Middle English Dictionary Entry
insolī̆ble n.
Entry Info
| Forms | insolī̆ble n. |
| Etymology | From adj.; also cp. OF issoluble. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A situation from which there is no escape; (b) an unanswerable question, a problem for which there is no solution.
Associated quotations
a
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)1.279 : And so þe fend, concludid in insolible, shal ever forþinke and like togidere.
- c1475 A philosophre (Hrl 372)p.43 : This is an insolible; If I strogel, slaundred shal I be; To satisfye it is but impossible..What eyled me, lord, maryed for to be?
b
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)3.203 : Þan þe iuges sigh þat þe cause was brigons, as it were an insolible [L inexplicabile; Higd.(2): a dowte inexplicable], and put it ofto a wel longe day.
- c1450 Capgr.St.Kath.(Arun 396)4.1713 : If he be god, than muste he be eterne; If he be man, þan is he corruptible..To sey of it that it is passyble, Semeth to me a ful gret insolible.