impermeable
UK[ɪmˈpɜːmiəbl̩]US[ɪmˈpɜːrmiəbl̩]
adj
Not allowing a liquid or gas to pass through.
adj
(Figuratively) Not affected or influenced by something.
Morpheme Breakdown
im
permea
ble
im
not
permea
pass through
ble
capable of
Etymology
The word 'impermeable' is a direct borrowing from Late Latin impermeabilis. It is constructed from the Latin prefix in- (meaning 'not'), the verb permeare ('to pass through', itself from per- 'through' + meare 'to go, pass'), and the adjectival suffix -abilis ('able to be'). The literal construction "not able to be passed through" perfectly captures the modern physical meaning. Over time, this concrete meaning was logically extended to abstract contexts, describing a person or thing that is not affected or penetrated by external influences like criticism or emotion.
Analysis
Structure: im (not) + permea (pass through) + ble (capable of)
- im: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "not" or "without".
- permea: From the Latin root permea- (from permeare meaning 'to pass through'), representing the core concept of passing or penetrating.
- ble: A suffix of Latin origin (-bilis) used to form adjectives meaning "capable of, able to be".
Examples
The material is coated with an impermeable layer to protect it from moisture.
He maintained an impermeable calm during the entire crisis.
This type of rock is impermeable to water.