infallible

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See also: infal·lible

English[edit]

WOTD – 4 March 2010

Etymology[edit]

From Medieval Latin infallibilis, from Latin in- + fallibilis. Compare French infaillible. By surface analysis, in- +‎ fallible.

Pronunciation[edit]

  • IPA(key): /ɪnˈfæl.ɪ.bl̩/
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Noun[edit]

infallible (plural infallibles)

  1. A person who, or an object or process that, is taken as being infallible.

Adjective[edit]

infallible (comparative more infallible, superlative most infallible)

  1. Without fault or weakness; incapable of error or fallacy.
    He knows about many things, but even he is not infallible.
    • 1720, Samuel Fancourt, “The Remarker's second Objection produced and examined”, in An Essay Concerning Certainty and Infallibility: Or, Some Reflections Upon a Pamphlet Stiled, “The Nature and Consequences of Enthusiasm Considered, in Some Short Remarks on the Doctrine of the Blessed Trinity Stated and Defended.” In a Letter to the Author of Those Remarks‎[1], London: R. Cruttenden, page 35:
      That there may be Certainty upon an infallible Evidence in Matters of Science, I readily grant you. But since there once were Scepticks in Philosophy as well as Religion, such as doubted of every thing, I very much question, whether the whole World be agreed in this Point; unless you could assure me, that Race of Seekers is now extinct.
  2. Certain to produce the intended effect; sure.
    Try this infallible cure for hiccups.
    • 1818, Mary Shelley, chapter 4, in Frankenstein‎[2], archived from the original on 30 October 2011:
      [L]isten patiently [...] and you will easily perceive why I am reserved upon that subject. I will not lead you on, unguarded and ardent as I then was, to your destruction and infallible misery.
    • 1833, James Rennie, “The Word Gardening”, in Alphabet of Scientific Gardening for the Use of Beginners, London: William Orr, page 2:
      In precisely the same way does a quack doctor prescribe his infallible nostrum to every patient, without taking into account differences of constitution, or [...]

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