indelible
UK[ɪnˈdeləbl̩]US[ɪnˈdeləbl̩]
adj
impossible to remove, erase, or forget; making marks that cannot be removed.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
del
ible
in
not
del
delete/efface
ible
capable of being
Etymology
the word "indelible" traces its lineage directly to latin. it is formed from the combination of the negative prefix "in-" and the adjective "delebilis," which means "able to be destroyed." "Delebilis" itself derives from the verb "delēre," signifying "to destroy, wipe out, or erase." the core logic is perfectly preserved: something "indelible" is literally "not able to be erased or destroyed." this meaning was first applied literally to inks or marks that could not be removed from a surface, and later expanded metaphorically to describe permanent impressions on the memory or character.
Analysis
Structure: in (not) + del (delete/efface) + ible (capable of being)
- in: a latin prefix meaning "not".
- del: from the latin root "delēre", meaning "to delete, to efface, to destroy".
- ible: a latin suffix meaning "capable of being, able to be".
Examples
the indelible ink prevented any alteration of the official document.
her kindness left an indelible impression on everyone she met.
childhood experiences can be indelible, shaping a person's entire life.