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Illegibility: meaning, definitions and examples

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illegibility

 

[ ɪlɪˈdʒɛlɪbiːlɪti ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

quality of writing

Illegibility refers to the quality of being difficult or impossible to read due to poor handwriting, printing, or other forms of writing. This term is often used to describe documents or texts where the characters are not easily discernible. Illegibility can result from a variety of factors, including faded ink, messy handwriting, or overly complex fonts. In legal and official contexts, illegible documents may lead to misunderstandings or disputes, as the intended information may not be accurately conveyed.

Synonyms

incomprehensibility, obscurity, unreadability

Examples of usage

  • The lawyer refused to accept the illegibility of the document as an excuse.
  • The illegibility of her notes made studying very difficult.
  • Illegibility in medical prescriptions can lead to serious errors.

Translations

Translations of the word "illegibility" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ilegibilidade

🇮🇳 अस्पष्टता

🇩🇪 Unleserlichkeit

🇮🇩 ketidakjelasan

🇺🇦 недочитуваність

🇵🇱 nieczytelność

🇯🇵 判読不可能

🇫🇷 illégibilité

🇪🇸 ilegibilidad

🇹🇷 okunamazlık

🇰🇷 불명확성

🇸🇦 صعوبة القراءة

🇨🇿 nečitelnost

🇸🇰 nečitateľnosť

🇨🇳 难以辨认

🇸🇮 nečitljivost

🇮🇸 óskýrleiki

🇰🇿 оқылмаушылық

🇬🇪 უხილავი

🇦🇿 oxunmazlıq

🇲🇽 ilegibilidad

Word origin

The term 'illegibility' is derived from the Latin root 'legibilis', which means 'able to be read', combined with the prefix 'il-', indicating negation. The prefix 'il-' is a variant of 'in-', a common negating particle in English. The word has evolved since its first recorded use in the early 19th century, when it began to appear in written texts to describe the general difficulty in reading certain forms of handwriting or printed text. Over time, 'illegibility' has found its place in various fields, including law, academia, and healthcare, as the need for clear communication in written documents has become increasingly important. Its usage highlights the significance of legible writing in effective communication and the pitfalls associated with poor writing practices.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,530, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.