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intangible - 6 dictionary results

in⋅tan⋅gi⋅ble

  [in-tan-juh-buhl]
Use intangible in a Sentence
–adjective
1. not tangible; incapable of being perceived by the sense of touch, as incorporeal or immaterial things; impalpable.
2. not definite or clear to the mind: intangible arguments.
3. (of an asset) existing only in connection with something else, as the goodwill of a business.
–noun
4. something intangible, esp. an intangible asset: Intangibles are hard to value.
Origin:
1630–40; < ML intangibilis. See in- 3 , tangible

Related forms:
in⋅tan⋅gi⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, in⋅tan⋅gi⋅ble⋅ness, noun
in⋅tan⋅gi⋅bly, adverb

Synonyms:
2. vague, elusive, fleeting.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To intangible
in·tan·gi·ble   (ĭn-tān'jə-bəl)   
adj.  
  1. Incapable of being perceived by the senses.
  2. Incapable of being realized or defined.
  3. Incorporeal.
n.  
  1. Something intangible, especially an asset that cannot be perceived by the senses. Often used in the plural: intangibles such as goodwill and dedication.
  2. Law Incorporeal property such as bank deposits, stocks, bonds, and promissory notes. Often used in the plural: a state tax on intangibles.
in·tan'gi·bil'i·ty, in·tan'gi·ble·ness n., in·tan'gi·bly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Intangible

In*tan"gi*ble\, a. [Pref. in- not + tangible: cf. F. intangible.] Not tangible; incapable of being touched; not perceptible to the touch; impalpable; imperceptible. --Bp. Wilkins.

A corporation is an artificial, invisible, intangible being. --Marshall. -- In*tan"gi*ble*ness, n. -- In*tan"gi*bly, adv.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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intangible  (adj.)
1640, "incapable of being touched," from Fr. intangible (1508), from M.L. intangibilis, from in- "not" + L.L. tangibilis "that may be touched," from L. tangere "to touch" (see tangent). Fig. sense of "that cannot be grasped by the mind" is from 1880. Noun meaning "anything intangible" is from 1914.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: in·tan·gi·ble
Pronunciation: in-'tan-j&-b&l
Function: adjective
: incapable of being touched : having no physical existence : not tangible or corporeal

Main Entry: intangible
Function: noun
: something intangible; specifically : an asset (as goodwill or a patent right) that is not corporeal
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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