inˈexplicably, adv.
[f. as prec. + -ly2.]
In an inexplicable manner: † a. Inextricably, very intricately; † b. Inexpressibly, indescribably; c. Inscrutably, unaccountably.
| 1629 Bp. Hall Hypocrite Wks. (1634) 361 What is their case? Surely inexplicably, unconceivably fearefull. 1710 Berkeley Princ. Hum. Knowl. §152 The inexplicably fine machine of an animal or vegetable. 1814 Byron Lara i. xvii, In him inexplicably mix'd appear'd Much to be loved and hated, sought and fear'd. 1822 Lamb Elia Ser. i. Roast Pig, A bundle of virtues and vices, inexplicably intertwisted. 1865 G. M. Hopkins Poems (1967) 162 Meadows to them inexplicably dear. 1903 G. B. Shaw Man & Superman p. x, Inexplicably forcing you to range the hero with his enemy the statue on a transcendent plane. 1922 Joyce Ulysses 680 Was the proposal of asylum accepted? Promptly, inexplicably, with amicability, gratefully it was declined. |