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ineffable

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The definition of ineffable is something that is not able to be expressed.

(adjective)

An example of ineffable is overwhelming sadness that one does not know how to show.
An example of ineffable is the name of a deity that cannot be said out of respect.

See ineffable in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

too overwhelming to be expressed or described in words; inexpressible: ineffable beauty
too awesome or sacred to be spoken: God's ineffable name

Origin: ME < MFr < L ineffabilis < in-, not + effabilis, utterable < effari, to speak out < ex-, out + fari, to speak: see fame

Related Forms:

ineffability noun or ineffableness
ineffably adverb

See ineffable in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Incapable of being expressed; indescribable or unutterable. See Synonyms at unspeakable.
Not to be uttered; taboo: the ineffable name of God.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin ineffābilis

Origin: : in-, not; see in-¹

Origin: + effābilis, utterable (from effārī, to utter : ex-, ex- + fārī, to speak; see bhā-² in Indo-European roots)

Related Forms:

in·efˌfa·bilˈi·ty, in·efˈfa·ble·ness noun

in·efˈfa·bly adverb

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