inimitable
English edit
Etymology edit
Borrowed from Middle French inimitable, from Latin inimitabilis, corresponding to in- + imitable.
Pronunciation edit
Adjective edit
inimitable (comparative more inimitable, superlative most inimitable)
- Beyond imitation, surpassing all others; matchless.
- Antonyms: imitable, commonplace
- 1697, J[ohn] Evelyn, “Instructions How to Collect, and Procure such Medals as are Antique, and Rare; and to Distinguish the True from the False, for the Prevention of Frauds and Impostures”, in Numismata. A Discourse of Medals, Antient and Modern. […], London: […] Benj[amin] Tooke […], →OCLC, page 201:
- Moreover, a perfect Medal has its Profile and out-ſtroaks ſharp (Nummus aſper) and by no means rugged; the Figures clean and well poliſh'd; the Contours neatly trimm'd, and exactly round and carefully preſerv'd; that the Extancy and Relievos correſpond with the Ingraving, and have not ſuffer'd in Percuſſion; in all which, there is a certain Spirit of Antiquity and Excellency to be diſcern'd in Antient Medals almoſt inimitable.
- 1947, Miriam Allen deFord, “Laureate of Bohemia: George Sterlin”, in They Were San Franciscans, Caldwell, Idaho: The Caxton Printers, Ltd., page 306:
- Sterling himself, though he had the most picturesque and inimitable vocabulary of vituperation, was highly squeamish about ordinary smut or profanity. He had indeed that nice-Nelliness which is often characteristic of the Don Juan type.
Usage notes edit
Not to be confused with inimicable (“harmful, hostile”).
Derived terms edit
Translations edit
beyond imitation
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See also edit
French edit
Etymology edit
Pronunciation edit
Adjective edit
inimitable (plural inimitables)
Derived terms edit
Further reading edit
- “inimitable”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.
Spanish edit
Pronunciation edit
Adjective edit
inimitable m or f (masculine and feminine plural inimitables)
Derived terms edit
Further reading edit
- “inimitable”, in Diccionario de la lengua española, Vigésima tercera edición, Real Academia Española, 2014