impasse

common noun

Syllable Decomposition

impasse

1761. From the prefix im- and pass. The word impasse is due to Voltaire, who used it in the masculine to replace cul-de-sac, considered indecent.

Definitions

Synonyms

cul-de-sacvoie sans issue

Plural

impasses

Translations

  • germangerman:Sackgasse
  • englishenglish:impasse
  • danishdanish:blindgyde
  • spanishspanish:callejón sin salida
  • greekgreek:αδιέξοδο
  • italianitalian:vicolo cieco
  • dutchdutch:doodlopende straat
  • portugueseportuguese:beco sem saída

See also

impassé (v.) impasses (v.)