impregnable
English
Etymology 1
From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Middle French imprenable, im- (“not”), + prendre (“to take”) +-able (“able to be the object of an action”). Intrusive g added 16c on model of deign, reign.
Adjective
impregnable (comparative more impregnable, superlative most impregnable)
- (of a fortress, wall, etc., also used figuratively) Too strong to be penetrated.
- (Can we date this quote by South and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
- The man's affection remains wholly unconcerned and impregnable.
- 2011 October 2, Jonathan Jurejko, “Bolton 1 - 5 Chelsea”, in BBC Sport[1]:
- And with Bolton suffering a wretched run of five straight home defeats - their worst run in 109 years - Chelsea fans would have been forgiven for expecting a comfortable win.
But surely they did not anticipate the ease with which their team raced into an almost impregnable half-time lead.
- (Can we date this quote by South and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
Derived terms
Translations
too strong to be penetrated
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Etymology 2
From impregnate + -able, ultimately from (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Latin impraegnatus (“made pregnant”).
Adjective
impregnable (comparative more impregnable, superlative most impregnable)
- Capable of being impregnated.
- 1979 November, “Correlates of patterns of range use of a troop of yellow baboons (Papio cynocephalus). I. Sleeping sites, impregnable females, births, and male emigrations and immigrations”, in Animal Behavior, volume 27, number 4, page 1098:
- The reproductive strategies of troop members, especially those of impregnable females, are suggested to influence patterns of range use.
Translations
capable of being impregnated
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References
- Webster's Third New International Dictionary (1966).