What does infusible mean?
Infusible is a formal, chiefly technical adjective meaning unable to be fused or melted. Such substances are described as refractory because they resist high temperatures without becoming liquid, making terms such as infusible brick, ceramic, and material common in industrial contexts. The word can also be used more narrowly for something unable to receive or undergo an infusion, although this sense is uncommon in modern medical language. In general discussion, infusible carries a strongly technical character rather than the figurative suggestion of stubbornness associated with some related expressions. Its usefulness lies in identifying a precise physical limitation: unlike fusible, which describes a material capable of being melted, infusible explicitly identifies resistance to fusion or melting. The term is most often encountered in metallurgy, ceramics, furnace construction, and other discussions of heat-resistant substances.
Unable to be fused or melted; refractory.
"The alloy forms an infusible layer that protects the underlying steel."
Chiefly used in metallurgy, ceramics, and industrial materials science.
Not capable of receiving or undergoing an infusion.
"The catheter was found to be infusible, so the infusion was stopped."
This sense is uncommon and belongs mainly to medical or technical usage.
Refractory materials are infusible: they resist being melted into a liquid.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does infusible come from?
Infusible was formed with the negative prefix in- and fusible, following the pattern of fusibilis in Neo-Latin. Fusible comes from Latin fusibilis, meaning capable of being melted or fused, ultimately from fundere, “to pour” or “melt.” The related English words fuse, fusion, infuse, and infusion belong to the same Latin family.
Related word forms
How infusible is actually used
Chiefly formal and technical. In metallurgy and materials science, it describes substances that cannot readily be melted; the medical sense concerning infusion is much rarer.
Easily confused with infusible
Fusible means capable of being melted or fused, whereas infusible means unable to undergo fusion.