Word of the Day

: August 4, 2011

irrefragable

adjective ih-REF-ruh-guh-bul

What It Means

1 : impossible to refute

2 : impossible to break or alter

irrefragable in Context

In his opening statement, the prosecutor told the jury that he would be providing them with irrefragable proof that the defendant had committed the crime.

"It is an irrefragable truth that each human life has its special needs and unique giftedness." -- From an opinion column by Ramnath Subramanian in the El Paso Times, June 2, 2011

Did You Know?

Since at least 1533, "irrefragable" has been used as an English adjective modifying things (such as arguments or data) that are impossible to refute. It derives from the Late Latin adjective "irrefragabilis" (of approximately the same meaning), which is itself derived from the Latin verb "refragari," meaning "to oppose or resist." "Irrefragable" rather quickly developed a second sense referring to things (such as rules, laws, and even objects) that cannot be broken or changed. There was once also a third sense that applied to inflexible or obstinate people.