different between peccable vs impeccable

English

Etymology

From Medieval Latin pecc?bilis, from Latin pecc? (“I sin”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?p?.k?.b?l/

Adjective

peccable

1. Liable to sin; subject to transgress the divine law.
   • a. 1688, Ralph Cudworth, A Treatise of Freewill

     But to be mutable or changeable in way of diminution, lapsable or peccable, is an essential property of a rational imperfect being.

Related terms

• impeccable
• peccant

Further reading

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

English

Etymology

From Middle French impeccable, from Latin impeccabilis (“not liable to sin”), from im- (“not”) + peccare (“to err, to sin”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?m?p?k?b?l/

Adjective

impeccable (comparative more impeccable, superlative most impeccable)

1. Perfect, without faults, flaws or errors

   The only impeccable writers are those who never wrote. - William Hazlitt

   He grew up in Norway, but he writes impeccable English.

2. Incapable of wrongdoing or sin; immaculate

   It was easy for James V to imprison Lady Glamis, but actually convicting her was far more difficult; her character was impeccable and she was highly respected by all who knew her.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:flawless

Related terms

• peccable
• peccant

Translations

Further reading

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

French

Etymology

Borrowed from Late Latin impecc?bilis, from pecc?re (whence pécher).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??.p?.kabl/

Adjective

impeccable (plural impeccables)

1. perfect, faultless, impeccable

Further reading

• “impeccable” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).