Imperviousness
Noun
Definition: The quality or state of not allowing penetration or passage; impenetrable.
Synonyms: Impermeability, Invulnerability, Resistance
Antonyms: Permeability, Vulnerability
- The imperviousness of the material protected it from water damage.
- Her emotional imperviousness often made it difficult for others to understand her feelings.
- Think of "impenetrable" as a way to remember the meaning of imperviousness.
Etymology:
The word "imperviousness" is derived from the Latin word "impervius" meaning "not admitting of passage" or "inaccessible". It combines the prefix "im-" (meaning "not") and "pervius" (meaning "admitting through").
Historical Usage:The term has been used in English since the late 16th century to describe the quality of being impenetrable or resistant to something.
Related Idioms:
"Impervious to criticism"
Explanation:This phrase refers to a person's ability to remain unaffected or unbothered by criticism, implying a strong resistance or insensitivity to negative feedback.
Misconceptions:
Confusing imperviousness with immunity or invincibility.
Explanation:While imperviousness implies resistance or protection against something, it does not necessarily suggest total immunity or invincibility. Imperviousness may refer to physical objects or emotional states, whereas immunity usually relates to the body's ability to resist diseases and invincibility implies an impossibility to be defeated.