Incommensurate Meaning: Definition and Examples
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incommensurate
[ɪn.kəˈmɛn.sər.ɪt ]
Definitions
mathematics
Not having a common measure or equal standard; not proportionate.
Synonyms
disparate, disproportionate, unequal.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| incommensurate |
Appropriate for expressing a lack of a common standard of measurement or comparison, often highlighting an imbalance.
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| disproportionate |
Best for indicating an imbalance in size, number, or degree, suggesting that something is out of proportion and often implying unfairness or injustice.
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| unequal |
Appropriate for general situations where there is a lack of equality, often in size, quantity, or status, and sometimes with a social justice connotation.
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| disparate |
Used to describe things that are fundamentally different in kind, often highlighting a lack of harmony or connection.
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Examples of usage
- The two lines are incommensurate in length.
- His efforts and the results were incommensurate.
general
Out of keeping or proportion with something else.
Synonyms
disproportionate, excessive, undue.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| incommensurate |
Use 'incommensurate' when discussing mismatched or incompatible elements, especially in a more formal or academic context.
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| excessive |
Choose 'excessive' to describe something that is beyond what is necessary or reasonable, often implying an undesirable or negative connotation.
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| disproportionate |
Apply 'disproportionate' when describing something that is out of proportion or not balanced, particularly in quantity or size.
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| undue |
Use 'undue' to suggest something that is unwarranted, unjustified, or inappropriate, often with a negative implication.
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Examples of usage
- The punishment seemed incommensurate with the crime.
- His wealth was incommensurate with his modest lifestyle.
Interesting Facts
Philosophy
- Philosopher Zeno’s paradoxes introduced the idea of incommensurability, highlighting problems in comparing motion and rest.
- Incommensurability plays a crucial role in discussions of scientific theories, where it can describe theories that cannot be directly compared due to different conceptual frameworks.
- Thomas Kuhn’s 'The Structure of Scientific Revolutions' addresses incommensurability between successive scientific paradigms.
Mathematics
- The famous examples of incommensurate quantities include the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter (π) and the square root of 2.
- In mathematics, two geometric figures can be incommensurate if their areas cannot be measured with the same units without decimal or fractional components.
- Incommensurability in calculus deals with limits, where certain functions behave so differently that they can’t be measured with standard measures.
Cultural Studies
- Incommensurability often appears in discussions on cultural differences, examining how distinct cultures can have values or beliefs that are not easily comparable.
- Anthropologists utilize the concept to understand interactions between cultures that view practices and norms in fundamentally different ways.
- Literature explores incommensurate ideas, such as the clash between modernity and tradition, creating narratives that highlight the struggles of conflicting values.
Psychology
- Incommensurate perceptions can influence decision-making, as individuals may struggle to make choices between options that don’t seem directly comparable.
- Cognitive dissonance theory can illustrate incommensurate attitudes, where a person holds contradictory beliefs about an issue.
- The psychology of emotions can also reflect incommensurate feelings, where individuals experience emotions that don't align logically with a situation.
Origin of 'incommensurate'
Main points about word origin
- The term comes from Latin 'incommensurabilis', meaning 'not commensurable', with 'in-' meaning 'not' and 'commensurabilis' meaning 'having a common measure'.
- The word has been used in philosophical texts since the 16th century, often to describe things that are fundamentally different.
- In mathematics, an incommensurate relationship often refers to lengths that cannot be measured in whole-number ratios.
The word 'incommensurate' originated from the Latin word 'incommensurabilis', which is a combination of 'in-' (not) and 'commensurabilis' (commensurable). It entered the English language in the early 17th century. The concept of incommensurability has been significant in mathematics, philosophy, and other fields, where it denotes the absence of a common measure between two objects or entities.
See also: commensurately.