inconsolable
UK[ˌɪnkənˈsəʊləbl̩]US[ˌɪnkənˈsoʊləbl̩]
adj
unable to be comforted or cheered after a disappointment or loss
Morpheme Breakdown
in
con
solable
in
not
con
together
solable
able to be comforted
Etymology
the word inconsolable is built upon the latin verb 'solari', meaning 'to comfort or soothe'. the prefix 'con-' intensifies this action, suggesting a thorough comforting, while the suffix '-able' renders it passive, meaning 'able to be comforted'. the negative prefix 'in-' is then applied, effectively negating the entire concept to mean 'not able to be comforted'. this logical construction, from the act of soothing to the state of being beyond it, precisely captures the profound and persistent grief described by the modern word.
Analysis
Structure: in (not) + con (together) + solable (able to be comforted)
in- (latin, prefix meaning 'not'); con- (latin, variant of 'com-' meaning 'together, with'); solable (from latin 'solari' meaning 'to comfort', with english suffix '-able' meaning 'capable of')
Examples
the child was inconsolable after losing her favorite toy.
he was inconsolable in his grief for weeks following the tragic news.
despite their best efforts, the parents found their daughter inconsolable.