unpossibleadj.n.
/(ˌ)ʌnˈpɒsᵻbl/, U.S. /ˌənˈpɑsəb(ə)l/ Impossible. Frequently with to infinitive: impossible to do something. Now chiefly colloquial and regional.Very common c1400–1660.In quot. 1581 as n.: that which is impossible.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > impossibility > [adjective]
unmightyOE
impossible1340
unpossiblea1382
unmightful?a1425
unfeasible1527
out of the question1607
card1813
unrealizable1832
irrealizable1853
inoperable1975
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Wisd. xvi. 15 Thyn hond to fleen is vnpossible [L. impossibile].
c1390 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Vernon) (1867) A. xi. l. 225 Poul prouiþ it is vnpossible riche men in heuene.
1453 in J. Stevenson Lett. & Papers Illustr. Wars Eng. in France (1864) II. 488 It is unpossible unto us so sone to purvey for the saide socours.
c1475 ( Surg. Treat. in MS Wellcome 564 f. 57 (MED) Rasis seiþ, whos face is not semely, he ys vnpossible to haue gode maneris.
c1475–1600 (a1473) J. Fortescue Declaration in Wks. (1869) I. 535 The forsayd minor is now clerely proved unpossible.
a1500 Mock Serm. in T. Wright & J. O. Halliwell Reliquiæ Antiquæ (1845) I. 84 (MED) An ill drynker is unpossibull hevone for to wynne.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. cxlv. 173 The frenchemen coude natte passe no way, without they wolde haue gone through the marshes, the whiche was vnpossyble.
1570 T. Wilson Life Demosthenes in tr. Demosthenes 3 Orations 127 Vnpossible it is for anye one to deceyue him.
1581 R. Mulcaster Positions iv. 17 Nothing giuen to the vnpossible, where possibilitie must take place.
?1610 J. Fletcher Faithfull Shepheardesse ii. sig. D2 Whose griefe..to anothers eie, May seeme vnpossible of remedie.
1697 G. Burghope Disc. Relig. Assemblies 169 There's nothing requir'd of us..which is unpossible.
1773 O. Goldsmith She stoops to Conquer ii. 18 By the laws, your worship, that's parfectly unpossible.
1866 F. Marryat For Ever & Ever II. 194 That is an unpossible thing, Sir.
1897 R. M. Gilchrist Peakland Faggot ii. 20 Et's onpossible, wi' them purgatories on th' harstone, to keep ashes fro' flyin.
1901 ‘G. Douglas’ House with Green Shutters v. 35 ‘Oh,’ said Tam solemnly, ‘that's on-possible! Gourlay's seeking the three pound!’
1969 R. A. Heinlein Let. 12 Nov. in R. A. Heinlein & V. Heinlein Grumbles from Grave (1990) 197 No question of a body stocking in this case. Un-possible!
2008 L. D. Brodsky Dine-rite 28 It's goddamn-to-hell next to unpossible To serve up taste-temptin' eats.
Derivatives
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > impossibility > [noun]
impossibleness1447
unpossibility?1492
impossibilitya1530
unpossibleness1561
impredicability1906
1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione Courtyer iv. sig. Ss.ii The vnpossiblenes of ye matter.
1583 A. Marten tr. P. M. Vermigli Common Places i. 225 (margin) A proofe of mans vnpossiblenes to keepe the lawe.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.n.a1382