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impervious Definition

im·per·vi·ous (im pʉrvē əs)

adjective

  1. incapable of being passed through or penetrated a fabric impervious to moisture
  2. not affected by: with to impervious to pity

Etymology: L impervius: see in- & pervious

impervious Related Forms
im·per·vi·ously adverb im·per·vi·ous·ness noun
impervious Synonyms

impervious

modif.

  1. Unreceptive

    inaccessible, invulnerable, unmoved, impassive; see callous, indifferent 1.

  2. Impermeable

    impenetrable, watertight, hermetic; see tight 2.

impervious Usage Examples

Infinitive complement

  • attack: The netting over the side-hatch seems impervious to attack by the cats.
  • wind: Made by hand using the trusted techniques of the wrought-iron craft, each piece is impervious to wind and weather.

Modifying Another Word

  • totally: Expensive measures offer present solutions Liquid crystal display monitors are totally impervious to the effects of magnetic fields.
  • virtually: It is virtually impervious to corrosion, light compared to steel, and far tougher than GRP.
  • largely: By contrast, Type 2 projects remain largely impervious to our efforts at improvement.
  • almost: Our splendid main battle tank is almost impervious to the rocket propelled grenade, which is the weapon of choice of the enemy.
  • so: Just what does make a man behave the way he does and so impervious to the feelings of others.
  • not: Remember, the old, traditional materials and finishes were textured, rather that highly finished, porous not impervious.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • make: This makes the coach almost entirely impervious to radio signals, making the Handy useless.

Modifies a noun

  • container: Food storage All food, excluding live foods intended for feeding to livestock on the premise, must be stored in impervious closed containers.
  • clay: Local geology is 7 meters of sands & gravels overlying impervious clays.
  • surface: Glossary: Glaze: An impervious surface on a pot, not necessarily shiny.
  • layer: Sometimes an impervious layer may develop in some soils.
  • material: Walls The walls with which cats may come into contact must be of smooth impervious materials, capable of being easily cleaned.
  • glove: Those using dry ice or liquid nitrogen should always wear well insulated impervious gloves to protect against freeze burns.

Used with adjective complement

  • seem: The Misuse of Drugs Act seems impervious to amendment or repeal.
  • remain: By contrast, Type 2 projects remain largely impervious to our efforts at improvement.
  • become: This is to prevent the damage caused by PAS from becoming impervious to improvement.
  • appear: He does not age and appears impervious to weapons of individual destruction.
  • prove: In her innocence she ruins all their plans and proves impervious to their attempts to bump her off.