impregnable

impregnable
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 nounimpregnableness nounimpregnably adverb

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • 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;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • impregnable — impregnable1 [im preg′nə bəl] adj. [ME imprenable < OFr: see IN 2 & PREGNABLE] 1. not capable of being captured or entered by force 2. unshakable; unyielding; firm [an impregnable belief] impregnability n. impregnably adv. imp …   English World 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. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • impregnable — index defensible, immune, inappealable, incontestable, indomitable, inexpugnable, insuperable, insurmountable …   Law dictionary

  • imprégnable — [ɛ̃pʀeɲabl] adj. ÉTYM. 1803; de imprégner. ❖ ♦ Rare. Qui peut être imprégné (II.) …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • impregnable — (adj.) early 15c., imprenable impossible to capture, from M.Fr. imprenable invulnerable, from assimilated form of in not, opposite of (see IN (Cf. in ) (1)) + O.Fr. prenable assailable, vulnerable, from stem of prendre to take, grasp, from L.… …   Etymology dictionary

  • impregnable — inexpugnable, unassailable, invulnerable, *invincible, unconquerable, indomitable Analogous words: secure, *safe: protected, shielded, guarded, safeguarded, defended (see DEFEND) Contrasted words: exposed, open, *liable, susceptible, subject …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • impregnable — [adj] unyielding firm, fortified, impenetrable, indestructible, invincible, invulnerable, secure, solid, strong, unassailable; concepts 489,540,551 …   New thesaurus

  • impregnable — adj. Dicho de un cuerpo: Capaz de ser impregnado …   Diccionario de la lengua española

  • impregnable — ► ADJECTIVE 1) unable to be captured or broken into. 2) unable to be overcome. DERIVATIVES impregnability noun impregnably adverb. ORIGIN Old French imprenable, from in not + prendre take …   English terms dictionary

  • impregnable — [[t]ɪmpre̱gnəb(ə)l[/t]] 1) ADJ 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... In those impregnable… …   English dictionary

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