First Known Use: 1603
Dictionary
1inarticulate
adjective in·ar·tic·u·late \-kyə-lət\
: not able to express ideas clearly and effectively in speech or writing : not articulate
: not able to speak
: not expressed clearly or easily understood
Full Definition of INARTICULATE
1
a of a sound : uttered or formed without the definite articulations of intelligible speech b (1) : incapable of speech especially under stress of emotion : mute (2) : incapable of being expressed by speech <inarticulate fear> (3) : not voiced or expressed : unspoken <society functions on many inarticulate premises>
2
: incapable of giving coherent, clear, or effective expression to one's ideas or feelings
3
[New Latin inarticulatus, from Latin in- + New Latin articulatus articulate] : relating to, characteristic of, or being an inarticulate or its shell
— in·ar·tic·u·late·ly adverb
— in·ar·tic·u·late·ness noun
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Origin of INARTICULATE
Late Latin inarticulatus, from Latin in- + articulatus, past participle of articulare to utter distinctly — more at articulate
Related to INARTICULATE
- Synonyms
- mute, speechless, voiceless
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
2inarticulate
noun
Definition of INARTICULATE
: any of a class (Inarticulata) of brachiopods lacking a hinge connecting the two shell valves
First Known Use of INARTICULATE
1952
Other Invertebrates (Except Insects) Terms
INARTICULATENESS Defined for Kids
inarticulate
adjective in·ar·tic·u·late \i-när-ˈti-kyə-lət\
Definition of INARTICULATE for Kids
1
: not able to express ideas or feelings clearly and easily <an inarticulate speaker>
2
: not understandable as spoken words <an inarticulate mumble>
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