impenetrably
UK[ɪmˈpen.ɪ.trə.bli]US[ɪmˈpen.ə.trə.bli]
adv
in a way that is impossible to pass through or enter
adv
in a way that is impossible to understand
Morpheme Breakdown
im
penetr
ably
im
not
penetr
to go into
ably
in a manner of
Etymology
the adverb "impenetrably" is built upon the latin verb "penetrare," meaning "to go into" or "to pierce." the prefix "in-" (here assimilated to "im-") negates the action, creating the sense of "not able to be entered." the suffix "-abilis" (english "-able") forms an adjective meaning "capable of being," and the adverbial "-ly" modifies it to describe the manner. thus, the word's literal progression from "not able to be gone into" evolved to describe both physical inaccessibility and metaphorical incomprehensibility.
Analysis
Structure: im (not) + penetr (to go into) + ably (in a manner of)
- im: latin origin, a prefix meaning "not".
- penetr: latin origin, from the root of 'penetrare' meaning "to go into, enter".
- ably: latin/french origin, an adverbial suffix meaning "in a manner of; capable of being".
Examples
the fortress was impenetrably guarded, with walls that had never been breached.
the philosopher's later writings are often impenetrably dense and abstract.
the jungle grew so thick that it became an impenetrably dark maze.