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unplumbed

unplumbed

1 9.9
Too deep to be measured or explored
  • adjective
  • /ʌnˈplʌmpt/
  • Literature
translation icon : inexplorado
  • Then he vanished, in search of the unplumbed reaches of the Amazon, but not before I winked out too.
  • unplumbed depths

Examples

  • So there were some unplumbed depths in her.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Follow me, and I shall point out the unplumbed and plumbingless depths.

  • She says she always knew Tim had certain unplumbed depths, but this is ridiculous.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • The materials embodied so briefly here are very rich and largely unplumbed by thematization and careful theoretical development.

    Blog text (13)
  • "Indeed it is, one which places a decorous cover over the unplumbed abyss of our ignorance, you might say."

    Fiction book (1996)
  • The narrator of Lovecraft's tale is a geologist who has brought to the Antarctic a remarkable new drill that can go to unplumbed depths.

    Academic text (1997)
  • And it seems that it is this very nakedness that constitutes the fascination of Mudzunga's performances for art audiences, who do not know but sense the unplumbed depth of the lake in which he swims as he enters the drum.

    Academic text (2006)
  • They had an ebullient but unplumbed faith in applied science, which Meira Mattos (1980, 147) asserted had broken "the tyranny of geography."

    Academic text (1992)
  • The scientist's research revealed many unplumbed mysteries about the ocean floor.

  • Despite his calm demeanor, there were unplumbed emotions lurking beneath the surface.

Synonyms

uncharted
vsunplumbed
42 6.5

A place not yet explored or mapped

limits this to places that have not been sounded or measured for depth
unexplored
vsunplumbed
21 4.9

Not yet found or studied

highlights that the main issue is depth measurement, not just general discovery
unturned
vsunplumbed
5 5.7

Not looked at or checked when people search for answers

is narrower, meaning specifically not measured or sounded for depth
unmapped
vsunplumbed
2 6.6

An area not yet shown on a map

focuses on depth measurement rather than cartographic absence
untraveled
vsunplumbed
  • US
1 6.3

A path or area that no one has visited

implies unexplored deep measurements rather than simply no visitation
unsounded
vsunplumbed
  • Specialized
1 9.8

Too deep to measure, often about water or caves

is the same idea but emphasises the act of measuring with a plumb line
unfathomed
vsunplumbed
1 9.9

Too deep or mysterious to understand

focuses more on literal depth measurement rather than mystery or understanding
unsearched
vsunplumbed
1 4.9

Not looked through or checked for something

implies a deeper, measurement-focused lack of exploration rather than simple inspection
unresearched
vsunplumbed
1 5.9

Not carefully studied and without good proof

is about physical depth or sounding rather than absence of research
untracked
vsunplumbed
1 7.7

A place where there are no paths or roads and very few people have been

is about lack of depth measurement rather than absence of travel routes
unpenetrated
vsunplumbed
9.1

Not yet explored or understood

stresses specifically that the unknown depth has not been measured or sounded
unsurveyed
vsunplumbed
7.0

An area not measured or mapped, often land

is about vertical depth not mapping or surveying of territory
unpathed
vsunplumbed
9.6

Land where people do not walk, often far from towns

is about being unmeasured in depth rather than lacking surface tracks
unnavigated
vsunplumbed
9.1

A place with no clear paths that people have not explored

concerns absence of sounding or depth measurement rather than navigation history

Antonyms

7 7.4

To examine something deeply to learn more about it

How Explored

unknown
41 6.1
unplumbed
  • Literature
1 9.9

Surface Forms

unplumbed positive

Morphology

unplumbed = plumbed (semi-transparent) = un + plumb + ed

The prefix 'un-' negates the verb 'plumbed', but the specific meaning of 'unplumbed' as unexplored or too deep is not entirely obvious.

Etymology

Unplumbed starts with un- meaning 'not' and plumb from an old word for a lead weight on a line used to measure depth. So unplumbed means 'not measured' or 'not explored', which is why we use it for deep places or unknown ideas.