Incompatible, a.
Etymology: [Pref. in- not + compatible: cf. F. incompatible.]
[It was formerly sometimes written incompetible.]
1. Not compatible; so differing as to be incapable of harmonious combination or coexistence; inconsistent in thought or being; irreconcilably disagreeing; as, persons of incompatible tempers; incompatible colors, desires, ambition. A strength and obduracy of character incompatible with his meek and innocent nature. Southey.
2. (Chem.)
Incapable of being together without mutual reaction or decomposition, as certain medicines. Incompatible terms (Logic), terms which can not be combined in thought.
1 more senses
Syn. -- Inconsistent; incongruous; dissimilar; irreconcilable; unsuitable; disagreeing; inharmonious; discordant; repugnant; contradictory. See Inconsistent.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Incompatible, n. (Med. & Chem.)
An incompatible substance; esp., in pl., things which can not be placed or used together because of a change of chemical composition or of opposing medicinal qualities; as, the incompatibles of iron.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for incompatible; he lists it under incongruous.
Where he writes about it:
Incompatible primarily signifies unable to sympathize or feel alike; inconsistent means unable to stand together. — from incongruous
Things are incompatible which can not exist together in harmonious relations, and whose action when associated tends to ultimate extinction of one by the other. — from incongruous
Inconsistent applies to things that can not be made to agree in thought with each other, or with some standard of truth or right; slavery and freedom are inconsistent with each other in theory, and incompatible in fact. — from incongruous