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inscrutability (n.)
1650s, from inscrutable + -ity.
Entries linking to inscrutability
-ity
word-forming element making abstract nouns from adjectives and meaning "condition or quality of being ______," from Middle English -ite, from Old French -ete (Modern French -ité) and directly from Latin -itatem (nominative -itas), suffix denoting state or condition, composed of -i- (from the stem or else a connective) + the common abstract suffix -tas (see -ty (2)).
Roughly, the word in -ity usually means the quality of being what the adjective describes, or concretely an instance of the quality, or collectively all the instances; & the word in -ism means the disposition, or collectively all those who feel it. [Fowler]
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<a href="https://www.etymonline.com/word/inscrutability">Etymology of inscrutability by etymonline</a>
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Harper, D. (n.d.). Etymology of inscrutability. Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved $(datetime), from https://www.etymonline.com/word/inscrutability
Chicago style:
Harper Douglas, “Etymology of inscrutability,” Online Etymology Dictionary, accessed $(datetime), https://www.etymonline.com/word/inscrutability.
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Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of inscrutability.” Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/inscrutability. Accessed $(datetimeMla).
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D. Harper. “Etymology of inscrutability.” Online Etymology Dictionary. https://www.etymonline.com/word/inscrutability (accessed $(datetime)).
updated on August 15, 2012
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Dictionary entries near inscrutability
insatiability
insatiable
insatiate
inscribe
inscription
inscrutability
inscrutable
insect
insectarium
insecticide
insectivore