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Where does “inconceivable” come from?

Inconceivable is a formation from English inconceive, derived from Latin incipio, a compound of Latin in- and concipio, ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root keh₂p- meaning to seize or grasp.

inconceivable (English): Unable to be conceived or imagined; unbelievable

Definitions

  1. Unable to be conceived or imagined; unbelievable

Ancestry of “inconceivable”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishconceivableCapable of being conceived or imagined
2EnglishconceiveTo develop an idea; to form in the mind; to plan;...
3Middle Englishconceyven—
4Old Frenchconcevoirto conceive
5Latinconcipiō—
6Latincōn-—
7Latincumwith, along with; at; -fold
8Old LatincomAlternative form of cum
9Proto-Italickomwith, along, at
10Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómbeside, near, by, with
11Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
12Middle Englishkyt—
13Germankitt—
14Old High Germankuti—
15Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
16Proto-Germanickweduzresin
17Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
18Proto-Indo-Europeangū-to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...

Words derived from “inconceivable”

  • inconceivably
  • inconceivableness
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gū- →