irrefragable

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 4, 2011 is: irrefragable • \ih-REF-ruh-guh-bul\  • adjective 1 : impossible to refute 2 : impossible to break or alter Examples: 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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.