inexactitude

[ in-ig-zak-ti-tood, -tyood ]

noun

1. the quality or state of being inexact or inaccurate; inexactness.
2. an instance of this.

Word History and Origins

Origin of inexactitude¹

From French, dating back to 1780–90; in- ³, exactitude

Example Sentences

I was taught at Cambridge University that though one could not say something such as “Mr. so-and-so is a liar,” it was permissible to say, “the Right Honorable so-and-so is guilty of a ‘terminological inexactitude.’”

From Washington Post

It contains the code of information that allows it to replicate, and does so with enough inexactitude to allow natural selection to work its wonders.

From Washington Post

The OAS fired back, saying the researchers’ analysis contained “countless falsehoods, inexactitudes and omissions.”

From Washington Post

The dragon, the griffin, the unicorn, the phoenix, the centaur—these and more are represented in Muggle works of that period, though usually with almost comical inexactitude.

From Literature

Given this level of inexactitude, court findings are imprecise, sometimes criticized for findings of guilt or innocence.

From Washington Times