inextinguishable
UK[ˌɪnɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃəbl]US[ˌɪnɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃəbl]
adj
impossible to extinguish, quench, or destroy
Morpheme Breakdown
in
ex
tinguish
able
in
not
ex
out
tinguish
quench
able
capable of
Etymology
The word 'inextinguishable' is built upon the core Latin verb stinguere, meaning "to quench" or "to extinguish". The prefix ex- (out) was added to form exstinguere/exstinguere, intensifying the sense to "put out completely". This passed into English as 'extinguish'. The negative prefix in- (not) was then attached to create the opposite meaning, "not able to be put out". Finally, the adjectival suffix -able was appended, completing the journey to its modern sense of describing something that cannot be quenched, destroyed, or ended, such as a fire, light, or abstract quality like hope or spirit.
Analysis
Structure: in (not) + ex (out) + tinguish (quench) + able (capable of)
- in: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "not".
- ex: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "out".
- tinguish: From Latin stinguere (to quench, extinguish), adapted into the English spelling 'tinguish' as seen in 'extinguish'.
- able: Latin/French origin, a suffix forming adjectives meaning "capable of, fit for, or worthy of".
Examples
The survivors clung to an inextinguishable hope of rescue.
He felt an inextinguishable passion for justice that fueled his life's work.
The memorial flame is designed to be inextinguishable.