impenetrably
Meaning
in a way that is impossible to pass through or enter
in a way that is impossible to understand
Structure
Usage
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.
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
- 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".