Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Impracticable?

\Im*prac"ti*ca*ble\, a. 1. Not practicable; incapable of being performed, or accomplished by the means employed, or at command; impossible; as, an impracticable undertaking. 2. Not to be overcome, presuaded, or controlled by any reasonable method; unmanageable; intractable; not capable of being easily dealt with; -- used in a general sense, as applied to a person or thing that is difficult to control or get along with. This though, impracticable heart Is governed by a dainty-fingered girl. --Rowe. Patriotic butloyal men went away disguested afresh with the impracticable arrogance of a sovereign. --Palfrey. 3. Incapable of being used or availed of; as, an impracticable road; an impracticable method. Syn: Impossible; infeasible. -- {Impracticable}, {Impossible}. A thing is impracticable when it can not be accomplished by any human means at present possessed; a thing is impossible when the laws of nature forbid it. The navigation of a river may now be impracticable, but not impossible, because the existing obstructions may yet be removed. ``The barons exercised the most despotic authority over their vassals, and every scheme of public utility was rendered impracticable by their continued petty wars with each other.'' --Mickle. ``With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'' --Matt. xix. 26.