| 释义 |
im·preg·na·ble
I. \(ˈ)im|pregnəbəl, əmˈp-\ adjective
Etymology: alteration (influenced by impregnate) of earlier impreignable, alteration (influenced by such words as reign, deign, with silent g) of earlier imprenable, from Middle English, from Middle French, from in- in- (I) + -prenable capable of being captured, from pren- (stem of prendre to take, capture, from Latin prehendere to grasp, seize) + -able — more at get
1. : incapable of being taken by assault : able to resist attack : unconquerable, unassailable
< an impregnable fortress >
< impregnable virtue >
also : incapable of being broken into or escaped from
< an impregnable cell >
2. : being beyond criticism or question : not subject to higher authority
< an impregnable social position >
< of impregnable financial standing >
< an impregnable reputation for honesty >
• im·pregnableness \“+\ noun -es
• im·pregnably \“+\ adverb
II. \ə̇mˈpregnəbəl\ adjective
Etymology: impregnate (II) + -able
: capable of being impregnated (as an egg) |