inadequately
Meaning
in a way that is not good enough, or too low in quality or ability
in a way that lacks the necessary qualities or ability to deal with a situation
Structure
Usage
the system was inadequately funded from the start.
he felt inadequately prepared for the important exam.
the report was criticized for inadequately addressing the main safety concerns.
Etymology
the word inadequately is built upon the latin foundation for sufficiency. the core adjective 'adequate' originates from the latin verb 'adaequare', meaning "to make equal to", itself derived from 'ad-' (to) and 'aequus' (equal, level). the negative prefix 'in-' (not) was attached in latin to form 'inadequatus', creating the sense of "not made equal to" or insufficient. this latinate adjective was adopted into english, and the native germanic adverbial suffix '-ly' was appended, following a common english pattern, to form the adverb describing the manner of being insufficient or not up to a required standard.
Analysis
- in: a latin prefix meaning "not" or "without". - adequate: from latin 'adaequatus', meaning "made equal to, sufficient". in english, it functions as the core adjective. - ly: an old english suffix used to form adverbs from adjectives.