imperceptibly
/ˌɪmpərˈsɛptɪbli/
adverb
Origin
Latin
imperceptibilis — not perceivable
Overview
Meaning Now
- in a manner so slight or gradual that it is not perceived or noticed.
Literal older meaning
not capable of being taken in by the senses
Language path
Latin → Middle French → English
Earliest form
imperceptibly
Earliest period
17th century
Journey
The word is derived from the Latin verb 'percipere' (to seize, grasp, or perceive), which itself is a compound of 'per-' (thoroughly) and 'capere' (to take).
Evolution
- Latin
in- + percipere + -ibilis
“not capable of being seized or perceived”
- Middle French
imperceptible
“not perceivable”
- English, 17th century
imperceptibly
“in a way that cannot be perceived”
Addition of the adverbial suffix -ly to the adjective imperceptible.
Connections
Word parts
im-
prefix
not
percept-
root
seized/perceived
-ible
suffix
capable of
-ly
suffix
in a manner of
Related across languages
French
imperceptiblement
imperceptibly
Spanish
imperceptiblemente
imperceptibly
Related words
Explore next
Related to imperceptibly
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.