unattributableadj.
/ˌʌnəˈtrɪbjᵿtəbl/, U.S. /ˌənəˈtrɪbjədəb(ə)l/ (un- prefix1 1b).
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > attribution or assignment of cause > [adjective] > attributable or imputable > not attributable to
unattributable1812
non-attributable1953
the mind > language > naming > anonymity or lack of a name > [adjective] > of unknown authorship or provenance
nameless1529
fatherless1541
authorless1613
anon.?1696
unassigned1868
masterless1899
unattributable1967
1812 L. Hunt in Examiner 11 May 289/2 Whatever may be the..cause of the misfortune, and however unattributable to the people.
1967 Listener 9 Nov. 594/2 The ‘unattributable’ story, which is valid information to be published as long as the source is not identified.
1972 T. Lilley K Section xli. 229 The information is unattributable and for your ears only.
Draft additions 1993
unaˈttributably adv.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > attribution or assignment of cause > [adverb] > not attributively
unattributably1974
unattributively1985
1974 ‘J. le Carré’ Tinker, Tailor xxvi. 226 He rang a press contact and told him..he could use the story unattributably.
1989 Guardian 29 July 23/6 No one has identified Sir Geoffrey's ‘friends’ this week, quite properly since their information about his job offers was given unattributably.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1812