inconsiderable
UK[ˌɪnkənˈsɪd(ə)rəbl̩]US[ˌɪnkənˈsɪd(ə)rəbl̩]
adj
too small or unimportant to be worth consideration; insignificant.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
consider
able
in
not
consider
think
able
capable of
Etymology
the word 'inconsiderable' is a layered negation built upon the verb 'consider'. its core, 'consider', originates from latin 'considerare', a compound of 'con-' (with, together) and 'sider-' (star), suggesting the original sense of observing the stars carefully. the suffix '-able' was attached to form 'considerable', meaning "worthy of consideration or significant." finally, the latin negative prefix 'in-' was prefixed to reverse the meaning, creating 'inconsiderable' to describe something not worthy of consideration. this etymological journey illustrates how a term for celestial observation evolved into a word for careful thought, and through systematic affixation, into its modern sense of triviality.
Analysis
Structure: in (not) + consider (think) + able (capable of)
- in: latin origin, a prefix meaning "not".
- consider: latin origin, from 'considerare' meaning "to look at closely, think about".
- able: latin/french origin, a suffix forming adjectives meaning "capable of, fit for, or worthy of".
Examples
the sum of money involved was inconsiderable and not worth arguing over.
he made several inconsiderable errors that did not affect the overall outcome of the experiment.
the differences between the two designs are inconsiderable and largely cosmetic.