inaccuracy
UK[ɪnˈækjərəsi]US[ɪnˈækjərəsi]
n
the quality or state of being not accurate or exact; the fact of containing mistakes.
n
a statement, detail, or result that is not accurate; an error.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
accuracy
in
not
accuracy
exactness
Etymology
the word 'inaccuracy' is a relatively modern english formation, built upon the established noun 'accuracy'. the core of the word, 'accuracy', entered english in the late 17th century from latin 'accuratia', meaning "carefulness, exactness", itself from the verb 'accurare' ("to take care of"). the latin 'accurare' is a compound of 'ad-' ("to") and 'cura' ("care"), with 'cura' tracing back to the proto-indo-european root kʷeis- ("to heed"). the prefix 'in-', a direct borrowing from latin, is one of the language's most common negators. therefore, 'inaccuracy' logically constructs its meaning by directly appending this negation to 'accuracy', creating a term that signifies the state or instance of lacking care, exactness, or correctness.
Analysis
Structure: in (not) + accuracy (exactness)
- in: a prefix of latin origin, meaning "not" or "without". it functions as a negative particle.
- accuracy: a noun of latin origin, derived from 'accuratus' meaning "done with care". it functions as the base word denoting exactness or correctness.
Examples
the report was criticized for its factual inaccuracy.
even a minor inaccuracy in the data can skew the final results.
he apologized for the inaccuracy of his earlier statement.