indivisibleadj.n.
/ɪndɪˈvɪzɪb(ə)l/ A. adj.
Not divisible; incapable of being divided (actually, or in thought); incapable of being distributed among a number; †incapable of being separated or detached, inseparable (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > [adjective] > united into a whole > not divided, separated, or split > incapable of being divided
indivisiblec1380
indepartable1393
unpartable?c1425
undivisible1495
inseparable?1504
unpartible?c1510
undividible1569
impartible1586
undissoluble1587
individable1601
undividual1603
undissolvable1611
individuate1621
insecable1623
individuous1624
insectile1635
indispertiblea1641
indisseverablea1641
individuated1689
indivisivea1706
partless1705
unanalysable1788
imparticipable1789
indecomposable1807
indecomponible1809
indissoluble1841
disseparablea1849
the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > one > unity or undividedness > [adjective] > indivisible
un-to-dealinglyeOE
indivisiblec1380
individualc1425
coessential1471
indissoluble?1555
individuous1624
indispertiblea1641
indiscerpible1659
indissipable1661
indivisivea1706
indiscerptible1736
irresolvable1785
c1380 Eng. Wycliffite Serm. in Sel. Wks. I. 197 Ech þing þat God contynneþ is maad of partis indyvysible.
a1530 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfeccyon (1531) iii. f. Clxxxix Fayth is a supernaturall lyght, & therfore it is indiuysyble.
1553 Bp. S. Gardiner True Obed. 43 (R.) [In] all thynges which he created, spake, or did, he was alwaies, together with the Holy Ghost, the indiuisible worker, (one substaunce of the three persons in diuinitie.)
1638 F. Junius Painting of Ancients 164 They carried him every where along as an indivisible companion.
1651 T. Hobbes Philos. Rudim. ix. §1. 135 Dominion (that is) supreme power is indivisible, insomuch as no man can serve two Masters.
1656 tr. T. Hobbes Elements Philos. 313 Besides, equality and inequality are found out often by the division of the two quantities into parts which are considered as indivisable; as Cavallerius Bonaventura has done in our time, and Archimedes often.
1698 R. South 12 Serm. III. 304 Who can resolve..the Difficulties about the Composition of a continued Quantity, as whether it is Compounded of Parts Divisible or Indivisible?
a1711 T. Ken Hymns for Festivals in Wks. (1721) I. 218 A thousand Years is but one Day In God's Indivisible Ray.
1839 H. Hallam Introd. Lit. Europe III. iii. 234 The consciousness of a self within, a percipient indivisible Ego.
1853 W. Gregory Inorg. Chem. (ed. 3) 21 According to the atomic hypothesis..matter is composed of certain minute, indivisible particles, or atoms; and consequently cannot be divided infinitely.
1870 Daily News 11 Nov. M. Gent..calls on the Marseillais in the name of the Republic one and indivisible, to carry on the war without truce or mercy.
B. n.
That which is indivisible; an infinitely small particle or quantity. method of indivisibles: a method of calculating areas, volumes, etc. based on the conception of indivisibles, published by Bonaventura Cavalieri in 1635. (Cf. quot. 1656 at sense A.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [noun] > a small quantity or amount > a very small amount
shredc1000
farthingsworthc1325
pennyworthc1330
incha1350
sliverc1374
chipa1393
gnastc1440
Jack1530
spoonful1531
crumba1535
spark1548
slight1549
pin's worth1562
scruple1574
thought1581
pinch1583
scrap1583
splinter1609
ticket1634
notchet1637
indivisible1644
tinyc1650
twopence1691
turn of the scale(s)1706
enough to swear by1756
touch1786
scrimptiona1825
infinitesimal1840
smidgen1841
snuff1842
fluxion1846
smitchel1856
eyelash1860
smidge1866
tenpenceworth1896
whisker1913
tidge1986
the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > one > unity or undividedness > [noun] > indivisibility > indivisible thing
atomOE
individuum1581
indivisible1644
1644 K. Digby Two Treat. ii. Concl. 462 One instant or indiuisible of time.
1647 H. More Philos. Poems Notes 376 If quantity consists of Indivisibles or Atoms.
1656 T. Hobbes Six Lessons v. 43 in Elements Philos. The method of Indivisibles, invented by Bonaventura.
1664 H. Power Exper. Philos. Pref. sig. B2 The very Atoms and their reputed Indivisibles and least realities of Matter.
1721 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. Indivisibles, (in Geometry), are such Elements or Principles, as any Body or Figure, may be supposed to be ultimately resolved into.
1839 H. Hallam Introd. Lit. Europe IV. viii. 10 Galileo..trod in the steps of Kepler, and..became conversant with indivisibles.
Derivatives
indiˈvisibleness n. indivisibility.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > one > unity or undividedness > [noun] > indivisibility
indivisibility1647
indivisibleness1648
indiscerpibility1659
indiscerpibleness1682
indissolubility1690
indiscerptibility1755
indiscerptibleness1775
irresolvability1838
1648 W. Montagu Miscellanea Spiritualia i. ii. §2. 19 In which the intire Trinity doth reside, the Son of God in Person, the Holy Ghost or Spirit of God by Character and impression, and consequently God the Father by the indivisibleness of his essence from their presences.
1682 H. More Annot. Disc. Truth 220 in Two Choice & Useful Treat. We will conclude with Mr. Baxter's Conceit of the Indivisibleness of a Spirit.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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adj.n.c1380