More than you need to know...

A few days previous, chaoticmoth posted the question:

Is it possible to create a word whose definition is that the word itself is impossible to define?


The other day, I posted it on the LJ conlangs site to see what they thought. Here's some answers...

From mirisa_ardruna…

Hmm... It's probably POSSIBLE, though I'm not entirely sure how it would be used within a sentence. Now, words that are essentially impossible to TRANSLATE, that's a whole different issue. ^_^


From cythraul…

Tao-ism includes the belief that "the Tao that can be described is not the true Tao"...


From galrudula…

If it's impossible to define, then either...
1.) The language it's being defined in is inadequate
2.) It's an adjective meaning 'unable to be fully defined', so you could use it to describe something like true enlightenment. Even the Buddha's best attempt at explaining it was just holding up a rose.


From ouwiyaru…
easy, Truth.


From kiaransalyn…

Is it possible to create a word whose definition is that the word itself is impossible to define?

You could have a situation where one tries to find a word to describe the moment before an idea truly crystalises and takes shape, by giving it a name you have actually changed the meaning of the word.

For example, the culture your conlang belongs to may wish to describe what the uiverse was like before their creator deity spoke the word (or words) that made all things begin. Before the deity speaks all things have a limitless potential and could concievably be anything however by attempting to give this state a name (in a way mimicking the divine word) the speaker enacts a change, therefore the meaning of the new word has changed.

Obviously, 'No' is a simpler answer to your question but it's not as much fun.


From spintrian
I think it's called ineffability.

However, a word which is impossible to define would rapidly become meaningless.