incompossible

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

incompossible (in-kom-POS-si-buhl) - adj., not possible together, wholly incompatible or inconsistent.


A stronger word than incompatible, which suggests that two things can't be with each other ("not congruent" as one dictionary puts it) -- incompossible suggests not just they can't be in proximity but can't both exist at the same time. Not rare if not obsolete, which is a pity as sometimes you want a stronger word than incompatible. From Latin incompossibilis, but possibly under the influence of French incompossible -- the roots break down as in-, not + com-, together + possibilis, possible, from posse, to be able.

I told my kids last week about the engagement -- Brad just sorta shrugged but Charlene still refuses to accept it, insisting that she and Felicity are incompossible and she'll never accept her as her mother.


Administrivia: I won't be able to post next Thursday -- can any of our eager volunteer backups take over for the 7th of October?

---L.

Comments

[ioanna-ioannina.livejournal.com]

For me it sounds rather as an early medieval custom of multiplying the prepositions than French influence.

"a stronger word than incompatible" - thanks for this info, that is exacly what I need. It is difficult to "feel" how strong which word is in a foreign language.

[metally-mean.livejournal.com]

lol, i liked this word.

[starphotographs.livejournal.com]

...That is a brilliant, brilliant word. 8D

[rosyaristocracy.livejournal.com]

I like this word. Thanks!

[matsyendra.livejournal.com]

While I am not questioning its validity, it sounds like a word made-up for emphasis, such as "unpossible" or "ridonkulous".