indemnity
UK[ɪnˈdemnəti]US[ɪnˈdemnəti]
n
protection against possible damage or loss, especially in the form of a promise to pay for any such damage or loss that happens.
n
a sum of money paid as compensation for damage or loss.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
demn
ity
in
not, without
demn
loss, damage
ity
Etymology
the word indemnity originates from latin 'indemnis', meaning 'unhurt, free from loss', which itself is formed from the negative prefix 'in-' and 'damnum' (loss, damage). the latin term evolved through late latin 'indemnitas' into middle french 'indemnité', before entering english in the late 15th century. the core logic connects the state of being without loss to the modern concepts of financial security and compensation. thus, indemnity literally means the state or condition of being free from loss, which evolved into the legal and financial promise to make one whole again after a loss.
Analysis
Structure: in + demn + ity
in- (latin prefix, meaning 'not, without'); demn (latin root, from 'damnum', meaning 'loss, damage'); -ity (latin suffix, forming nouns indicating a state or condition).
Examples
the contract includes a clause providing indemnity against any legal claims.
the company paid a large indemnity to the victims of the accident.
many insurance policies offer indemnity for property damage.