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incorrigible. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
incorrigible, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
incorrigible in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
incorrigible you have here. The definition of the word
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English
Etymology
From Middle English incorrigible, from Middle French incorrigible (1334), or directly from Latin incorrigibilis (“not to be corrected”), from in- (“not”) + corrigere (“to correct”) + -ibilis (“-able”), equivalent to in- + corrigible. Recorded since 1340.
Pronunciation
Adjective
incorrigible (not comparable)
- Defective and impossible to materially correct or set aright.
The construction flaw is incorrigible; any attempt to amend it would cause a complete collapse.
- Incurably depraved; not reformable.
His dark soul was too incorrigible to repent, even at his execution.
- Impervious to correction by punishment or pain.
- Unmanageable.
2006 December 7, Michael White, “Breaking up is hard to do, even at the Treasury”, in The Guardian, London:Gordon Brown may have his grumpy, Granita moments, but as a strategist he is an incorrigible optimist.
- Determined, unalterable, hence impossible to improve upon.
The laws of nature and mathematics are incorrigible.
- (archaic) Incurable.
1859, The British Journal of Psychiatry, volume 6, page 312:It may appear as an epidemic, as a hereditary complaint, or as an obstinate and incorrigible disease again and again recurring.
Synonyms
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Antonyms
Derived terms
Translations
defective and materially impossible to correct or set aright
impervious to correction by punishment or pain
Translations to be checked
Noun
incorrigible (plural incorrigibles)
- An incorrigibly bad individual.
The incorrigibles in the prison population are either lifers or habitual reoffenders.
Translations
an incorrigibly bad individual
French
Etymology
Recorded since 1334 as Middle French incorrigible, from Latin incorrigibilis (“not to be corrected”). Morphologically, from in- + corrigible.
Pronunciation
Adjective
incorrigible (plural incorrigibles)
- incorrigible
- Synonyms: indécrottable, irrécupérable
- Antonyms: corrigible, corrigeable
Derived terms
Noun
incorrigible m (plural incorrigibles)
- an incorrigible
Further reading
Middle English
Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French incorrigible, from Latin incorrigibilis.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /inˌkɔriˈdʒiːbəl/, /inˈkɔridʒibəl/
Adjective
incorrigible (Late Middle English)
- insoluble, unmanageable
- irredeemable, not reformable
Descendants
References
Middle French
Etymology
Learned borrowing from Latin incorrigibilis.
Adjective
incorrigible m or f (plural incorrigibles)
- unpunished
Pource que nous ne vouloiens mie que telz fais demourast incorrigibles […]- Because we don't want such deeds to go unpunished
Descendants
References