Ineffableness: meaning, definitions and examples
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ineffableness
[ ɪˈnɛfəbəlnɪs ]
conceptual quality
Ineffableness refers to the quality of being ineffable, meaning it is something that cannot be expressed in words or is beyond our ability to describe. This term is often used in philosophical or theological discussions to describe the divine or mystical experiences that elude verbal articulation.
Synonyms
ineffability, unspeakability
Examples of usage
- The beauty of the sunset was filled with ineffableness.
- His joy had an ineffableness that words could not capture.
- The artist aimed to convey the ineffableness of emotion in his painting.
Etymology
The word 'ineffableness' derives from the Latin root 'ineffabilis,' which combines 'in-' meaning 'not' and 'effabilis' meaning 'that can be expressed.' Essentially, this concept has been used since at least the 15th century in English to denote something that is too great, overwhelming, or extraordinary to be adequately articulated. In philosophical and theological contexts, ineffableness often describes the nature of God or the sublime, experiences that transcend ordinary understanding. Throughout history, various scholars and theologians have grappled with the limitations of language in expressing profound truths, leading to the development of this term as a way to convey the idea of something existing beyond expression.