uncomparability
|un-com-pa-ra-bi-li-ty|
/ˌʌnkəmˌpærəˈbɪlɪti/
not able to be compared / beyond comparison
Etymology
'uncomparability' originates from the Old English prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' combined with 'comparability', which comes from Latin 'comparare' (to pair together, to compare) via Old French 'comparable' and Late Latin 'comparabilis'.
'uncomparability' developed by combining the negative prefix 'un-' with Middle English/Old French-derived 'comparability' (Middle English 'comparable', Old French 'comparable'), and the Modern English noun form emerged by adding the suffix '-ity' to produce the noun 'uncomparability'.
Initially derived forms emphasized 'not able to be compared' or 'not comparable'; over time the term has been used both to mean 'beyond comparison' (a qualitative, often laudatory sense) and more neutrally as 'lack of comparability' in technical contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the state or quality of being incapable of comparison; being beyond comparison in excellence or uniqueness.
The uncomparability of her performance left the judges speechless.
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Noun 2
the lack of comparability between two items or datasets — i.e., situations where comparison is impossible or meaningless (often used in technical or analytical contexts).
Due to different measurement methods, there was an uncomparability between the two studies.
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Last updated: 2025/12/26 18:19