Incommensurable

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ɪnkəˈmÉ›nsjʊəɹəbÉ™l/

Origin

From Middle French incommensurable, from Medieval Latin incommensurabilis.

Full definition of incommensurable

Adjective

1. (mathematics) Of two real numbers, such that their ratio is not a fraction of two integers.
2. (arithmetic) Of two integers, having no common integer divisor except 1.
3. Not able to be measured by the same standards as another term in the context; see measurement; contrast with unmeasurable or immeasurable, each of which means not able to be measured at all, the former more generally, the latter generally due to some infinite quality of the thing being describedThe side and diagonal of a square are incommensurable with each other; the diameter and circumference of a circle are incommensurable.

Noun

1. An incommensurable value or quantity; an irrational number.
• 1946, Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, ch. 3:Unfortunately for Pythagoras, his theorem led at once to the discovery of incommensurables, which appeared to disprove his whole philosophy.