Impossible to understand or interpret; mysterious and enigmatic. Describes something that cannot be easily analyzed or comprehended.
From Latin 'inscrutabilis,' from 'in-' (not) + 'scrutari' (to examine closely). The root 'scrut' means to search or examine carefully, as in 'scrutinize.' Something inscrutable cannot be examined or understood no matter how hard you try.
Think 'in-SCRUT-able'—you cannot 'scrutinize' it successfully! Even when you try to examine it closely (scrutinize), it remains mysterious. Picture trying to read someone's poker face—completely inscrutable!
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