inestimable

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Middle French inestimable, from Latin inaestimābilis, from in (un-”, “not) + aestimābilis (estimable). Equivalent to in- +‎ estimable.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ɪˈnɛːs.tɪ.mə.bəl/
  • Audio (Southern England):(file)
  • (Received Pronunciation) enPR: ĭnĕsʹtĭməbl, IPA(key): /ɪnˈɛstɪməbl/

Adjective

inestimable (not comparable)

  1. Not able to be estimated; not able to be calculated, computed or comprehended, as because of great scale, degree or magnitude.
    The Voyager spacecraft explored the solar system and continued into the inestimable space beyond.
    • 1776, United States Declaration of Independence:
      He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
  2. Venerable, great.
    • 1789, The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 15:
      On my arrival hither I found a letter from the inestimable Mr. Wythe, by which he informs me that in consequence of a late act of our general assembly he remains the sole judge of the high court of chancery.

Derived terms

Translations

References

Catalan

Etymology

From in- +‎ estimable, or borrowed from Latin inaestimabilis.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): (Central, Balearic) [i.nəs.tiˈmab.blə]
  • IPA(key): (Valencia) [i.nes.tiˈma.ble]
  • Audio (Catalonia):(file)

Adjective

inestimable m or f (masculine and feminine plural inestimables)

  1. priceless, invaluable, inestimable

Further reading

French

Etymology

    Inherited from Middle French inestimable, from in- +‎ estimable.

    Equivalent to in- +‎ estimer +‎ -able.

    Pronunciation

    • IPA(key): /i.nɛs.ti.mabl/
    • Audio:(file)

    Adjective

    inestimable (plural inestimables)

    1. priceless, invaluable; inestimable

    Descendants

    • Romanian: inestimabil

    Further reading

    Middle French

    Etymology

      From in- + estimable.

      Equivalent to in- +‎ estimer +‎ -able.

      Adjective

      inestimable m or f (plural inestimables)

      1. priceless, invaluable; inestimable

      Descendants

      References

      Spanish

      Pronunciation

      • IPA(key): /inestiˈmable/ [i.nes.t̪iˈma.β̞le]
      • Rhymes: -able
      • Syllabification: i‧nes‧ti‧ma‧ble

      Adjective

      inestimable m or f (masculine and feminine plural inestimables)

      1. priceless, invaluable

      Further reading