online medical dictionary | definition of impracticable

1. Not practicable; incapable of being performed, or accomplished by the means employed, or at command; impossible; as, an impracticable undertaking.

2. Not to be overcome, presuaded, or controlled by any reasonable method; unmanageable; intractable; not capable of being easily dealt with; used in a general sense, as applied to a person or thing that is difficult to control or get along with. "This though, impracticable heart Is governed by a dainty-fingered girl." (Rowe) "Patriotic butloyal men went away disguested afresh with the impracticable arrogance of a sovereign." (Palfrey)

3. Incapable of being used or availed of; as, an impracticable road; an impracticable method.

Synonyms: Impossible, infeasible.

Impracticable, Impossible. A thing is impracticable when it can not be accomplished by any human means at present possessed, a thing is impossible when the laws of nature forbid it. The navigation of a river may now be impracticable, but not impossible, because the existing obstructions may yet be removed. "The barons exercised the most despotic authority over their vassals, and every scheme of public utility was rendered impracticable by their continued petty wars with each other." . "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." .

(01 Mar 1998)