impossibility

Etymology

From Middle French impossibilité, from Latin impossibilitās; synchronically analyzable as im- + possibility and impossible + -ity.

noun

1. Something that is impossible.
   Meeting the deadline is an impossibility; there is no way we can be ready in time.
   Breathing had become difficult, swallowing acutely painful, and sleep an impossibility—for whenever he dropped off, the patient would choke and wake up frantically struggling for air. 1962, Aldous Huxley, chapter 8, in Island, New York: Bantam, published 1963, page 123
2. (uncountable) The quality of being impossible.
   1548, Edward Hall, The Union of the Two Noble and Illustre Families of Lancastre and Yorke, London: Richard Grafton, Henry VIII, year 15, After long reasonyng, there wer certain appoynted, to declare the impossibilite of this demaunde to the Cardinal,
   Ever since the war, in the complete impossibility of getting houses, parts of the population have overflowed into supposedly temporary quarters in fixed caravans. 1937, George Orwell, The Road to Wigan Pier, New York: Harcourt, Brace, published 1958, Part 1, Chapter 4, p. 61
3. (obsolete) The state of being unable to do something.
   Here by this petition whan we say, Leade vs not into temptation, we learne to know our own impossibilitie and infirmitie, namely that we bee not able of our owne selues to with∣stand this great and mightye enemye the deuill. 1562, Hugh Latimer, 27 Sermons Preached by […] Hugh Latimer, London: John Day, Sermon 7 p. 45
   […] out of their own torment, they [the damned] see the felicitie of the saints; togither with their impossibility of attayning it. 1607, Joseph Hall, Holy Observations, Lib. 1, London: Samuel Macham, 59, p. 85
   Many texts present him [Satan] with sadness, partly from his incapability of salvation, for want of a Saviour; partly from his impossibility to repent, because of his implacable and invincible malice. 1652, Thomas Fuller, A Comment on the Eleven First Verses of the Fourth Chapter of S. Matthew’s Gospel, London: George Eversden, Sermon 7, p. 105