intangibility

/in,tændʤə'biliti/ Cách viết khác : (intangibleness) /in'tændʤəblnis/
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intangibility

The concept of intangibility is illustrated by a thought bubble above a person's head.

Definition

Noun: - The quality of being intangible: The state or characteristic of not being able to be touched or physically grasped; lacking physical presence. - Imperceptibility to the touch: The property of not being perceptible through the sense of touch. - Abstract or elusive nature: The quality of being difficult to define, grasp, or understand clearly.

Usage
  • Used to describe abstract concepts, qualities, or assets that lack physical form.
  • Often appears in discussions about philosophy, law (especially intellectual property or assets), and abstract ideas.
  • Typically functions as an uncountable noun.
Examples
  • The intangibility of digital music files makes them easy to distribute but hard to conceptualize as property.
  • A brand's value lies in its intangibility—it's built on perception and reputation, not physical products.
  • Philosophers often debate the intangibility of concepts like love or justice.
Advanced Usage
  • Legal/Financial Context: Refers to non-physical assets.
    • The company's valuation must account for the intangibility of its patents and trademarks.
  • Philosophical Context: Discusses the nature of abstract existence.
    • The intangibility of consciousness is a central problem in the philosophy of mind.
Variants and Related Words
  • Intangible (adj): Not able to be touched; impalpable.
    • Goodwill is an intangible asset on a company's balance sheet.
  • Intangibly (adv): In an intangible manner.
    • The benefits of the policy are felt more intangibly, through increased public trust.
Synonyms
  • Incorporeality: The state of having no material body or form.
  • Immateriality: The quality of being unimportant or not consisting of matter.
  • Impalpability: The quality of being unable to be felt by touch.
  • Abstractness: The quality of dealing with ideas rather than events or physical objects.
Antonyms
  • Tangibility: The quality of being perceptible by touch.
  • Corporeality: The quality of having a physical body.
  • Concreteness: The quality of being specific, definite, and real.
Related Phrases and Idioms

(Note: "intangibility" itself is not commonly used in fixed idioms. The related adjective "intangible" is more frequent.) - Intangible asset: A non-physical asset with value, such as a brand name or patent. - Intangible quality: A characteristic that is felt or understood but not easily measured or described.

intangibility

The concept of intangibility is illustrated by a thought bubble above a person's head.

Noun
  1. the quality of being intangible and not perceptible by touch