Adjacent Words

Impregnable definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

IMPREG'NABLE, a.
1. Not to be stormed, or taken by assault; that cannot be reduced by force; able to resist attack; as an impregnable fortress.
2. Not to be moved, impressed or shaken; invincible.
The man's affection remains wholly unconcerned and impregnable.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

adj
1: immune to attack; incapable of being tampered with; "an impregnable fortress"; "fortifications that made the frontier inviolable"; "a secure telephone connection" [syn: impregnable, inviolable, secure, strong, unassailable, unattackable]
2: capable of conceiving [syn: conceptive, impregnable]
3: incapable of being overcome, challenged or refuted; "an impregnable argument"; "impregnable self-confidence" [syn: impregnable, inexpugnable]

Merriam Webster's

adjective Etymology: Middle English imprenable, from Middle French, from in- + prenable vulnerable to capture, from prendre to take — more at prize Date: 15th century 1. incapable of being taken by assault ; unconquerable <an impregnable fortress> 2. unassailable; also impenetrable <impregnable walls> • impregnability noun • impregnableness noun • impregnably adverb

Oxford Reference Dictionary

1. adj. 1 (of a fortified position) that cannot be taken by force. 2 resistant to attack or criticism. Derivatives: impregnability n. impregnably adv. Etymology: ME f. OF imprenable (as IN-(1), prendre take) 2. adj. that can be impregnated.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Impregnable Im*preg"na*ble, a. [F. imprenable; pref. im- not + prenable pregnable, fr. prendre to take, L. prehendere. See Comprehend, Get to obtain.] Not to be stormed, or taken by assault; incapable of being subdued; able to resist attack; unconquerable; as, an impregnable fortress; impregnable virtue. The man's affection remains wholly unconcerned and impregnable. --South. -- Im*preg"na*ble*ness, n. -- Im*preg"na*bly, adv.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Impregnable Im*preg"na*ble, a. [See Impregnate.] (Biol.) Capable of being impregnated, as the egg of an animal, or the ovule of a plant.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

1. If you describe a building or other place as impregnable, you mean that it cannot be broken into or captured. The old Dutch fort with its thick high walls looks virtually impregnable... = impenetrable ADJ 2. If you say that a person or group is impregnable, or their position is impregnable, you think they cannot be defeated by anyone. The Bundesbank's seemingly impregnable position has begun to weaken. = unassailable ADJ

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

a. 1. Unassailable, inexpugnable, not to be taken by assault, not to be stormed, secure from capture, tenable against all odds. 2. Unassailable, invulnerable, invincible, immovable, not to be shaken, irrefragable.

Moby Thesaurus

deathless, defended, guarded, immortal, impenetrable, imperishable, incontestable, incorruptible, indelible, indestructible, indomitable, ineffaceable, ineradicable, inexpugnable, inextinguishable, insuperable, invincible, inviolable, invulnerable, irresistible, mighty, nonperishable, overpowering, overwhelming, protected, quenchless, resistless, safe, safeguarded, secure, shielded, unassailable, unbeatable, unconquerable, undampable, undefeatable, undestroyable, undying, unquenchable, unsubduable, unsurmountable, unyielding