigible; any attempt to amend it would cause a complete collapse.

2. incurably depraved; not reformable.

   His black soul was too incorrigible to repent, even at his execution.

3. impervious to correction by punishment or pain.

   The imp is incorrigible: his bottom is still red from his last spanking when he plans the next prank.

4. unmanageable.
5. determined, unalterable, hence impossible to improve upon.

   The laws of nature and mathematics are incorrigible.

6. (archaic) incurable.

Synonyms

• irredeemable
• irreparable

Antonyms

• corrigible

Derived terms

• incorrigibility
• incorrigibly

Related terms

• incorrect

Translations

defective and materially impossible to correct or set aright

Dutch: onverbeterbaar (nl), onherstelbaar (nl)

Russian: неисправимый (ru)

incurably depraved

Dutch: onverbeterlijk (nl)

impervious to correction by punishment or pain

Dutch: onverbeterlijk (nl)

unmanageable — see unmanageable

determined, unalterable

Dutch: onverbeterbaar (nl), onveranderlijk (nl)

incurable

Russian: безнадёжный (ru)

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.

Translations to be checked

French: incorrigible German: unverbesserbar, unverbesserlich

Noun

incorrigible (plural incorrigibles)

1. An incorrigibly bad individual

   The incorrigibles in the prison population are either lifers or habitual reoffenders

Translations

an incorrigibly bad individual

Dutch: onverbeterlijke (nl) m.

French: incorrigible (fr) m. and f.

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French

Etymology

Recorded since 1340, from Old French incorrigible (1334), or directly from Latin incorrigibilis (“not to be corrected”), from in- "not" + corrigere "to correct" + -ibilis "-able".

Adjective

incorrigible (epicene, plural incorrigibles)

1. incorrigible

Noun

incorrigible m. (plural incorrigibles)

1. An incorrigible