impalpable

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   unable to be touched or physically felt; intangible or insubstantial

   The mist seemed almost impalpable when she reached into it.

2. 2
   adj

   so slight, subtle, or elusive that it is difficult to perceive or understand

   An impalpable tension settled over the room before the vote.

Through Middle French impalpable from Medieval Latin impalpabilis, formed from Latin in- ('not') + palpabilis ('touchable'). Palpabilis comes from palpare, 'to touch or stroke.' The figurative sense extends physical untouchability to things too subtle for the mind or senses to grasp.

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