infallible
Infallible is an adjective describing something that is incapable of making mistakes or being wrong. In everyday language it may describe a person, belief, or system that is exceptionally reliable; in practice, speakers often use it hyperbolically to express strong confidence. In philosophy and epistemology, infallibility is considered in relation to the possibility of error: even strong theories may be fallible, and most knowledge is treated as provisional rather than certain.
Etymology: the word comes from Latin infallibilis, formed with in- “not” + fallibilis “liable to err,” from
Religious doctrine: in Roman Catholicism, papal infallibility is a defined doctrine stating that the pope, when
Secular usage and criticism: in non-religious contexts, infallibility is typically treated as an ideal, not a