ineffable [ɪnˈefəbl]
adj. incapable of being expressed in words: indescribable 难以形容的/不言而喻的,难以言表的
s. unutterable, incommunicable, inenarrable
英英解析:
Anything ineffable is unspeakably beautiful, moving, or horrible. It’s beyond
expression. If something is so powerful or emotional that you can't even
describe it, it’s ineffable.
Ineffable ideas and emotions are difficult to put into words. Parents might
feel an ineffable sadness and pride when watching their youngest child graduate
from high school. Ineffable can also be used to describe a name that is so
sacred you’re not allowed to say it. This word comes from the adjective effable
, which means “something that can lawfully be expressed in words,” and isn’t
used much anymore.
Definitions of ineffable
1. adjective
defying expression or description
“ineffable ecstasy”
synonyms: indefinable, indescribable, unspeakable, untellable, unutterable
inexpressible, unexpressible
defying expression
2. adjective
too sacred to be uttered
“the ineffable name of the Deity”
synonyms: unnameable, unspeakable, unutterable
sacred
concerned with religion or religious purposes
助记:
in-,不,非,ef-,向外,-fab,说出,词源同fable,phone.即不好说的,引申词义难以言喻的。
in+ef+ fable. fable means story. story can be told. in-fable means something which can not be uttered such as the name of Lord Voldemort (from Harry Potter).
例句
1. The beauty of a sunset is ineffable.
日落的美是难以形容的。
2. The terror had at long intervals given place to a feeling of an almost ineffable sweetness.
这种胆战心惊的感觉就偶尔让位给一种简直说不出的甜蜜的感觉了。
3. She sighed a sigh of ineffable satisfaction, as if her cup of happiness were now full.
她发出了一声说不出多么满意的叹息, 仿佛她的幸福之杯已经斟满了。