insoluble
pronunciation
How to pronounce insoluble in British English:
UK [ɪnˈsɒljəbl]
How to pronounce insoluble in American English:
US [ɪnˈsɑljəbl]
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- Adjective:
- (of a substance) not easily dissolved
- admitting of no solution or explanation
- without hope of solution
Word Origin
- insoluble (adj.)
- late 14c., "unable to be loosened," from Latin insolubilis "that cannot be loosened," from in- "not" (see in- (1)) + solubilis (see soluble). Figurative use, of problems, etc., is from late 14c.It was a tacit conviction of the learned during the Middle Ages that no such thing as an insoluble question existed. There might be matters that presented serious difficulties, but if you could lay them before the right man -- some Arab in Spain, for instance, omniscient by reason of studies into the details of which it was better not to inquire -- he would give you a conclusive answer. The real trouble was only to find your man. [Gertrude Bell, "The Desert and the Sown," 1907]
Synonym
Antonym
Example
- 1. Insoluble fiber passes through our intestines largely intact .
- 2. Modern technology has solved so many hitherto insoluble problems .
- 3. Hard white deposits are insoluble in water may sometimes occur .
- 4. An insoluble crystalline acid present in bile .
- 5. Graphite and even its liner counterpart , poly p-phenylene are too insoluble .