incompatible
UK[ˌɪnkəmˈpætəbl̩]US[ˌɪnkəmˈpæt̬əbl̩]
adj
not able to exist or work with another person or thing because of basic differences
adj
(of two substances) not able to be mixed or used together without causing problems
Morpheme Breakdown
in
com
patible
in
not
com
together
patible
suffering, enduring
Etymology
the word 'incompatible' is built from latin components. the core idea originates from the latin verb 'pati', meaning "to suffer or endure," which gave rise to 'patibilis' ("able to be endured"). the prefix 'com-' adds the sense of "together," so 'compatibilis' in late latin meant "able to be endured together" or "mutually tolerant." the negative prefix 'in-' reverses this meaning, resulting in "not able to be endured together." this literal sense of being unable to coexist peacefully evolved into the modern abstract meaning of things or people being fundamentally mismatched or incapable of harmonious association, whether in character, systems, or chemical properties.
Analysis
Structure: in (not) + com (together) + patible (suffering, enduring)
in- (latin origin, a prefix meaning "not"); com- (latin origin, a variant of 'cum', meaning "together"); -patible (from latin 'patibilis', meaning "suffering, enduring", from the verb 'pati' meaning "to suffer, endure").
Examples
the two software programs are incompatible and cannot run on the same system.
their political views were so incompatible that a partnership was impossible.
oil and water are famously incompatible substances.