Emily Dickinson Lexicon

IM-POS'SI-BLE, a. [Fr. from L. impossibilis; in and possibilis, from possum, to be able.]

1. That can not be. It is impossible that two and two should make five, or that a circle and a square should be the same thing, or that a thing should be and not be at the same time.
2. Impracticable; not feasible; that can not be done. With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Matth. xix. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Heb. xi. There are two kinds of impossibilities; physical and moral. That is a physical impossibility, which is contrary to the law of nature. A thing is said to be morally impossible, when in itself it is possible, but attended with difficulties or circumstances which give it the appearance of being impossible. [See Possible, Practicable and Impracticable.] Encyc.