Unpassable: meaning, definitions and examples

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unpassable

[ʌnˈpæsəbl ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

Not able to be passed, crossed, or traveled through

Word	Description / Examples
unpassable	Used to describe a route or path that cannot be traveled due to physical obstructions. The mountain trail was unpassable after the storm caused several landslides Due to heavy snowfall, the roads were unpassable
impassable	Used when something cannot be traveled through or over, usually referring to natural barriers. The thick jungle made the route impassable Flooding has made the bridge impassable
uncrossable	Used when something cannot be crossed, usually referring to water bodies or barriers. The river was uncrossable without a boat The chasm appeared uncrossable without proper climbing gear
inaccessible	Used to describe something that cannot be reached or accessed, often due to physical or technical barriers. The remote village is inaccessible during the rainy season The top-secret files are stored in an inaccessible database

The word 'unpassable' combines the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' with 'passable,' which comes from the Latin root 'passare,' meaning 'to step or go by'.
In Middle English, words similar to 'passable' indicated the ability to cross over, making 'unpassable' a direct negation of that idea.
The term has been used since at least the 18th century to describe obstacles like rivers or mountains.

In literature, 'unpassable' often describes metaphorical barriers that characters must overcome, representing psychological or moral challenges.
Works like 'The Road Not Taken' by Robert Frost explore themes of choices and the 'unpassable' paths in life that one must navigate.
This term contributes to world-building in fantasy novels where certain terrains or areas are deemed unpassable due to magical forces or mythical creatures.

Environmental studies often use 'unpassable' to refer to physical barriers like dams or cliffs that affect animal migration and ecosystem health.
In geology, impassable terrain can dictate the flow of water and influence the formation of natural features.
Certain species are adapted to live in 'unpassable' environments, like the deep sea, where few forms of life can thrive.

In some cultures, unpassable roads are symbolic of life's challenges, seen in proverbs emphasizing resilience and perseverance.
Urban legends often depict unpassable areas, like haunted houses or cursed sites, generating community narratives around fear and mystery.
In various sports, a 'unpassable' barrier might represent a major obstacle that athletes strive to overcome, like a world record.

Translations of the word "unpassable" in other languages:

🇵🇹 intransitável

🇮🇳 अप्रवेश्य

🇩🇪 unpassierbar

🇮🇩 tidak dapat dilewati

🇺🇦 непрохідний

🇵🇱 nieprzejezdny

🇯🇵 通れない

🇫🇷 infranchissable

🇪🇸 intransitable

🇹🇷 geçilmez

🇰🇷 통행할 수 없는

🇸🇦 غير سالك

🇨🇿 neprůchodný

🇸🇰 neprejazdný

🇨🇳 不可通行的

🇸🇮 neprevozen

🇮🇸 ófær

🇰🇿 өткенсіз

🇬🇪 გაუვალი

🇦🇿 keçilməz

🇲🇽 intransitable