all-encompassing

The word "all-encompassing" is a modern English compound adjective formed in the 19th century. It logically combines the universal quantifier "all," meaning "entirely," with the present participle of the verb "encompass," which itself means "to surround or include." The verb "encompass" entered English via Old French, tracing back to a Vulgar Latin concept of "measuring by steps around" something. Thus, the term's literal sense of "completely surrounding" evolved seamlessly into its modern abstract meaning of being totally inclusive or comprehensive, leaving nothing out of its scope.

Structure: all + en + compassing - all: From Old English eall, meaning "entire, whole, every." Functions as an intensifying prefix meaning "completely." - en: A prefix from Old English en-, in-, used to form verbs, meaning "to put into, to cause to be." In this compound, it is part of the verb "encompass." - compassing: The present participle form of the verb "encompass," derived from Old French encompasser, meaning "to surround, enclose." The root "compass" comes from Latin com- (together) + passus (step, pace).