Unclassifiable: meaning, definitions and examples
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unclassifiable
[ ʌnˈklæsɪfaɪəbl ]
general use
Unclassifiable refers to something that cannot be categorized or assigned to a specific class or group. This may be due to its unique nature or lack of clear characteristics that allow for classification.
Synonyms
ambiguous, incomprehensible, indeterminate, undefined
Examples of usage
- The artist's work was deemed unclassifiable by critics.
- The new species was so unique that it was unclassifiable within existing taxonomies.
- Her taste in music is unclassifiable; she enjoys a bit of everything.
- His performance was so original that it was labeled unclassifiable.
- The book's genre was unclassifiable, blending elements of fiction and nonfiction.
Word origin
The term 'unclassifiable' is derived from the prefix 'un-', which signifies negation, combined with the root 'classifiable.' The root 'classifiable' comes from the word 'classify,' which is traced back to the Latin word 'classificare.' The Latin 'classis' means a class, category, or division, while 'facere' means to do or to make. Thus, 'classify' essentially means to make or assign to a class. This combination of elements has been used in English since the early 20th century, evolving to describe entities that resist conventional classification, whether due to their complexity, uniqueness, or other factors that defy categorization.