inconclusive
UK[ˌɪnkənˈkluːsɪv]US[ˌɪnkənˈkluːsɪv]
adj
not leading to a definite conclusion or result
adj
not settling an issue or dispute
Morpheme Breakdown
in
con
clusive
in
not
con
together
clusive
closing
Etymology
the word inconclusive is built from three latin-derived elements. the prefix 'in-' negates the meaning of the core word. the root 'conclusive' itself comes from the latin verb 'concludere', which combines 'con-' (together) and 'claudere' (to shut, to close). literally, 'concludere' meant to shut up or enclose something, which evolved to mean bringing a matter to an end or reaching a final decision. therefore, 'inconclusive' literally means "not bringing things together to a close," leading to its modern sense of not providing a final or definite result.
Analysis
Structure: in (not) + con (together) + clusive (closing)
- in: latin origin, a prefix meaning "not".
- con: latin origin (from 'cum'), a prefix meaning "together, with".
- clusive: latin origin (from the root of 'claudere', to close, via the past participle stem 'clus-'), a combining form meaning "closing, shutting".
Examples
the scientific study yielded inconclusive results, requiring further research.
after hours of debate, the committee meeting was inconclusive.
the evidence against the suspect was largely circumstantial and therefore inconclusive.