impalpable

[ im-pal-puh-buhl ]

adjective

1. not palpable; incapable of being perceived by the sense of touch; intangible.
2. difficult for the mind to grasp readily or easily:

   impalpable distinctions.

3. (of powder) so fine that when rubbed between the fingers no grit is felt.

impalpable

/ ɪmˈpælpəbəl /

adjective

1. imperceptible, esp to the touch

   impalpable shadows

2. difficult to understand; abstruse

Derived Forms

• imˌpalpaˈbility, noun
• imˈpalpably, adverb

Other Words From

• im·palpa·bili·ty noun
• im·palpa·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of impalpable¹

First recorded in 1500–10; im- ² + palpable

Example Sentences

Only the originals have a true, if impalpable, connection to that man and that moment of making.

From The Daily Beast

To address Fleurette, impalpable creation of fairyland, as “old girl” was particularly distasteful.

From Project Gutenberg

As he swept his long arms, as though brushing aside some impalpable obstacle, the wolves fell back and back further still.

From Project Gutenberg

But it would see me mix it with the water; and then, would our poisons have any effect on its impalpable body?

From Project Gutenberg

Like a universe-filling, soft, impalpable dust it slowly sifted over me, bearing me under.

From Project Gutenberg

As an impalpable flake is the beginning of an avalanche, so an imprudence is often the prelude to a great crime.

From Project Gutenberg