un|touch|a|ble

un|touch|a|ble
un|touch|a|ble «uhn TUHCH uh buhl», adjective, noun.
–adj.
1. that cannot be touched, especially: a) not composed of a material substance; not tangible; immaterial. b) out of reach; unattainable. c) Figurative. unique of its kind; unparalleled.
2. that must not be touched, especially: a) that defiles if touched, especially if eaten or drunk. b) that is defiled by the touch of a human hand, foot, etc.
3. suffering from leprosy; leprous.
–n.
1. a Hindu belonging to the lowest caste in India, whose touch supposedly defiled members of higher castes. Strictly, untouchables are beneath caste. Under the constitution of the Republic of India discrimination is forbidden and the term has been replaced in official use by the phrase “Scheduled Caste.” SYNONYM(S): Harijan; panchama.
2. any person divested of caste; outcaste.
3. Figurative. any person rejected by his social group; social outcast; pariah.
4. Figurative. a thing or idea that is troublesome or risky to deal with: »

The President and his aides [were] preparing for the Herculean task of trying to cut back that political untouchable known as veterans benefits (Wall Street Journal).


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • touch´a|ble — …   Useful english dictionary

  • ca|ress´a|ble — ca|ress «kuh REHS», noun, verb, ressed or (Archaic or Poetic) rest, ress|ing. –n. 1. a touch showing affection; tender embrace or kiss: »The little boy was embarrassed by his aunt s caresses. 2. an expression of public regard or esteem; show of… …   Useful english dictionary

  • graze´a|ble — graze1 «grayz», verb, grazed, graz|ing, noun. –v.i. 1. to feed on growing grass and other herbage. Cattle, sheep, and horses graze. »Cattle were grazing in the field. The…horses were turned out to graze (Washington Irving). 2. to pasture cattle,… …   Useful english dictionary

  • graz´a|ble — graze1 «grayz», verb, grazed, graz|ing, noun. –v.i. 1. to feed on growing grass and other herbage. Cattle, sheep, and horses graze. »Cattle were grazing in the field. The…horses were turned out to graze (Washington Irving). 2. to pasture cattle,… …   Useful english dictionary

  • tan´gi|ble|ness — tan|gi|ble «TAN juh buhl», adjective, noun. –adj. 1. that can be touched or felt by touch; physical; material: »A chair is a tangible object. 2. that can be detected by touching: »a tangible roughness. 3. Figurative. a) of some importance, moment …   Useful english dictionary

  • tan|gi|ble — «TAN juh buhl», adjective, noun. –adj. 1. that can be touched or felt by touch; physical; material: »A chair is a tangible object. 2. that can be detected by touching: »a tangible roughness. 3. Figurative. a) of some importance, moment, or… …   Useful english dictionary

  • di|a|ble|ry — di|a|ble|rie or di|a|ble|ry «dih AH bluhr ee», noun, plural ries. 1. diabolic magic or art; sorcery; witchcraft: »His use of a Biblical phrase gave her a touch of shivers, of diablerie the devil at his old game of quoting scripture (Harper s). 2 …   Useful english dictionary

  • di|a|ble|rie — or di|a|ble|ry «dih AH bluhr ee», noun, plural ries. 1. diabolic magic or art; sorcery; witchcraft: »His use of a Biblical phrase gave her a touch of shivers, of diablerie the devil at his old game of quoting scripture (Harper s). 2. reckless… …   Useful english dictionary

  • ap|pos|a|ble — «uh POH zuh buhl», adjective. that can be apposed, especially (of the thumb) capable of moving to touch the tip of each of the four fingers …   Useful english dictionary

  • cir´cum|scrib´a|ble — cir|cum|scribe «SUR kuhm SKRYB, SUR kuhm skryb», transitive verb, scribed, scrib|ing. 1. to draw a line around; mark the boundaries of; bound: »The horizon circumscribed the sailor s view. 2. to surround: »the atmosphere circumscribing the earth …   Useful english dictionary

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