incommensurability

C2 Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /ˌɪŋkəˌmɛnʃɚəˈbɪləti/ UK /ˌɪnkəˌmenʃərəˈbɪləti/ See IPA manual

Meanings

1

noun
the absence of a common standard by which two things can be measured, compared, or evaluated

The debate exposed the incommensurability of economic efficiency and sacred cultural value.
2

noun
the mathematical property of two magnitudes whose ratio cannot be expressed as a ratio of whole numbers

The incommensurability of a square's diagonal and side means that their ratio is irrational.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · the absence of a common... incomparabilitynoncomparabilityincompatibility

2 noun · the mathematical property... irrational ratioabsence of a common measure

Opposites

commensurabilitycomparability compatibility

Word family

Related forms incommensurable commensurate measureirrational number

Etymology

Formed from incommensurable and -ity. Incommensurable ultimately combines Latin in-, 'not,' with commensurabilis, 'measurable by a common standard,' from com-, 'together,' and mensurare, 'to measure.' The mathematical sense supplied the metaphor used in philosophy and social science.

Topics

Abstract Ideas Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# incommensurability

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˌɪŋkəˌmɛnʃɚəˈbɪləti/
**IPA (UK):** /ˌɪnkəˌmenʃərəˈbɪləti/

## Meanings
1. the absence of a common standard by which two things can be measured, compared, or evaluated
2. the mathematical property of two magnitudes whose ratio cannot be expressed as a ratio of whole numbers

## Examples
- The debate exposed the incommensurability of economic efficiency and sacred cultural value.
- The incommensurability of a square's diagonal and side means that their ratio is irrational.

## Synonyms
- incomparability
- noncomparability
- incompatibility

## Antonyms
- commensurability
- comparability
- compatibility

## Related Forms
- incommensurable
- commensurate
- measure
- irrational number

## Etymology
Formed from incommensurable and -ity. Incommensurable ultimately combines Latin in-, 'not,' with commensurabilis, 'measurable by a common standard,' from com-, 'together,' and mensurare, 'to measure.' The mathematical sense supplied the metaphor used in philosophy and social science.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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