First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
intact
adjective in·tact \in-ˈtakt\
: not broken or damaged : having every part
Full Definition of INTACT
2
of a living body or its parts : having no relevant component removed or destroyed: a : physically virginal b : not castrated
— in·tact·ness \-ˈtak(t)-nəs\ noun
See intact defined for English-language learners
See intact defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of INTACT
Middle English intacte, from Latin intactus, from in- + tactus, past participle of tangere to touch — more at tangent
Related to INTACT
Synonym Discussion of INTACT
perfect, whole, entire, intact mean not lacking or faulty in any particular. perfect implies the soundness and the excellence of every part, element, or quality of a thing frequently as an unattainable or theoretical state <a perfect set of teeth>. whole suggests a completeness or perfection that can be sought, gained, or regained <felt like a whole person again after vacation>. entire implies perfection deriving from integrity, soundness, or completeness of a thing <the entire Beethoven corpus>. intact implies retention of perfection of a thing in its natural or original state <the boat survived the storm intact>.
Rhymes with INTACT
abstract, attract, class act, compact, contact, contract, crookbacked, detract, didact, diffract, distract, enact, entr'acte, epact, exact, extract, humpbacked, hunchbacked, impact, infract, mossbacked, playact, protract, react, redact, refract, retract, sex act, subtract, swaybacked, transact, unbacked
INTACT Defined for Kids
intact
adjective in·tact \in-ˈtakt\
Definition of INTACT for Kids
: not broken or damaged : not touched especially by anything that harms <The storm left our house intact.>
Word Root of INTACT
The Latin word tangere, meaning “to touch,” and its form tactus give us the roots tang and tact. Words from the Latin tangere have something to do with touching. Something tangible is able to be touched. Contact is a meeting or touching of people or things. Something intact is unharmed, whole, and untouched. Anything tactile relates to the sense of touch.
Medical Dictionary
intact
adjective in·tact \in-ˈtakt\
Medical Definition of INTACT
1
: physically and functionally complete <the sense of touch was intact> <intact cell membranes> : as a : physically virginal <when intact adult females were brought into heat—Anatomical Record> b : not castrated—used chiefly of a domestic animal <the medication may cause severe problems for intact female cats>
2
: mentally unimpaired
—in·tact·ness noun
Learn More About INTACT
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: intagliatedPrevious Word in the Dictionary: intabulationAll Words Near: intact
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up intact? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).