indomitable
UK[ɪnˈdɒmɪtəbl]US[ɪnˈdɑːmɪtəbl]
adj
impossible to defeat or discourage; unyielding.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
domit
able
in
not
domit
tame
able
capable of
Etymology
the word "indomitable" is built from the negation of the concept of being tamed. its core, the latin verb domare (to tame), is ancient, likely deriving from the proto-indo-european root demh₂- meaning "to domesticate, subdue." the addition of the intensive suffix in domitare strengthened the sense of bringing under control. prefixed with the negative "in-" and suffixed with "-able," the literal construction means "not capable of being tamed or subdued." this concrete sense of an untameable spirit or force evolved seamlessly into its modern abstract meaning, describing an unconquerable will or an unbeatable quality.
Analysis
Structure: in (not) + domit (tame) + able (capable of)
- in: a latin prefix meaning "not".
- domit: from the latin verb domitare, a frequentative of domare, meaning "to tame, subdue".
- able: a suffix of latin origin via french, meaning "capable of, fit for".
Examples
the team's indomitable spirit led them to victory against all odds.
she faced the long recovery with indomitable courage.
the indomitable force of the hurricane caused widespread destruction.