inenarrable
adjUS, UK /ɪnɪˈnæɹəb(ə)l/
Etymology
Learned borrowing from French inénarrable, from Latin inēnārrābilis (“indescribable”), from in- (prefix meaning ‘not’) + ēnārrābilis (“describable, explainable”). Ēnārrābilis is derived from ēnārrāre + -bilis (suffix forming adjectives indicating a capacity or worth of being acted upon); ēnārrāre is the present active infinitive of ēnārrō (“to explain in detail, expound”), from ē- (a variant of ex- (prefix meaning ‘away; out; thoroughly’)) + narrō (“to say; to relate, tell; to describe; to recount, report”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *ǵneh₃- (“to know”)). The English word is analysable as in- + enarrable. Compare ignorant and -able for the components.
- For where almyghty god is reſydent all thynges be good, whoſe goodnes is inenarrable and euerlaſtynge.1508, John Fisher, “This Treatyse Concernynge the Fruytful Saynges of Dauyd the Kynge & Prophete in the Seuen Penytencyall Psalmes. […] [Psalm CII.]”, in John E[yton] B[ickersteth] Mayor, compiler, The English Works of John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester […] Part I (Extra Series; XXVII), London: Published for the Early English Text Society, by N[icholas] Trübner & Co., […], published 1876, →OCLC, page 196:
- And Saint Peter saith that whoso believe in Christ, although they be afflicted with divers temptations, yet they rejoice with a glorious and inenarrable joyfulness.1548, Aonio Paleario, “Certain Remedies against Incredulity or Unbelief”, in Edward Courtenay, Earl of Devonshire, transl., The Benefit of Christ’s Death: […], London: Bell & Daldy; Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: Deighton, Bell, & Co., published 1855, →OCLC, page 172:
4 more examples
- The heavenly sound which shall be inenarrable, / Into their ears continually shall ring. / And eke the sight of Christ Jesus our King.a. 1556, David Lindsay [i.e., David Lyndsay], “The Monarchy; or, Ane Dialogue betwixt Experience and Ane Courtier of the Miserable Estate of the World”, in J[ohn] Ross, editor, The Book of Scottish Poems Ancient and Modern […], Edinburgh: The Edinburgh Publishing Company; London: Simpkin, Marshall & Co., published 1884, →OCLC, stanza XXV, page 292, column 2:
- VVonderfull and inenarrable is the hardneſſe of a Diamant: beſides it hath a Nature to conquer the furie of fire, nay, you ſhall never make it hote, doe what you can: for this untamable vertue that it hath, the Greekes have given it the name Adamas.1601, C[aius] Plinius Secundus [i.e., Pliny the Elder], “[Book XXXVII.] Of Diamants and Their Sundrie Kinds. Their Vertues and Properties Medicinable. Of Pearles.”, in Philemon Holland, transl., The Historie of the World. Commonly Called, The Naturall Historie of C. Plinius Secundus. […], 2nd tome, London: […] Adam Islip, →OCLC, page 610:
- The princes then, and navy that did bring / Those so inenarrable troops, and all their soils, I sing.[1611?], Homer, “Book II”, in Geo[rge] Chapman, transl., The Iliads of Homer Prince of Poets. […], London: […] Nathaniell Butter, →OCLC; republished as The Iliads of Homer, Prince of Poets, […], new edition, volume I, London: Charles Knight and Co., […], 1843, →OCLC, page 63:
- The pleasance of our starry residence, / In human, bald speech inenarrable, / Transcends your dreams of Arcady and Eden.1877, John Davidson, “An Unhistorical Pastoral”, in Plays by John Davidson […], London: [Charles] Elkin Mathews and John Lane; Chicago, Ill.: Stone and Kimball, published 1894, →OCLC, act V, scene i, page 66:
- Related terms
34 terms
enarrable, enarrate, enarration, enarrative, enarrator, narratable, narratage, narrate, narrated, narratee, narrater, narrating, narration, narrational, narrative, narratively, narrativised, narrativized, narrativise, narrativize, narrativising, narrativizing, narrativity, narrativization, narratological, narratologist, narratology, narrator, narratorial, narratory, narratress, narratrix, superinenarrable, unnarratable