Meaning & use
imputrescible
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Meaning
adjectivenot comparableformaltechnical
Not able to decay or rot, especially of a material or substance.
Grammar: Used as a describing adjective before a noun or after a linking verb; it has no comparative form.
Patterns
- an imputrescible substance
- remain imputrescible
- imputrescible material
The resin is imputrescible, so it lasts for decades without breaking down.
Some ancient embalming materials were found to be imputrescible even after thousands of years.
The laboratory tested whether the new coating was truly imputrescible.
Common combinations
- an imputrescible material
- The pipe is made from an imputrescible material that resists rot.
- remain imputrescible
- Under dry conditions, the wood can remain imputrescible for centuries.
- imputrescible substance
- Scientists searched for an imputrescible substance to protect the ship's hull.
Synonyms and how they differ
- incorruptible
- Incorruptible often means morally unable to be bribed, or literally unable to decay; imputrescible is used only for physical decay and is much rarer.
- nonperishable
- Nonperishable usually describes food that stays good for a long time, while imputrescible is a scientific term for materials that do not rot at all.
Opposites
Word family
- putrescible adjective
- Able to decay or rot.
- putrefy verb
- To decay and produce a bad smell.
Commonly confused: imputrescible or imperceptible?
imputrescible vs imperceptible
Imperceptible means too small or slight to notice, while imputrescible means unable to rot. They sound similar but have very different meanings.
Practice
What does 'imputrescible' mean?
Choose one answer.
The prefix 'im-' means 'not' and the root relates to rotting, so imputrescible means not able to rot. Option 1 is the opposite, option 3 describes fragility, and option 4 describes invisibility.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “imputrescible”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.