Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
incommensurable. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
incommensurable, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
incommensurable in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
incommensurable you have here. The definition of the word
incommensurable will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
incommensurable, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From Middle French incommensurable, from Medieval Latin incommensurabilis.
Its full etymology is equivalent to that of in- + commensurable.
Pronunciation
Adjective
incommensurable (comparative more incommensurable, superlative most incommensurable)
- (mathematics, of two real numbers) having a ratio that is not expressible as a fraction of two integers.
- The side and diagonal of a square are incommensurable with each other; the diameter and circumference of a circle are incommensurable.
- (mathematics, of two integers) having no common integer divisor except 1.
- Not able to be measured by the same standards as another term in the context.
Usage notes
The term contrasts with unmeasurable and immeasurable in that both mean "not able to be measured at all", with the latter generally being because of some infinite quality of the thing being described.
Related terms
Translations
having no common divisor except 1
not able to be measured by same standards
Translations to be checked
Noun
incommensurable (plural incommensurables)
- An incommensurable value or quantity; an irrational number.
1946, Bertrand Russell, chapter 3, in History of Western Philosophy:Unfortunately for Pythagoras, his theorem led at once to the discovery of incommensurables, which appeared to disprove his whole philosophy.
Further reading
- “incommensurable”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
- “incommensurable”, in The Century Dictionary , New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
- “incommensurable”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.
French
Etymology
Borrowed from Late Latin incommēnsūrābilis.
Pronunciation
Adjective
incommensurable (plural incommensurables)
- (mathematics) incommensurable
- immeasurable
- Synonym: immense
Derived terms
Further reading