different between intractable vs infeasible

English

Etymology

From in- +? tractable

Adjective

intractable (comparative more intractable, superlative most intractable)

1. Not tractable; not able to be managed, controlled, governed or directed.
2. (mathematics) (of a mathematical problem) Not able to be solved.
3. (of a problem) Difficult to deal with, solve, or manage.
4. (of a person) Stubborn; obstinate.
5. (medicine) Difficult to treat (of a medical condition).

Derived terms

• intractability
• intractableness
• intractably

Translations

References

• intractable in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• intractable in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.

English

Etymology

From in- +? feasible. Cognate to French infaisable.

Adjective

infeasible (comparative more infeasible, superlative most infeasible)

1. not feasible

   Antonym: feasible

Usage notes

Usage varies between infeasible, unfeasible, and “not feasible” – all are synonymous, but usage varies regionally and over time, and unfamiliar usage is often jarring or sounds wrong. Today infeasible is somewhat more common in American usage, though traditionally unfeasible was more common, being surpassed by infeasible in the late 1970s (in both America and Britain). Of these, infeasible is etymologically pure – formed of French/Latin roots – and cognate to French infaisable, while unfeasible is hybrid, combining Germanic un- with Latinate feasible.

Derived terms

Translations

References