impracticability
(ɪmˌpræktɪkəˈbɪlɪtɪ)
[f. impracticable: see -ity.]
1. The quality or condition of being impracticable. a. Incapability of being done or carried out; practical impossibility.
| 1747 Gentl. Mag. XVII. 524 Because of the impracticability of a march over the precipices. 1831 Brewster Nat. Magic xi. (1833) 293 The impracticability of foreseeing all the possible combinations of the parts. 1843 Prescott Mexico (1850) I. 222 The impracticability of the attempt. |
b. Incapability of being put to its purposed use, or of being dealt with; unserviceableness, unmanageableness; also intractability, stubbornness.
| 1764–7 Lyttelton Hen. II (1769) II. ii. 356 These great regular armies could not pursue them..from the impracticability of the country. 1766 Smollett Trav. xxxiv. II. 183 Exposed to a variety of disagreeable adventures from the impracticability of the road. 1864 Realm 30 Mar. 4 A track..which, for steepness and apparent impracticability, more resembled the bed of a mountain torrent. |
2. with an and pl. Something impracticable; a practical impossibility.
| a 1797 H. Walpole Mem. Geo. II (1847) III. ii. 40 Lord Hardwicke..had clogged it with impracticabilities, absurdities, and hardships. 1881 Blackw. Mag. May 559 He was equally an impracticability while armour was employed. |