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ineffable definition

in·ef·fable (in ef′ə bəl)

adjective

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

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

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

ineffable Synonyms

ineffable

modif.

inexpressible, unutterable, unspeakable, indescribable; see impossible 1, mysterious 2.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

ineffable Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • mystery: From generation to generation, the wonder evoked by this ineffable mystery never ceases.

Modifying Another Word

  • ultimately: Furthermore no senses operate at this level and the nature of the Atman is ultimately ineffable.

Used with adjective complement

  • remain: Hopefully, meanwhile, something about the film remains ineffable until next time.
ineffable usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

ineffable quotes

When you notice a cat in profound meditation The reason, I tell you, is always the same: His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation Of the thought, of the thought, of the thought of his name: His ineffable effable Effanineffable Deep and inscrutable singular name.

-Eliot,T(homas) S(tearns)

He comes to us as One unknown, without a name, as of old, by the lakeside, He came to those who knew Him not. He speaks to us the same word: 'Follow thou me!' and setsustothetaskswhich Hehastofulfil forour time. He commands. And to those who obey Him, whether they be wise or simple,He will reveal Himself inthetoils, the conflicts, the sufferings which they shall pass through in His fellowship, and, as an ineffable mystery, they shall learn in their own experience who He is.

-Schweitzer, Albert

ineffable quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"ineffable." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/ineffable>

APA Style

ineffable. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/ineffable

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