adynaton

Meaning

Noun

• A form of hyperbole that uses exaggeration so magnified as to express impossibility; an instance of such hyperbole.

Origin

• Borrowed from Late Latin adynaton ("impossibility; adynaton"), or directly from its etymon Ancient Greek ἀδύνατον ("an impossibility; impracticality"), substantive neuter singular of ἀδύνατος + -ον. The word is derived from ἀ- + δῠνᾰτός (from δῠ́νᾰμαι (from Proto-Indo-European *dewh₂- ("to fit")) + -τος).